Silica-derived materials from agro-industrial waste biomass: Characterization and comparative studies

• Published in: Environmental research 2023-08, Vol.231 (Pt 1), p.116002-116002, Article 116002
• Main Authors: Morales-Paredes, Carlos Augusto, Rodríguez-Linzán, Imelda, Saquete, María Dolores, Luque, Rafael, Osman, Sameh M., Boluda-Botella, Nuria, Joan Manuel, Rodríguez-Díaz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural waste; Biomass; Cellulose - chemistry; Characterization; Green synthesis; Industrial Waste; Saccharum - chemistry; Silica; Silicon Dioxide - chemistry; Surface properties
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116002

The management and final disposal of agro-industrial wastes are one of the main environmental problems. Due to the presence of silica in some agricultural by-products, it is possible to convert waste into materials with advanced properties. This contribution was aimed to extract and characterize silica materials from various feedstocks including sugarcane bagasse (SCB), corn stalk (CS), and rice husk (RH). Silica yields of 17.91%, 9.39%, and 3.25% were obtained for RH, CS, and SCB. On the other hand, the textural properties show that the siliceous materials exhibited mesoporous structures, with high silica composition in the materials due to the formation of crystalline SiO2 for SCB and CS and amorphous for RH. XPS spectra demonstrate the presence of Si4+ species in RH, and Si3+/Si4+ tetrahedra in SCB and CS. [Display omitted] •High purity silica was synthesized from agricultural waste.•The thermochemical process used is low-cost and environmentally sustainable.•The surface characteristics of biosilica are related to the biomass structure.•CS and RH silica presented better BET area and lower crystallinity than SCB silica.•The properties of CS biosilica are attractive for its valorization and application.