Preparation of jarosite by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans oxidation

The formation of jarosite in the presence of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans) was researched to ascertain the conditions of producing minimum precipitation. The effects of salt concentration and pH on the characteristics of jarosite formed in K2SO4/(NH4)2SO4-FeSO4 inorganic salt solution and 9K medium were studied by using the measurements of scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourierism transform infrared analysis, thermogravity/differential thermogravity analysis and particle size analysis to evaluate the product. The results indicate that the formation of jarosite begins when A. ferrooxidans reaches logarithmic growth phase in 9K medium, and a higher pH value is beneficial to the formation of jarosite. The jarosite formed in 9K medium has smaller and more concentrative particle size and smoother surface than that formed in inorganic salt solution.