Abstract

PAZ, D.S. et al. Preparation of aluminosilicates with a high cation exchange capacity from agro-industrial waste. Lat. Am. appl. res. [online]. 2013, vol.43, n.1, pp. 73-76. ISSN 1851-8796.

Rice husk ashes are a potential source of pollution, thus there is continued interest in its recycling. An environmentally friendly solution is its conversion into products such as aluminosilicates that are designed for use as fertilizer. Aluminosilicates that present a high cationic exchange capacity becomes an excellent material to be used in soil for accumulating and liberating nutrients slowly to the plants. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the alkali concentration in the cationic exchange capacity of an aluminosilicate obtained from rice husk ashes. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and cationic exchange capacity. The particles that were produced are composed of crystals smaller than 5 μm. The experimental conditions employed in this work produced a semi-crystalline aluminosilicate with a high cationic exchange capacity. The alkali concentration used had an influence on this property.

Keywords : Aluminosilicate; Cation Exchange; Rice Husk Ash; Preparation.