Use of microwaves for the synthesis and processing of materials

Abstract

An overview of the synthesis of materials under microwave irradiation has been presented based on the work performed recently. A variety of reactions such as direct combination, carbothermal reduction, carbidation and nitridation have been described. Examples of microwave preparation of glasses are also presented. Great advantages of fast, clean and reduced reaction temperature of microwave methods are emphasized. The example of ZrO₂-CeO₂ ceramics has been used to show the extraordinarily fast and effective sintering which occurs in microwave irradiation.