Facile Preparation and Characterization of Silica Nanoparticles from South Africa Fly Ash Using a Sol–Gel Hydrothermal Method

Silica nanoparticles (SNPs) consist of several applications which include lightweight aggregates, energy storage, and drug delivery. Nevertheless, the silica reagents used in SNP synthesis are both costly hazardous. As a result, it is critical to look for other sources silica. For this research, simple sol–gel hydrothermal approach make SNPs from South African fly ash (SAFA). SAFA classified as class F according X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The wide-angle diffraction (XRD) pattern reveals structural composition amorphous phase extracted SNPs, while Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) examination presence silanol siloxane groups. Basic were generally spherical with diameters about 60 nm, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) transition microscope (TEM) studies. SiO2 confirmed by energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) spectrum Particle size assessment indicates particle sizes ranging 48 nm 87 diameter, mean diameter 67 nm. application wastewater treatment demonstrated that they can be remove Cd2+ an aqueous solution. This research offers new ideas using manufacturing.