Extraction of Silica and synthesis of silicon from corn cob ashes

Author

Mdoka, Darren K.

Title

Extraction of Silica and synthesis of silicon from corn cob ashes

Abstract

This research investigated the use of corn cob waste as a source of silica and the potential of corn cob ash as a precursor in the extraction of silica, which can be reduced to silicon. According to this research, burning corn cob ashes resulted in the production of silica through an extraction process, which lessened the environmental impact of ash disposal issues. Ash content of corn cob ashes that were produced after burning the corn cob refuse at various temperatures (700°C, 800°C, and 900°C) for three hours was assessed. Sulphuric acid was used to wash the corn cob ash in order to get rid of any impurities and metal ions and so as to obtain silica, a precursor used in the synthesis of silicon, an alkaline extraction technique was used, followed by reduction of silica using magnesium and zinc. For samples 1, 2, and 3, the percentage output for the silica gel obtained was 30%, 26%, and 23%, respectively. Samples 1, 2, and 3 had silicon percentages of 54%, 42%, and 39%, respectively.

Date

2022

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Synthesis of silicon

Silica extraction

Supervisor

Professor Mupa, W.