Formation Of Silica Research Articles

Enhanced Olivine Reactivity in Wet Supercritical CO2 for Engineered Mineral Carbon Sequestration.

The success of CO2 mineralization as a potential solution for reducing carbon emissions hinges on understanding chemical interactions between basaltic minerals and CO2-charged fluids. This study provides a detailed analysis of olivine dissolution in CO2-water mixtures at 90 and 150 °C, 2-9 MPa, and for 8 and 24 h, in both water- and CO2-dominant conditions. By using olivine crystal sections instead of powders, surface agitation is prevented, closing the gap between laboratory studies and natural settings. Surface chemistry, texture, and cross-sectional properties were examined pre- and postreaction using a multiscale approach combining spectroscopic and imaging techniques. Results show that wet supercritical CO2 environments lead to significant olivine dissolution, forming Mg-depleted, Si-enriched etched surfaces, and under certain conditions, the formation of passivating silica precipitates. In contrast, reactions in aqueous fluids caused minimal changes in surface chemistry and texture with no silica precipitation. These observations indicate that reaction extent in the CO2-rich phase is greater relative to water-rich mixtures at equivalent temperature, pressure, and reaction duration. The presence of silica precipitates incorporating leached metals indicates limited transport of reactant away from reaction sites in a CO2-rich medium. This study semi-quantitatively evaluates reaction extents in both CO2-rich and aqueous systems across a wide range of parameters, demonstrating faster mineralization in CO2-rich environments and highlighting their potential for enhancing the CO2 storage efficiency.

Silicon dioxide atomic layer deposition at low temperature for PDMS microlenses coating

The optical performance of a microlens is strongly affected by its surface roughness, which depends on its fabrication process. High-surface roughness leads to scattering issues, decreasing the optical efficiency of a microlens. In this work, a polydimethylsiloxane microlens was coated with a very thin-film of silicon dioxide (30 nm), deposited by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition at a low temperature (50 °C). The main goal was to passivate the polymeric microlens and reduce its surface roughness. Atomic force microscopy was performed before and after the silicon dioxide coating, confirming the surface roughness reduction by a factor of 3.2. The microlens was observed by scanning electron microscopy after silicon dioxide coating. Surface elemental composition analysis of the silicon dioxide thin-film was also performed through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, confirming the formation of silicon dioxide and a stoichiometric ratio of silicon to oxygen (Si:O) close to 27:58. The refractive index of the deposited film was measured by ellipsometry, obtaining a value of 1.4617 at 470 nm.

The Fate of “Immobile” Ti in Hyaloclastites: An Evidence from Silica–Iron-Rich Sedimentary Rocks of the Urals Paleozoic Massive Sulfide Deposits

The formation of Paleozoic silica–iron-rich sedimentary rocks in the Urals volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits is considered a result of seafloor alteration of hyaloclastites mixed with calcareous/organic or sulfide material. These rocks host various Ti mineral phases pointing to the transformation of precursor metacolloidal TiO2 phases to disordered anatase during seafloor alteration of hyaloclastites, which was later converted to globules and clusters and further to diagenetic rutile. The LA-ICP-MS analysis showed that the Ti content of hyaloclasts partly replaced by finely dispersed Si–Fe aggregates increases to 540–2950 ppm and decreases (<5 ppm) in full Si–Fe pseudomorphs after hyaloclasts. LA-ICP-MS element mapping reveals the enrichment in V, U, Cr, W, Nb, Pb, and Th of the anatase globules and the local accumulation of Zr, Y, and REE on their periphery. Corrosive biogenic textures in the outer zones of some hyaloclasts and biomorphic aggregates in rocks contain anatase particles in assemblage with apatite indicating the biophilic properties of Ti. This work fills the knowledge gaps about Ti mobilization during low-temperature seafloor alteration of hyaloclastites in VHMS deposits.

