Patent attributes
A method of producing silica nanoparticles using sand can include mixing white sand with H2SO4 and H3PO4 to form a mixture. The mixture can be stirred in an ice bath. KMnO4 can then be added to the mixture while maintaining the temperature of the mixture below 5° C. The resulting suspension can be reacted for about 3 hours to about 5 hours on ice. The suspension is stirred in an ice bath and then maintained in a water bath at a temperature of 40° C. for about 90 minutes to about 120 minutes. Afterwards, the temperature is adjusted to and maintained at 98° C. for another period of about 90 minutes to about 120 minutes while adding water. H2O2 can be added to the suspension after adding the water to produce a reaction product with a precipitate. The reaction product can then be dried and calcinated to provide the silica nanoparticles.
