Microwave-Assisted Preparation of Sodium Silicate as Biodiesel Catalyst from Rice Husk Ash

摘要

In this research, sodium silicate (Na_2SiO_3) was prepared by rice husk ash reacted with 10 M sodium hydroxide. The mixtures were heated by microwave at 400, 600, and 800 watt for 5 and 10 minutes. The formation of sodium silicate was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. The vibrations of (Na)O-Si-O(Na) and O-Si-O were observed at 595 and 1023-986 cm~(-1), respectively, except at 800 watt disappeared those vibrations. The results of flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer provided the mole ratio of sodium and silicon was 2:1 as heating the product at 600 watt for 5 and 10 minutes. The phase of sodium silicate was characterized by X-ray diffraction. Sodium silicate could be used as catalyst as in biodiesel production from palm oil. The percentage of yield was 81 by volume.