Simulation of chemical reactions with methanol and oxalic acid on 4H-SiC surfaces before and after nanoabrasion

Previous work by our team has shown that not only can oxalic acid added to a reactive methanol polishing solution significantly further improve SiC polishing removal rate but also surface quality. However, due to the lack of fundamental information on the nature of the interfacial reaction, the reaction mechanism involved in continuously improving SiC polishing performance remains unresolved. This study explores the chemical interactions of pristine and nano-scratched surfaces with the reaction medium using a molecular dynamics (MD) model combined with the ReaxFF reaction force field. The results show that –OH and –CHn, methanol can effectively break the Si-C bond on the surface of silicon carbide and the high amount of OH and C=O in oxalic acid favors the formation of surface silicon oxides and the softening of the silicon carbide surface. The synergistic effect of oxalic acid and methanol in the pre-scratch system indirectly supports the notion that nanoabrasion caused by nano-abrasives enhances the chemical reactivity of polishing fluid components. In conjunction with the experimental data, a proposed reaction mechanism for organic acid-containing alcohol fluids with SiC based on non-aqueous solvent systems is presented. This may stimulate ideas for better developing and applying novel non-aqueous-based polishing fluids.

Variations of silicon species, dissolution and crystallinity within sichars prepared under different heating rate

Silicon within Si-rich biochars (sichar) plays a crucial role in immobilizing heavy metals and providing slow-releasing bioavailable silicon for silicophilic plants. However, the impact of heating rate on the silicon properties and carbon‑silicon interactions in sichars remains unclear. In this study, rice husk was used as a silicon-rich biomass to prepare sichars at different heating rates (10, 30 and 60 °C per minute, and ultra-fast-pyrolysis), then experiments such as silicon concentration measurement, Raman and XRD characterization were conducted. The results showed that a faster heating rate reduced the carbon content during pyrolysis while promoted the formation of amorphous silica, resulting in a threefold increase in dissolved silicon in sichars prepared at 400 °C. Additionally, we observed the formation of a meta-stable SiO2 polymorph (tridymite) in rice husk-derived biochars under fast heating, differing from the previously observed quartz generated at slow heating rates. Regarding the CSi relationship, a faster heating rate facilitated the removal of the surface carbon layer, exposing the underlying silicon layer. This led to more soluble silicon species and less encapsulated silicon, resulting in a continuous release and cumulative silicon dissolution amount 1.2 times and 1.6–1.9 times higher, respectively, than those in slow heating rate-derived sichars. Consequently, this enhanced silicon uptake in rice seedlings. Our findings indicate that beyond pyrolysis temperature, the heating rate significantly affects the silicon species, silicon dissolution behavior, and carbon‑silicon relationships of biochar, ultimately determines the properties and applications of sichars.

Thin Ga2O3 Layers by Thermal Oxidation of van der Waals GaSe Nanostructures for Ultraviolet Photon Sensing.

Two-dimensional semiconductors (2DSEM) based on van der Waals crystals offer important avenues for nanotechnologies beyond the constraints of Moore's law and traditional semiconductors, such as silicon (Si). However, their application necessitates precise engineering of material properties and scalable manufacturing processes. The ability to oxidize Si to form silicon dioxide (SiO2) was crucial for the adoption of Si in modern technologies. Here, we report on the thermal oxidation of the 2DSEM gallium selenide (GaSe). The nanometer-thick layers are grown by molecular beam epitaxy on transparent sapphire (Al2O3) and feature a centro-symmetric polymorph of GaSe. Thermal annealing of the layers in an oxygen-rich environment promotes the chemical transformation and full conversion of GaSe into a thin layer of crystalline Ga2O3, paralleled by the formation of coherent Ga2O3/Al2O3 interfaces. Versatile functionalities are demonstrated in photon sensors based on GaSe and Ga2O3, ranging from electrical insulation to unfiltered deep ultraviolet optoelectronics, unlocking the technological potential of GaSe nanostructures and their amorphous and crystalline oxides.

