Rice Husk Reuse in the Preparation of Biogenic SiO2/TiO2 and Nickel Hybrid Nanocomposites

In this study, biogenic SiO2 of high purity and high surface area obtained from rice husk was used for prepare a nano structured RHS/TiO2/Ni nanocomposite. The predominantly amorphous silica was extracted in an acidic method and then the nanocomposite was done via sol gel route adding Sodium hydroxide and nitric acid followed by combustion method. The chemical and physical properties of samples were analyzed by XRD, FTIR, UV, TEM, SEM/EDX and TG – DTA. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the nano composites had no characteristic property of SiO2 and even anatase TiO2 but indicated new crystal structures which were determined from the Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) as a hybridized Ti – O – Si bonding. Thermo gravimetric analysis shows that the activation process can be divided into three parts based on the temperature zones. Furthermore the stabilization and formation of SiO2/TiO2 /Ni metal nano composites were confirmed by SEM/EDX and UV analysis. Thus, this paper may provide costless and easy procedure to synthesize new hybrid nanocomposite.