From Rice Husk Ash to Silica-Supported Carbon Nanomaterials: Characterization and Analytical Application for Pre-Concentration of Steroid Hormones from Environmental Waters

Rice husk (RH) in the rice industry is often air-burnt to obtain energy in the form of heat and RH ash (RHA) residue. In this work, RHA was applied as a starting material to obtain silica-supported carbon nanomaterials, resulting in a new reuse of a globally produced industrial waste product, in a circular economy approach. The preparation involves ultrasound-assisted one-pot oxidation with a sulfonitric mixture followed by wet oven treatment in a closed vessel. A study of oxidation times and RHA amount/acid volume ratio led to a solid material (nC-RHA@SiO2) and a solution containing silica-supported carbon quantum dots (CQD-RHA@SiO2). TEM analyses evidenced that nC-RHA@SiO2 consists of nanoparticle aggregates, while CQD-RHA@SiO2 are carbon-coated spherical silica nanoparticles. The presence of oxygenated carbon functional groups, highlighted by XPS analyses, makes these materials suitable for a wide range of analytical applications. As the main product, nC-RHA@SiO2 was tested for its affinity towards steroid hormones. Solid-phase extractions were carried out on environmental waters for the determination of target analytes at different concentrations (10, 50, and 200 ng L−1), achieving quantitative adsorption and recoveries (RSD < 20%, n = 3). The method was successfully employed for monitoring lake, river, and wastewater treatment plant water samples collected in Northern Italy.