The Oxidation of ZrB2/MoSi2 Ceramics in Dissociated Air: The Influence of the Elaboration Technique.

In order to investigate the most extreme conditions in which materials potentially applicable in reusable thermal shields can be operated, ultra-high-temperature ZrB2 ceramics with 20 vol.% MoSi2 were prepared using two different techniques, cold isostatic pressing (CIP) and robocasting (RC, an additive manufacturing technique), followed by consolidation using pressureless spark plasma sintering (SPS). The oxidation behavior of the resulting materials was analyzed in low-pressure dissociated air at three different temperatures, namely 1800, 2000 and 2200 K. Using XRD and surface and cross-section SEM (coupled with EDS), zirconia was found to form at all three temperatures, while silica was only present at 1800 K, with gaseous SiO forming at a higher temperature. The elaboration technique influences the density of the ceramic, and less dense materials undergo deeper oxidation. This investigation suggests that 2000 K is already beyond the maximum temperature threshold at which damage to ceramics is limited by the formation of protective silica. This study confirms that the selected material is a promising candidate for thermal protection applications.

An Atomistic View on the Mechanism of Diatom Peptide-Guided Biomimetic Silica Formation.

Deciphering nature's remarkable way of encoding functions in its biominerals holds the potential to enable the rational development of nature-inspired materials with tailored properties. However, the complex processes that convert solution-state precursors into solid biomaterials remain largely unknown. In this study, an unconventional approach is presented to characterize these precursors for the diatom-derived peptides R5 and synthetic Silaffin-1A1 (synSil-1A1). These molecules can form defined supramolecular assemblies in solution, which act as templates for solid silica structures. Using a tailored structural biology toolbox, the structure-function relationships of these self-assemblies are unveiled. NMR-derived constraints are employed to enable a recently developed fractal-cluster formalism and then reveal the architecture of the peptide assemblies in atomistic detail. Finally, by monitoring the self-assembly activities during silica formation at simultaneous high temporal and residue resolution using real-time spectroscopy, the mechanism is elucidated underlying template-driven silica formation. Thus, it is demonstrated how to exercise morphology control over bioinorganic solids by manipulating the template architectures. It is found that the morphology of the templates is translated into the shape of bioinorganic particles via a mechanism that includes silica nucleation on the solution-state complexes' surfaces followed by complete surface coating and particle precipitation.

Influence of anions on the structural and catalytic properties of CTA-MCM-41

CTA-MCM-41 — Mobil Composition of Matter 41 with cetyltrimethylammonium cations (CTA+) — is a hybrid silica known for its high basic catalytic activity due to anionic silanolate sites (Si−O-) that are bound to CTA+. The synthesis of this material depends on the properties of CTA+ micelles in aqueous dispersion which, in turn, depend on the surrounding anions. Thus, this study investigated different types and amounts of anions in the synthesis of CTA-MCM-41. Chloride (Cl-), bromide (Br-), iodide (I-), nitrate (NO3-) and hydroxide (OH-) anions in sodium form were added to the synthesis mixture, and the obtained silicas were tested in the transesterification reaction. It is hereby presented a comprehensive study on how micelles-anion interfaces play a key role in the synthesis of this important hybrid silica catalyst, and it was possible to synthesize a more active basic catalyst than the conventional CTA-MCM-41, just by exploring such surface chemistry effects. Three significant features are highlighted: (1) improved catalytic activity of CTA-MCM-41 applied in transesterification; (2) Synthesis of CTA-MCM-41 with higher retention of cations per silica and higher amount of silanolate basic sites; (3) deepening knowledge of the synthesis mechanism of materials from the MCM-41 family. The effects are more pronounced in the order I- > NO3- > Cl-, in accordance with the Hofmeister ion series. Hydroxide anions, however, led to the greatest increase in the number of sites and basic catalytic activity (up to 52.4 %). These results reinforce the validity of the {S+, X-, I-} (S: surfactant; X: anion; I: silica) silica formation mechanism and reveal a synthesis with hydroxide anions that produces a catalyst more active than conventional CTA-MCM-41.

