Quality determination of nickel-loaded silica prepared from poaceous biomass.

Klason lignin or preacid hydrolysate of a poaceous biomass such as rice husk, rice straw (Oryza sativa), and wheat straw (Triticum aestivum) became a good source of highly pure silica by simple calcinations in the testing process for application of high-boiling solvent (HBS) pulping of agricultural byproduct. Especially, Klason lignin or preacid hydrolysis residue of rice husks offered highly purified silica, which was converted to an excellent Ni/SiO(2) catalyst for methanation of carbon dioxide. The Ni/SiO(2) catalyst showed superior properties after the following sequential treatments; preacid hydrolysis of rice husks, HBS pulping of the resultant residue, cellulase hydrolysis of the HBS pulp, calcinations of the resultant powder, impregnation of the silica sample with an aqueous solution of nickel nitrate, and final calcinations.