Abstract
This study aimed to obtain nanosilica with desirable characteristics from an agricultural biomass waste using an organic acid. The effect of the feed rate of the precipitant and the mixing speed on the morphology and characteristics of nanosilica from rice husk for use as fillers in dental nanocomposites has been explored. The feed rate showed considerable effects on the agglomeration and the size of the silica nanoparticles. At a feed rate of 0.2 ml/min, the particles were bigger and highly agglomerated with a mean particle size of 261 nm. The mean particle sizes for the feed rates of 1 ml/min and 5 ml/min were 213 nm and 174 nm, respectively, exhibiting a decrease in the mean particle size with increasing feed rate. The shape of the silica nanoparticles depended on the mixing speed and it was possible to obtain spherical, dense, low surface area silica particles suitable for use in the fabrication of dental nanocomposites using this simple technique. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.