Phytoliths in Mealies Corns and Preparation of SiO2 Nano-materials

Nanostructure SiO2 was prepared from mealies corns. The micron phytoliths were obtained after treatment with mixed acids, using the phytolith samples as raw materials, nano-silica was obtained through calcining at certain temperature after boiling in the nitric solution. And its structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscope, transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS) and Infrared Spectroscope (IR). The results show that the phytoliths are all dumbbella2type in cornstalks and leaves in the micro level; however they are located along or against vertically the lignose, respectively. The nanoa2silica with diameter of 103nm is obtained through calcination after boiling in HNO3 solution, and the nano SiO2 crosslink in higher temperature.