Rice Husk Reuse in the Preparation of SnO₂/SiO₂Nanocomposite

In this study, biogenic SiO₂ of high purity and high surface area obtained from rice husk was used for prepare a nanostructured SnO₂/SiO₂composite. The predominantly amorphous silica was extracted in an acidic route and then the nanocomposite was done via sol-gel route using ethylene glycol and citric acid followed by heat treatment. SiO₂ content of the rice husk was determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and its specific surface area determined by nitrogen adsorption. The composite nanostructured SnO₂/SiO₂ was structurally characterized by the techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The morphological characteristics were revealed by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

biogenic SiO₂; rice husk; SnO₂/SiO₂ composite; Pechini method