Synthesis of Hydronium-Potassium Jarosites: The Effect of pH and Aging Time on Their Structural, Morphological, and Electrical Properties

This study investigates the synthesis of hydronium-potassium jarosites to understand how pH and aging time influence their structural, morphological, and electrical properties. The objective was to optimize the synthesis conditions for enhanced material characteristics. We employed a systematic approach, varying the pH levels during synthesis and monitoring the results over different aging durations. The methodologies included X-ray diffraction for structural analysis, scanning electron microscopy for morphological assessment, and electrochemical tests to evaluate electrical properties. Our results indicate that both pH and aging time have significant effects on the properties of the synthesized jarosites. Higher pH levels led to improved crystallinity and altered morphology, affecting the particle size distribution. Additionally, the electrical conductivity of the jarosites was found to be maximized at specific pH conditions and aging times, demonstrating a clear relationship between synthesis parameters and material performance. These findings contribute to the understanding of jarosite synthesis, which can have implications for their practical applications in environmental and materials science. The optimized parameters identified in this study pave the way for the development of advanced materials based on hydronium-potassium jarosites.