Utilization of Wheat Husk Ash as Silica Source for the Synthesis of MCM-41 Type Mesoporous Silicates: A Sustainable Approach towards Valorization of the Agricultural Waste Stream

Abstract

After acid pre-treatment, the product extracted from the wheat husk ash is utilized as a silica source for the preparation of mesoporous siliceous material(s). The MCM-41 type samples using CTAB as template were synthesized using commercially available silica and wheat husk ash silica at room temperature. The materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, etc. to prove crystallinity, siliceous framework, overall material morphology, etc. A comparison is also made between the characteristics of (i) MCM-41 synthesized from the commercially available silica source; (ii). MCM-41 synthesized using wheat husk ash as silica source, and (iii). the MCM-41 reported earlier. This methodology opens up new methodology for the utilization of renewable sources and also for the concepts of ‘valorization of agricultural waste stream’ and the ‘silicon elemental sustainability.’ The crystalline siliceous mesoporous MCM type silica presents an interesting potential for their applications in adsorption, ion-exchange and shape-selective catalysis.