Extraction and Physicochemical Characterization of Highly-pure Amorphous Silica Nanoparticles from Locally Available Dunes Sand

This study synthesized highly pure silica nanoparticles from the northeast Algerian Sahara dunes sand as a low-cost source using simple and environmentally friendly method. The were extracted sodium silicate solution precursor without employing any additive agents. silica’s crystalline structure, chemical composition, bonding, microstructure, elemental analysis, thermal optical characteristics investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrate amorphous nature of silica. Furthermore, fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) energy dispersive (EDX) results prove high purity (99% SiO2). However, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) corroborate presence silanol siloxane groups. According to SEM image produced has an average particle size in range nanometers. Thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) exhibited stability silica, band gap for was determined be 3.75 eV. Therefore, is alternative developing high-purity nanoparticles, which have great potential advanced material applications.