Utilization of Guinea corn (Sughurm vulgare) Husk for Preparation of Bio-based Silica and it’s Characterization Studies

Abstract

Bio-based silica was prepared from Guinea corn Husk within the context of sustainable chemistry. The Guinea corn Husk was leached in dilute HCl, washed, dried and calcined at 650 o C for 4hr. The resultant ash was digested in 2M NaOH solution, precipitated by adding H2SO4 and then washed to remove sulphate by-product. The siliceous materials were characterized using SEM-EDX, FTIR and XRD to investigate its composition and morphology, functional groups and the phase respectively. The elemental investigation revealed Si as major element in the ash. The presence of Si-O-Si (siloxane) and Si-OH (silanol) were confirmed by FTIR of the silica. The SEM micrograph of the silica also showed agglomeration of regular spherical particles in the morphology. The XRD pattern of the siliceous material indicated an amorphous form of the product. Guinea corn Husk as an agricultural waste can be a sustainable means for silica and other siliceous materials.