A new rapid synthesis of potassium borates by microwave irradiation

Abstract

Potassium borates are one of the minor groups of boron minerals with its distinct non-linear optical properties. In this study, potassium borate compound of santite (KB5O8·4H2O) are synthesized using potassium carbonate (K2CO3) and boric acid (H3BO3) with a new and rapid method of microwave irradiation. The synthesized minerals are characterized by various analysis techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Three parameters of “microwave power level”, “reaction times” and “reaction stoichiometric constants (elemental potassium to boron ratios)” are determined for the optimum synthesis of potassium borate within the four step. At the end of the step 4, optimum products are obtained as santite type potassium borate. Synthesized potassium borates Raman bands are in mutual agreement with the boron compounds and the overall reaction yields to potassium borates are very high compared with the lower reaction times.