Synthesis of SiC and cristobalite from rice husk by microwave heating

In the present work rice husks were exposed to microwave energy at different atmospheres in order to promote the reaction between carbon and silica. From the X-ray diffraction patterns it was possible to detect SiC and/or alpha-cristobalite as products from that reaction X-ray fluorescence analysis was used to provide a quantitative impurity determination. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were performed on selected samples to provide a full microstructural characterization.