PREPARATION OF SILICA FROM AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT (BAMBOO LEAVE)

ABSTRACT Silica is a widely used material because it is abundant in nature and has many advantages in science and industry. It can be obtained in two main ways: by synthetic production in laboratories or by extraction from natural sources. Using natural sources, especially agricultural wastes, is considered more environmentally friendly and supports green chemistry approaches. In this research, bamboo leaves were selected as the raw material for silica extraction since they are cheap, easily available, and often discarded as waste. The extraction process focused on thermal methods, where the leaves were treated at high temperatures to remove organic matter and obtain pure silica. The study also reviews different methods of extracting silica from other natural sources and compares them with the method used here. The potential applications of the extracted silica are highlighted, including its use in catalysis, adsorption, water purification, and as a reinforcing agent in composite materials. The results showed that the silica obtained from bamboo leaves had good purity and properties, making it suitable for a wide range of practical applications. This work therefore supports the idea that agricultural wastes can serve as valuable raw materials for producing useful chemical substances like silica.