10.1007/s40097-022-00522-0

Facile, fast, and green preparation of high-purity and quality silica nanoparticles using a handmade ball mill: comparison with the sol–gel method

  • Saeed Karimkhani1,
  • Pirouz Derakhshi*1,
  • Parviz Aberoomand Azar2,
  • Seyedeh Mahsa Sheikh-Al-Eslamian3,
  1. Faculty of Chemistry, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IR
  2. Science and Research Branch, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IR
  3. Dental Research Center, Research Institute of Dental Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR

Published 12-01-2023

Copyright (c) -1 The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Islamic Azad University

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Karimkhani, S., Derakhshi, P., Aberoomand Azar, P., & Sheikh-Al-Eslamian, S. M. (2023). Facile, fast, and green preparation of high-purity and quality silica nanoparticles using a handmade ball mill: comparison with the sol–gel method. Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry, 14(6 (December 2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40097-022-00522-0
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

Abstract

Abstract In this study, silica nanoparticles (SiO 2 NPs) were fabricated using a handmade ball mill as a novel, simple, rapid, cost-effective, and green approach. The sol–gel method was also used to produce these NPs as a comparative method. The SiO 2 NPs produced by both methods were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). In the ball mill technique, different parameters, such as milling rotation speed (6–240 rpm), powder-to-ball ratio (1:5, 1:10, 1:20 kg), milling time (3–12 h), air blowing speed (7.5–30 km/h), and air suction speed (50, 100, and 200 m 3 /h), were optimized. The optimum conditions were found to be 240 rpm, 1:20 kg, 12 h, 7.5 km/h, and 50 m 3 /h for the rotating speed, powder-to-ball ratio, milling time, air blowing speed, and air sucking speed, respectively. Six steps were designed for the preparation of NPs in this ball mill, and the minimum particle size under the optimum conditions was obtained at 16.6 nm at step 6. The high purity of SiO 2 particles in large volumes with particle sizes from μm to nm was achieved. The produced NPs can be used in the cosmetics industries, dentistry, and other fields. Graphical abstract The cylindrical iron pipe was provided. Both sides of the cylindrical pipe were placed continuously to input and output the materials in the mill system. The rectangular iron table was made and the cylindrical iron pipe was assembled on the table. To rotate the planetary ball mill system, the electromotor was installed under the table, and to control the rotation speed, an inverter was installed. An adjustability air blower to adjust the inlet air pressure was installed. At the outlet of the mill, a separating tower was designed, which is connected to the separating tower from the mill outlet by fittings. The regulator dimmer was installed at the end of the tower, and the air suction device was installed to control the power and speed of air suction, which is equipped with a suction device. The surface of the inner iron walls of the cylinder was covered with cut silica stones. Before installing the inner walls and ball to the mill, the silica stones of the inner walls and the grinding ball were washed by HCL solution and then the deionized water.

Keywords

  • Silica nanoparticles,
  • Ball mill,
  • Handmade,
  • Green method,
  • High purity,
  • Sol–gel

