Characteristic, Electrical and Optical Properties of Potassium Borate (KB5O8·4H2O) Hydrothermally Synthesised from Different Boron Sources

Abstract Potassium borate was hydrothermally synthesized from various of boron minerals (H3BO3, B2O3, Na2B4O7·5H2O and Na2B4O7·10H2O) at reaction conditions of 90 − 60°C and 120 − 15 min. The synthesised potassium borate was identified as “Santite (KB5O8·4H2O)” in X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analyses results. The specific band values between B and O atoms were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and Raman Spectroscopies. Multiangular particles were generally observed in the range of 234.94 nm − 3.41 µm. The use of different boron sources may affect the morphology. Higher reaction yields were determined in the use of boric acid (H3BO3). Optical absorption of potassium borate minerals was approximately 340 nm. AC and DC electrical properties of materials were determined by using current-voltage and capacitance voltage characteristics. Electrical resistivities of DC were found in the range of 4.17×108 – 4.07×1010 Ω.cm, whereas dielectric constants of AC were between 2×105 and 2×106.