Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Silica Gel from Clear Glass Waste for Moisture Control and Lead Ion Adsorption

This research article explores the impact of microwave power and irradiation time on the synthesis and characterization of silica gel derived from clear glass waste, with a particular focus on its adsorption capabilities for moisture and lead ions. A green chemistry approach utilizing microwave activation was employed to study variations in power and heating duration, which play a pivotal role in determining the material’s properties. The study also conducted FTIR analysis to confirm the presence of silanol groups (Si-OH) and siloxane groups (Si-O-Si) on the synthesized silica gel, characterized by wavenumbers of 956.44 cm -1 and 1082 cm -1 , respectively. The investigation revealed that the optimal conditions for synthesis involved a microwave irradiation time of 15 minutes and a power level of 600 watts, resulting in a yield of 68.96%. This optimized silica gel exhibited a remarkable moisture adsorption capacity of 91.15% and an adsorption capacity for lead ions of 2.88 mg/g. These findings emphasize the potential of silica gel obtained from clear glass waste as a promising adsorbent for removing moisture.