The present study addresses the extraction of nanosilica (NPs) from sugarcane bagasse ash through a two-step process involving alkali extraction and acid precipitation. The following parameters affecting silica yield and purity were evaluated: ash:NaOH ratio, fusion temperature and time, reflux time, acid used in precipitation (type and concentration) and gelation pH. The synthesized NPs samples were characterized by conventional physical and chemical analysis techniques. The statistical analysis showed that ash:NaOH ratio was the factor with the greatest influence on the silica synthesis yield. The optimum conditions was obtained by 1:2 ash:NaOH ratio (w:w), fusion temperature of 300∘C for 30 min, 1-h reflux, precipitation using 8 mol L−1 sulfuric acid, gelation pH 4, resulting in 88% silica recovery and 96% purity. Silica prepared under optimized conditions was examined for removal of dyes from aqueous solution. The material showed efficient methylene blue and crystal violet adsorption with Langmuir adsorption capacity of 108.4 mg⋅g−1 and 102.0 mg⋅g−1, respectively. These results confirm that silica derived from sugarcane bagasse ash represents an effective and low-cost adsorbent for removing dyes from wastewater contributing to circular economy strategies and promoting sustainable waste management.
The prebiotic formation and persistence of carbohydrates remain central challenges in origin-of-life chemistry owing to their instability and structural diversity in aqueous environments. Among potential stabilizing agents, boron species—primarily boric acid and borate—exhibit a unique capacity to form reversible, stereoselective complexes with cis-diol-containing molecules, including sugars and low-molecular-weight polyols. Here we examine the coordination chemistry of boron–diol interactions and explore their implications for prebiotic chemical evolution. By preferentially stabilizing specific sugar configurations, particularly furanose forms, boron may bias the composition of prebiotic mixtures, acting as a primitive chemical “editor.” These dynamic interactions—encompassing mono- and diester formation, as well as higher-order assemblies—are modulated by environmental factors such as pH and evaporative concentration. We propose that boron-mediated complexation constitutes a form of thermodynamic selection that enriches biologically relevant carbohydrates, including ribose, while disfavoring less stable isomers.
