Abstract
Bio-nanosilica (bio-SiO2) from rice husk ash (RHA) has attracted interest as a sustainable material that can be used as a catalyst support for various applications. Pt supported on bio-SiO2 (Pt/SiO2) shows the potential for application as a non-carbon based support for fuel cell catalysts. In this work, bio-SiO2 and Pt/SiO2 were synthesized, and their physicochemical properties were characterized. The temperature of rice husk combustion was varied from 700 °C to 800 °C for 1 h prior to alkaline precipitation to produce bio-SiO2. The results of field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the bio-SiO2 prepared at 800 °C formed vivid monodispersed nanoparticles with sizes of 20–40 nm. Amine functionalization was performed prior to the anchorage of Pt nanoparticles at different Pt/SiO2 ratios. X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analyses revealed that Pt had been successfully anchored onto bio-SiO2. The optimal Pt-to-SiO2 ratio was 1:2. Pt nanoparticles were uniformly distributed over the functionalized bio-SiO2. Other samples demonstrated Pt agglomeration on certain areas of bio-SiO2 and were thus not useful as electrocatalysts for the electrochemical reaction in fuel cells.
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