Дослідження впливу параметрів процесу хонінгування силікатними брусками на якість обробленої поверхні

Numerous studies have shown that the kinematics of the honing process, which determines the trajectory of the cutting grain during machining, has a major impact on the parameters of macro- and microrelief. The complex working movement during honing of holes creates favourable conditions for the fuller use of the cutting capacity of the bars and uniform wear of the tool, which positively affects the machining performance and accuracy of the geometric shape of the surface. It is shown that, in this regard, there is a need to investigate the influence of the parameters of the honing process with silicate bars on the quality of the machined surface. The paper presents the results of a study of the effect of the contact pressure of the bars and the axial and circumferential speeds on the quality of the treated surface. The study was performed on a vertical single-spindle honing machine. The samples used were cylinder liners of car engines made of grey alloy cast iron. The evaluation was based on the roughness of the machined surface and the mass removal of metal during machining. The best performance was achieved by those bars that resulted in the lowest roughness of the samples. It was found that with an increase in the circumferential speed, the surface quality improves, and with an increase in the axial speed, it deteriorates after processing with diamond, abrasive and silicate stones. With an increase in the contact pressure of the bars, the surface quality deteriorates after machining with diamond bars and improves after machining with abrasive and silicate bars. It has been proven that the high surface quality after treatment with silicate blocks is due to the formation of amorphous silica during honing, which, under the influence of abrasive grains, falls into the cavities of the treated surface and adheres to the surface, thus saturating the treated surface with silicon oxide. It has been established that with an increase in the axial speed of the bars, metal removal increases, and with an increase in the circumferential speed, it decreases after machining with diamond, abrasive and silicate bars. With an increase in the contact pressure of the stones, metal removal increases after machining with diamond stones and gradually decreases after honing with abrasive and silicate stones. It was found that the metal removal after machining with silicate stones is 2 times less than after honing with diamond stones. It is proposed to set the allowance for finishing honing with silicate stones for cylinder liners made of alloy cast iron (HB 240) within 0.01-0.02 mm.

La-Modified SBA-15 Prepared by Direct Synthesis: Importance of Determining Actual Composition

Lanthanum (La) integration (at various nominal contents) in SBA-15 prepared under acidic medium was intended from corresponding direct nitrate addition during mesoporous silica formation. Materials were impregnated with Pt (1.5 wt%) and studied through several textural (N2 physisorption), structural (XRD, TG-DTG), and surface (FTIR, STEM-HAADF, SEM-EDS, NH3, and CO2 TPD) instrumental techniques. Pt-impregnated solids were tested in phenol hydrodeoxygenation (HDO, T = 250 °C, 3.2 MPa, batch reactor, n-decane as solvent). Catalytic activity (in pseudo-first-order kinetic constant, kHDO basis) was not directly related to Pt dispersion, which was not determined by nominal rare earth content. Determining the actual composition of modified SBA-15 materials is crucial in reaching sound conclusions regarding their physicochemical properties, especially when La modifier is directly added during mesoporous matrix formation, where efficient interaction among constituents could be difficult to get. Otherwise, results from some characterization techniques (N2 physisorption and FTIR, for instance) could be misleading and even contradictory. Indeed, extant modifier precursors, when under SBA-15 synthesis conditions, could affect the properties of prepared materials even though they were absent in obtained formulations. Performing simple compositional analysis could eliminate uncertainties regarding the role of various modifiers on characteristics of final catalysts. However, several groups have failed in doing so.

