Effect of Molar Ratio of Feed on the Facile Synthesis of Silicon Nanosheets from Laboratory Waste Glass

Abstract

AbstractSilicon nanomaterials have been explored as a promising material in various application areas including photovoltaics and flat-panel displays due to its novel properties, high abundance, and bio-benignity. Furthermore, it is unique nanoscale structure and surface chemistry have shown outstanding performance in many fields such as sensors, drug delivery systems, catalysis, energy vehicles, smart devices and anode material for Li-ion batteries, etc. In the past two decades, several methods have been proposed for the synthesis of Si nanomaterial. Among those, magnesiothermic reduction method has been found to be a low cost and attractive synthetic route for porous silicon using sources such as rice husk, beach sand, windshields, optical fibres and LCD glass substrates. Disposal of tonnes of waste glasses has led to massive land pollution. Therefore, recycling of those waste glasses can contribute in solid waste management. In the present study, silicon nanosheets (S–NS) have been synthesized by directly converting laboratory waste glasswares using facile metallothermic reduction method. Magnesium powder has been used as the reducing agent for the reduction of the silica contained in the waste glass to silicon. Effect of the molar ratio of Mg and feed glass on the preparation of Si-NS has been studied by keeping all other reaction parameters constant. The surface morphology, elemental analysis and phase studies with purity of the precursors and the products are studied using scanning electron microscopy with X-ray energy–dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometer.KeywordsBorosilicate glassMagnesiumMagnesiothermic reductionSiliconNanosheet