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Nanosilica was synthesized by a chemical precipitation process from paddy husk ash (PHA) efficiently and effectively. Surface functionalization of the silica nanoparticles was carried out with oleic acid (C18H34O2). Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) data showed that the nanosilica particle size was in the range of 50-70 nm and they were in the agglomerate form. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis data revealed that synthesized nanosilica was in amorphous form showing a strong broad peak at 22.14° (2q). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) data supported the presence of hydrogen bonded silanol group and siloxane groups in nanosilica. Surface functionalized nanosilica with oleic acid was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and FT-IR methods. FT-IR experimental data showed that the modified nanosilica formed the ester bonding between silanol group in nanosilica and the carboxylic group of oleic acid with a successful functionalization.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/josuk.v8i0.7238J. Sci. Univ. Kelaniya 8 (2013): 33-48
Premaratne et al. (Wed,) studied this question.