Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

Abstract

Preparation and Characterization of Silica Nanoparticles by Wet Mechanical Attrition of White and Yellow Sand

Magda A Akl, Hesham F Aly, Hesham M A Soliman, Aref M. E. Abd ElRahman and Ahmed I. Abd-Elhamid

Mechanical alloying is a simple and useful processing technique that is now being employed in the production of nanocrystals and/or nanoparticles from all material classes. In the present work, preparation of silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) by wet mechanical attrition of white and yellow sand using a lab scaled ball mill was investigated. The different experimental parameters affecting the milling process were thoroughly studied such as the milling period, water volume and the initial size of sand particles. Analysis of the results obtained revealed that SiO2 NPs with particle size 22-33 nm and 38-48 nm could successfully be prepared from original white and yellow sand, respectively. The optimum experimental parameters to obtain these SiO2 NPs are 25 g original sand particle, 50 ml water, 113 g media weight and 8 hr milling period at 400 rpm mill speed. The SiO2 NPs obtained were characterized by SEM, XRD, EDS and FTIR. The results obtained showed high homogeneity of the produced spherical SiO2 NPs. These SiO2 NPs have good potentials for use in industry such as their use as additive materials in ultrahigh performance concrete for the next development. Based on economic value, the produced SiO2 NPs have excellent potential to be developed.