THE EFFECT OF MILLING DURATION TO THE STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF SILICA FROM RICE HUSK

Abstract

A thorough analysis of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) under calcinations is a common
concern in order to gain results for producing amorphous silica. This research presented
observations on the characteristics of ground and un-ground 450 °C RHA burning
temperature obtained from Muar, Johor Malaysia. The procedure was continuing with RHA
milling times for one, two, and three hours. All the samples was label as RHA (raw), RHA
1H, RHA 2H and RHA 3H respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to recognize
crystalline structures, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to recognize
chemical bonding of particles, Particle Size Analysis and Specific Area Surface were used to
identify physical characteristics, and using of scanning electron microscope (SEM) to identify
surface morphology and microstructures. The findings show that each of the specimens had a
comparable XRD pattern with substantial quartz and cristobalite peaks, confirming the
presence of amorphous silica. Apparently, the samples of RHA have a nearly identical FTIR
spectrum graph but with a distinct peak value. This is due to the particle sizes of the sample
have little effect on the spectrum graph. Other than that, RHA that has been milled for three
hours has a lower particle size than other RHA. The SEM results show that RHA (3H) has a
fine surface compared to RHA (2H), RHA (1H) and RHA (raw). RHA that undergoing 3
hours (3H) period of milling time is believed have a better characterization in term of
physical, chemical, morphological and phase.