The facile synthesis of a nanoscale composite from fly ash and lime stone

Abstract

Here we report the synthesis of a nanocomposite SiO2/CaCO3 by extraction of SiO2 from fly ash and CaCO3 from limestone via the sol-gel method followed by ultrasonication. The preliminary analysis of SEM has been used to characterize the nanocomposite. Results showed that the synthesized material has a nanoscale structures and a typical similarity of composition compared to quartz, vaterite, and calcite respectively. Size distribution of nanocomposite was better than PCC, a conventional paper filler used in paper industry. The application of nanocomposite as paper filler would promise the better physical properties improvement. In terms of efficiency, the estimation of production cost by using nanocomposite would be lower than the conventional filler such as PCC. The utilization of hazardous waste from coal combustion would be also important to develop a green framework of pulp & paper industry.