References

  1. Nasrollahzadeh, M., Mohammad Sajadi, S., Sajjadi, M., Issaabadi, Z.: Chapter 1-An Introduction to Nanotechnology. Interface Sci. Technol.
  2. 28
  3. : 1–27 (2019).
  4. Panchal et al. (2021) A systematic review on nanotechnology in enhanced oil recovery (pp. 204-212)
  5. Khan et al. (2019) Nanoparticles: properties, applications and toxicities (pp. 908-931) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2017.05.011
  6. Ab Rahman and Padavettan (2012) Synthesis of Silica Nanoparticles by Sol-Gel: Size-Dependent Properties, SurfaceModification, and Applications in Silica-Polymer Nanocomposites-A Review (pp. 1687-4110) https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/132424
  7. Munasir et al. (2015) Synthesis of SiO2 nanopowders containing quartz and cristobalite phases from silica sands (pp. 47-55) https://doi.org/10.1515/msp-2015-0008
  8. Hussain (2021) Comparative study on improving the ball mill process parameters influencing on the synthesis of ultrafine silica sand: a taguchi coupled optimization technique (pp. 679-688) https://doi.org/10.1007/s12541-021-00492-3
  9. Cao et al. (2021) Combination of RSM and NSGA-II algorithm for optimization and prediction of thermal conductivity and viscosity of bioglycol/water mixture containing SiO2 nanoparticles https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2021.103204
  10. Yuan et al. (2020) Mesoporous silica nanoparticles in bioimaging https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13173795
  11. Manzano and Vallet-Regí (2020) Mesoporous silica nanoparticles for drug delivery https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201902634
  12. Zhou et al. (2018) Mesoporous silica nanoparticles for drug and gene delivery (pp. 165-177) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsb.2018.01.007
  13. Bayir et al. (2018) Mesoporous silica nanoparticles for recent photodynamic therapy applications (pp. 1651-1674) https://doi.org/10.1039/c8pp00143j
  14. Yang et al. (2020) Silica-based nanoparticles for biomedical applications: from nanocarriers to biomodulators (pp. 1545-1556) https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.accounts.0c00280
  15. Briceño-Ahumada et al. (2021) Aqueous foams and emulsions stabilized by mixtures of silica nanoparticles and surfactants: a state-of-the-art review https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2021.100116
  16. Banerjee et al. (2010) Silica nanoparticles as a reusable catalyst: a straightforward route for the synthesis of thioethers, thioesters, vinyl thioethers and thio-Michael adducts under neutral reaction conditions (pp. 302-306) https://doi.org/10.1039/B9NJ00399A
  17. Vazquez et al. (2017) Synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles by sol–gel as nanocontainer for future drug delivery applications (pp. 139-145) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bsecv.2017.03.002
  18. Gomes et al. (2021) Facile sol-gel synthesis of silica sorbents for the removal of organic pollutants from aqueous media (pp. 4580-4594) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.10.069
  19. Saravanan and Dubey (2020) Synthesis of SiO2 nanoparticles by Sol-Gel method and their optical and structural properties (pp. 105-112)
  20. Stopic et al. (2021) Synthesis of silica particles using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method https://doi.org/10.3390/met11030463
  21. Rizlan and Mamat (2014) Process Parameters optimization of silica sand nanoparticles production using low speed ball milling method (pp. 1-4) https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/802459
  22. Bramhe et al. (2016) Facile synthesis of surfactant-free SiO2 nanoparticles via emulsion method (pp. 2541-2545) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2016.09.019
  23. Gh Jeelani et al. (2020) Multifaceted application of silica nanoparticles (pp. 1337-1354) https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-019-00229-y
  24. Kumar et al. (2015) Sol–Gel derived nanomaterials and it’s applications: a review (pp. 98-105)
  25. Piras, C. C., Fern´andez-Prieto, S., De Borggraeve, W. M.: Ball milling: a green technology for the preparation and functionalisation of nanocellulose derivatives. Nanoscale Adv.
  26. 1
  27. : 937–947 (2019).
  28. Ijaz et al. (2020) Detail review on chemical, physical and green synthesis, classification, characterizations and applications of nanoparticles (pp. 223-245) https://doi.org/10.1080/17518253.2020.1802517
  29. Yuan et al. (2023) Structural transformation of porous and disordered carbon during ball-milling https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.140418
  30. Sherif El-Eskandarany et al. (2021) Mechanical milling: a superior nanotechnological tool for fabrication of nanocrystalline and nanocomposite materials https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11102484
  31. Eikeland Nilssen and Arne Kleiv (2020) Silicon powder properties produced in a planetary ball mill as a function of grinding time, grinding bead size and rotational speed (pp. 2413-2423) https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-019-00340-0
  32. Wang et al. (2023) New insights into ball-milled zero-valent iron composites for pollution remediation: an overview https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135513
  33. Akl, M.A., Aly, H.F., Soliman, H.M.A., Abd ElRahman, A.M.E., Abd-Elhamid, A.I.: Preparation and Characterization of Silica Nanoparticles by Wet Mechanical Attrition of White and Yellow Sand. J. Nanomed. Nanotechnol.
  34. 4
  35. : 6 (2013).
  36. Ismail et al. (2021) A facile approach to synthesis of silica nanoparticles from silica sand and their application as superhydrophobic material (pp. 665-672) https://doi.org/10.1080/21870764.2021.1911057
  37. Prasad et al. (2020) Process parameter effects on particle size reduction of sol-gel synthesized silica nanoparticles (pp. 1669-1675)
  38. Fahad and Hammadi (2020) Characterization of Highly-Pure Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles as Scattering Centers for Random Gain Media (pp. 37-42)
  39. Khademolhosseini et al. (2020) Synthesis of silica nanoparticles with different morphologies and their effects on enhanced oil recovery (pp. 1105-1114) https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-019-01222-y
  40. Dubey et al. (2015) Synthesis and characterization of SiO2 nanoparticles via sol-gel method for industrial applications (pp. 3575-3579)
  41. Aien Mohamed Abdul Ghani, N. N., Alam Saeed, M., Hazwani Hashim, I.: Thermoluminescence (TL) response of silica nanoparticles subjected to 50 Gy gamma irradiation, Mal. J. Fund. Appl. Sci.
  42. 13
  43. : 178–180 (2017).
  44. Amiri et al. (2020) Optimization removal of the ceftriaxone drug from aqueous media with novel zero-valent iron supported on doped strontium hexaferrite nanoparticles by response surface methodology (pp. 5831-5840) https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202000285
  45. Farhadi et al. (2021) Organophosphorus diazinon pesticide removing from aqueous solution by zero-valent iron supported on biopolymer chitosan: rsm optimization methodology (pp. 103-120) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-020-01855-z
  46. Salah et al. (2011) High-energy ball milling technique for ZnO nanoparticles as antibacterial material (pp. 863-869) https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S18267
  47. Giri et al. (2007) Correlation between microstructure and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by ball milling https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2804012
  48. Yang and Chen (2017) Synthesis of CuO nanoparticles for catalytic application via ultrasound-assisted ball milling (pp. 39-44) https://doi.org/10.2298/PAC1701039Y
  49. Yadav et al. (2015) Titania prepared by ball milling: its characterization and application as liquefied petroleum gas sensor (pp. 487-494) https://doi.org/10.1080/15533174.2012.749892
  50. Khayati and Janghorban (2012) The nanostructure evolution of Ag powder synthesized by high energy ball milling (pp. 393-397) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2011.05.005
  51. Arbain et al. (2011) Preparation of iron oxide nanoparticles by mechanical milling (pp. 1-9) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2010.08.025
  52. Jiang et al. (2019) Aluminum nanoparticles manufactured using a ball-milling method with ammonium chloride as a grinding aid: achieving energy release at low temperature https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NJ05356A