SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILICA PARTICLES FROM YAM AND CASSAVA PERIDERM

In this study, silica particles were synthesized from periderms of yam and cassava. The synthesis process involved the calcination of both periderms to form their respective ash at 600, 700, 800, and 900oC, followed by purification of the ash with dilute sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and leaching of the ash in NaOH solution to form sodium silicate. The sodium silicate was further titrated with HCl to precipitate silica out in gelatin form. The resulting fine particles were then characterized using X-ray Fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The study showed cassava and yam periderm could be precursors for synthesizing silica nanoparticles with different characteristics and properties. Calcination at 600 oC was found to give the highest yield of silica, with the yam and cassava periderms giving 80.89 % and 91.35%, respectively. The findings of this study have potential applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals, construction, and foundry.