Physicochemical and structural properties of silica films prepared from perhydropolysilazane using vacuum ultraviolet irradiation

Developing techniques to form functional films at low temperatures is crucial for enabling their application on materials with limited heat resistance. In this study, silica films were prepared by irradiating a perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) precursor, which contains reactive Si–H and N–H groups and is free from organics, with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light under a controlled atmosphere. To investigate the quality of the resulting films and mechanisms behind photochemical conversion, infrared and electron spectroscopic measurements were performed. The results revealed that VUV irradiation converted the top surface of the film into silica, irrespective of the atmospheric conditions. However, differences in the oxygen concentration affected both the VUV light intensity penetrating the film and the oxygen diffusion into it, leading to the formation of silica or silicon oxynitride within the film. Under irradiation, PHPS was converted to silica not only from the surface but also from the interface with the substrate. In addition, silica was formed even at long irradiation distances, in which case VUV light barely reached the PHPS surface owing to absorption by atmospheric oxygen. These findings demonstrate that the silica-film formation involved two processes: breaking of chemical bonds induced by VUV photons and oxidation due to oxygen diffusion from the surface. The spectroscopic measurements and X-ray reflectivity results indicated that the composition, chemical state, Auger parameter, and density of the prepared silica film were comparable to those of a silica film prepared through heat treatment at 500°C. Further, the prepared silica film using VUV irradiation had a smoother surface than that of the heat-treated film. The thickness of the prepared film remained unchanged before and after VUV irradiation, indicating that the formation process using VUV irradiation suppressed the shrinkage of the film during the conversion of PHPS to silica.

A novel biogenic porous core/shell-based shape-stabilized phase change material for building energy saving

The application of phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal storage in construction can effectively reduce building energy consumption. However, high costs and vulnerability to leaks have hindered their application. The present study proposes two approaches for the synthesis of porous supporting matrices derived from rice husk, resulting in the formation of rice husk silica (RHS) and rice husk carbon (RHC). Then, n-octadecane and the porous materials were combined by vacuum impregnation, while the leakage resistance performance of the composite PCMs was enhanced by applying epoxy resin coating to create a shell-core structure. The results show that the n-octadecane/RHS and n-octadecane/RHC composite PCMs exhibit high latent heat potential of 106.5 J/g and 116.3 J/g, respectively. Both porous supporting structures provided the PCMs with robust structural stability and exceptional thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity of the n-octadecane/RHS composite PCMs and n-octadecane/RHC composite PCMs reached 0.52 W/(m K) and 0.41 W/(m K), respectively. The thermal properties of the biogenic porous core/shell-based shape-stabilized PCMs were characterized by an analog T-history method, and the results demonstrated that the composite PCMs exhibited excellent and rapid heat storage and exothermic capabilities. After undergoing 300 complete heating and cooling cycles, the composite PCMs demonstrate exceptional thermal reliability and possess a high enthalpy capacity. Finally, the impact of the pore structure of RHS and RHC on the crystallization behavior of n-octadecane was discussed. Both composite PCMs can be regarded as environmentally friendly construction materials with promising thermal and acoustic properties.

Effect of growth rate on the incorporation of silicon impurity in single crystal diamond

In this paper, we systematically investigate the influence of growth rate on the incorporation of silicon in single crystal diamond. The intensity of SiV− center is significantly enhanced with the increase of methane flow rate. By analyzing the optical emission spectrum and photoluminescence spectrum of samples grown with different methane concentrations, the enhancement of SiV− intensity is not associated with the Si–C concentration in the precursor but with the higher growth rate. In addition, an increased oxygen flow rate significantly decreases the intensity of SiV− center, which is attributed to the formation of insoluble silicon oxide as well as the relatively lower growth rate. Finally, we propose a growth model to explain the effect of growth rate on the incorporation of silicon impurity.

