Synthesis, characterization, and electrical and optical properties of magnesium-type boracite

Synthesis of the magnesium type of the mineral boracite (Mg 3 B7 O13 Cl) was studied. Several parameters affecting boracite synthesis were investigated. The raw materials selected were magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl 2 .6H2 O), magnesium oxide (MgO), and boron oxide (B2 O3). Reaction temperatures were selected between 600 ◦ C and 900 ◦ C. Moreover, three different reaction times of 4, 1, and 0.5 h were studied with the determined optimum molar ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction medium. Synthesized boracite characterization analyses were done by the techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM).