Effect of Rice Husk Firing Temperature on Synthesis of Silica (SiO2)

This paper presents the synthesis of silica (SiO2) from rice husk at different firing temperatures. Due to the environmental awareness and to reduce air pollution, agricultural wastes specifically rice husk is used to produce SiO2. Silica was prepared by washing with clean water without any chemical treatment. The rice husk was fired at 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100 and 1200°C. In order to determine the effect of firing rice husk at different temperature, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted. Crystalline silica were obtained at 1100°C and 1200°C firing temperature. At 900°C and 1000°C firing temperature, silica was observed to be in a transitional phase of amorphous into crystalline or it called as semi crystalline. However, at 700°C and 800°C silica remains to be in amorphous phases.