Solfataric Alteration at the South Sulfur Bank, Kilauea, Hawaii, as a Mechanism for Formation of Sulfates, Phyllosilicates, and Silica on Mars

Abstract Solfataric alteration at the South Sulfur Bank of the former Kilauea caldera produced opal, Mg- and Fe-rich smectites, gypsum, and jarosite through silica replacement of pyroclastic Keanakako’i ash and leaching of basaltic lavas. This site on the island of Hawaii serves as an analog for formation of several minerals found in altered deposits on Mars. Two distinct alteration environments were characterized in this study including a light-toned, high-silica, friable outcrop adjacent to the vents, and a bedded outcrop containing alternating orange/tan layers composed of smectite, gypsum, jarosite, hydrated silica, and poorly crystalline ferric oxide phases. This banded unit likely represents deposition of pyroclastic material with variations in chemistry over time that was subsequently altered via moderate hydrothermal and pedogenic processes and leaching of basaltic caprock to enhance the Si, Al, Mg, Fe, and Ca in the altered layers. In the light-toned, friable materials closest to the vents along the base of the outcrop glassy fragments were extensively altered to opal-A plus anatase. Lab measurements of samples returned from the field were conducted to replicate recent instruments at Mars and provide further characterization of the samples. These include elemental analyses, sample texture, XRD, SEM, VNIR/mid-IR reflectance spectroscopy, TIR emittance spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Variations in the chemistry and mineralogy of these samples are consistent with alteration through hydrothermal processes as well as brines that may have formed through rain interacting with sulfuric fumes. Silica is present in all altered samples and the friable pyroclastic ash material with the strongest alteration contains up to 80 wt.% SiO2. Sulfate mineralization occurred at the South Sulfur Bank through fumarolic action from vents and likely included solfataric alteration from sulfuric gases and steam, as well as oxidation of sulfides in the basaltic caprock. Gypsum and jarosite are typically present in different layers of the altered wall, likely because they require different cations and pH regimes. The presence of both jarosite and gypsum in some samples implies high sulfate concentrations and the availability of both Ca2+ and Fe3+ cations in a brine percolating through the altered ash. Pedogenic conditions are more consistent with the observed Mg-smectites and gypsum in the tan layers, while jarosite and nontronite likely formed under more acidic conditions in the darker orange layers. Assemblages of smectite, Ca-sulfates, and jarosite similar to the banded orange/tan unit in our study are observed on Mars at Gale crater, Noctis Labyrinthus, and Mawrth Vallis, while high-silica outcrops have been identified in parts of Gusev crater, Gale crater, and Nili Patera on Mars.

On the high temperature oxidation of MoSi2 particles with boron addition

Boron doped MoSi2 particles have been envisioned as sacrificial particles for self-healing thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) but their oxidation behaviour is yet not well understood. In this work, oxidation of MoSi2 based particle is studied in the temperature range of 1050–1200 °C. The oxidation proceeds from a transient to a steady-state oxidation stage. The kinetics during steady-state oxidation is captured with a thermal diffusion-based model. As compared to the oxidation of pure MoSi2 particles, the addition of boron strongly enhances the silica formation. Also, a finer dispersion of MoBx in the MoSi2 matrix accelerates the formation of silica. The oxide growth rate constant increases proportional with the boron content of the MoSi2 particles. This enhanced oxidation is related to the microstructure of the oxide scale. Upon oxidation, boron yields B2O3, which promptly merge with SiO2 to form amorphous borosilicate, hindering the formation of crystalline SiO2. Consequently, the migration of oxygen in the borosilicate oxide scale is faster than in the silica oxide scale on pure MoSi2 particles.

Silica Biomineralization with Lignin Involves Si-O-C Bonds That Stabilize Radicals.

