Issue 8, 2011
From the journal:

Analytical Methods

Testing a new method for quantifying Si in silica-rich biomass using HF in a closed vessel microwave digestion system

Jennifer S. Le Blond,*ab   Stanislav Strekopytov,b   Catherine Unsworthb  and  Ben J. Williamsonc  

* Corresponding authors

a Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
E-mail: jennifer.leblond@cantab.net

b Department of Mineralogy, Natural History Museum, London, UK

c Camborne School of Mines, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, UK

Abstract

Biomass is increasingly being used as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels. Of particular concern is that during combustion of biomass rich in silica (SiO2), such as sugarcane and many other grasses, the silica can convert into a crystalline form. Exposure to crystalline silica can potentially cause respiratory disease, such as silicosis. To improve understanding of the potential health risk, a robust and rapid method for quantifying the amount of silicon (Si) in plant material is required. Traditional methods do not usually account for Si in organic materials. This paper, therefore, proposes a new methodology based on a closed vessel microwave digestion using hydrofluoric acid (HF). To test the method, sugarcane leaves were digested and the solutions analysed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), with an HF-resistant setup, and two external calibration standard sets in an HF-H3BO3-matrix and HNO3-matrix. The concentration of Si found in the reference materials was consistent with previously published values and Si loss during the sample preparation was minimal. The elemental recoveries from the reference materials were generally good (85–115% for Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, P, Si, Sr, Ti and 78–125% for K and S). The new methodology can be constructive in building a new database on Si and some other elements in biofuel plant varieties.

Graphical abstract: Testing a new method for quantifying Si in silica-rich biomass using HF in a closed vessel microwave digestion system

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Article information

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1039/C1AY05144J
Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 Mar 2011
Accepted
16 Jun 2011
First published
18 Jul 2011

Anal. Methods, 2011,3, 1752-1758

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Testing a new method for quantifying Si in silica-rich biomass using HF in a closed vessel microwave digestion system

J. S. Le Blond, S. Strekopytov, C. Unsworth and B. J. Williamson, Anal. Methods, 2011, 3, 1752 DOI: 10.1039/C1AY05144J

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