Preparing and Characterizing Desiccants Derived from Rice Husk

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

• Samuel Nathan K. Li, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Frances Mialou M. Pascual, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Rafhaela D. Reclosado, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Ana Grace A. Xu, De La Salle UniversityFollow

Document Types

Poster Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Materials Engineering (MEN)

School Name

De La Salle University

Track or Strand

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Guidote, Lourdes P.

Start Date

25-6-2026 10:30 AM

End Date

25-6-2026 12:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

DLSU Laguna Campus (In-person) - John Gokongwei, Jr. Innovation Center (JGIC)

Abstract/Executive Summary

In a tropical country like the Philippines, the persistent humid environment poses numerous complications, especially regarding storage and transportation. Industrial desiccants produced from silica gel and activated carbon have been successfully applied for this purpose. However, studies have shown that silica gel poses dangers not only to ecosystems but also to humans. Additionally, the consistency and cost of activated carbon have been cited as drawbacks of the material. Biological desiccants, otherwise known as bio-desiccants, overcome these limitations and even add value to substances considered as agricultural waste. One such material is rice husks, which account for approximately 4 million metric tons of agricultural waste produced in the Philippines. Previous studies have shown that rice husk-based desiccants perform comparably to silica gel in applications such as soil contamination and wastewater treatment. Moreover, researchers have also enhanced its capabilities through acid treatment and doping. In this study, the researchers will prepare desiccants derived from rice husks using two methods: nitric acid treatment and aluminum nitrate doping. The samples will then be characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The researchers will then determine the viability of rice-husk bio-desiccants processed with nitric acid treatment and aluminum nitrate in desiccating applications.

Keywords

Rice Husk; Silica Gel; Aluminum Nitrate; Activated Carbon; Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

Initial Consent for Publication

yes

Statement of Originality

yes