Plants undergo substantial biomineralization of silicon, which is deposited primarily in cell walls as amorphous silica. The mineral formation could be moderated by the structure and chemistry of lignin, a polyphenol polymer that is a major constituent of the secondary cell wall. However, the reactions between lignin and silica have not yet been well elucidated. Here, we investigate silica deposition onto a lignin model compound. Polyphenyl propanoid was synthesized from coniferyl alcohol by oxidative coupling with peroxidase in the presence of acidic tetramethyl orthosilicate, a silicic acid precursor. Raman, Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies detected changes in lignin formation in the presence of silicic acid. Bonds between the Si-O/Si-OH residues and phenoxyl radicals and lignin functional groups formed during the first 3 h of the reaction, while silica continued to form over 3 days. Thermal gravimetric analysis indicated that lignin yields increased in the presence of silicic acid, possibly via the stabilization of phenolic radicals. This, in turn, resulted in shorter stretches of the lignin polymer. Silica deposition initiated within a lignin matrix via the formation of covalent Si-O-C bonds. The silica nucleants grew into 2-5 nm particles, as observed via scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Additional silica precipitated into an extended gel. Collectively, our results demonstrate a reciprocal relation by which lignin polymerization catalyzes the formation of silica, and at the same time silicic acid enhances lignin polymerization and yield.

Biomimetic Synthesis of Nanosilica by Deep Learning‐Designed Peptides and Its Anti‐UV Application

The silicifying peptide R5 (H‐SSKKSGSYSGSKGSKRRIL‐OH) derived from diatoms is extensively investigated, but the mechanism underlying silica synthesis by R5 or R5‐alike peptides is still poorly understood, limiting the design of silicifying peptides Herein, machine learning techniques are used to design peptides with silicifying functionality. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset of peptides and their corresponding silicification outcomes, a deep learning model based on antimicrobial peptide migration learning is created. This model exhibits the remarkable capability to accurately predict peptide sequences with a high potential for facilitating silica formation. A selection of artificially designed peptides can catalyze the biomimetic synthesis of nanosilica, some of which demonstrate better catalytic activity with a wider pH range and faster reaction rate compared with the peptide R5. Additionally, the designed peptide is used to wrap the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum with nanosilica coatings, resulting in a significant enhancement in the UV resistance of cells. The new silicified peptides are highly significant for advancing the understanding of the silica synthesis mechanism in diatoms, and the encapsulation of P. tricornutum has potential benefits in the development of new biosensors.

Kinetic Regularities of the Synthesis of Silica Nanoparticles by Heterogeneous Hydrolysis of Tetraethoxysilane Using L-Arginine as a Catalyst

Abstract The kinetics of the synthesis of silica nanoparticles (<50 nm) has been studied under the conditions of heterogeneous hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) using L-arginine as an alkaline catalyst. The rates of silica formation have been determined in a temperature range of 10–95°C at catalyst concentrations of 6–150 mM. It has been shown that the activation energy of the process depends on catalyst concentration and varies in a range of 21.5–13.9 kJ/mol, while decreasing linearly with increasing concentration of L-arginine in the system. The criterion of maintaining the monodispersity has been estimated for SiO2 particles being grown “onto seeds.” The density of submicron-sized silica particles has been experimentally determined as depending on the annealing temperature. Within a temperature range of 200–1000°C, the particle density varies from 2.04 to 2.20 g/cm3.

Low-cost Green Synthesis of Silica Engineering Nanomaterials from Rice Husk (Agriculture waste) and its Physical and Luminescent Properties Measurements

The electrical, electronics,and drug industries are heavily reliant on the use of Silica materials for several applications. Green source of production of silica materials is very important to meet the growing demandfor industrial purposes. The present work discusses the recent nanosilica production using low-costmethods, from rice husk-agricultural waste, andtheir structural, microstructural, and optical properties measurement for its applications.The crystallite size of silica particleswas measured using XRD is 26 nm and 55 nm, which are prepared from rice husk synthesized by both coprecipitation and leaching processes, respectively.. The SEM images of both the samples showed structural order of the pores within the mesoporous structure. The leached sample showed a purity of around 80%. The infrared spectral data also supports the presence of hydrogen-bonded silanol groups and the siloxane groups in the silica. These nanosilica particles showed Photoluminescence in UV, Visible, and NIR regions. The nanoscale silica formation is also confirmed by TEM and DLS measurements. Zeta Potential studies found -22.12 mV reveals the stability of prepared nano silica for a longer duration.