Abstract

• In this research work, silica particles were extracted from Montmorillonite clay minerals. The clay mineral was collected from three different sites. Elemental analysis of the clay samples were determined by EDXRF techniques. The extraction of silica from three samples was performed by using various concentration of NaOH and HCl: 2 M, 4 M, 6 M, 8 M, and 10 M. According to concentration effect the optimum concentration was 8 M for NaOH and HCl. The silica was extracted from three samples for various contact times (1-8 h). According to time effect, the optimum contact time was 4 h. To extend the effect of inorganic acid, three different inorganic acids such as 8 M HCl, 8M H2SO4 and 8 M HNO3 were used. 8 M HCl was found to be the highest yield than other two acids. The silica were characterized by using EDXRF and FT IR analysis. EDXRF analysis is carried out to determine the chemical composition of prepared silica. According to FT IR spectra, prepared silica are identical to amorphous silica.