Variability in morphology and composition of silica nanoparticles derived from different paddy cultivars

Turning rice husk (RH) into silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) is a potential strategy for valorization of rice shelling waste. In this study, SiNPs were synthesized from RH of three Basmati (BcvSiNPs) and six Parmal rice varieties (PcvSiNPs) using physico-chemical approach. The average size of BcvSiNPs and PcvSiNPs varied from 20 to 80 nm and 10 to 60 nm respectively, with occurrence of spherical to irregular-shaped aggregates (up to 200 nm) in the former and quasi-spherical to hexagonal shapes in the latter. The SEM-EDS study indicated higher silicon-content in BcvSiNPs compared to PcvSiNPs. However, FTIR analysis of SiNPs accentuated the presence of similar functional groups for both types.