Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Materials

This book presents innovative, cutting-edge techniques for microwave processing of semiconducting materials. Microwave processing is a rapid, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technique of sintering and calcining which can lead to a reduction of 86% in sintering time and energy saving of 96% in comparison to conventional sintering methods. This technique is capable of processing almost all types of inorganic/organic materials and is known to result in phase-transformations from polycrystalline to amorphous/nanocrystalline phases and alloy formation from elemental constituents in a very short time and different morphologies. In this book, the microwave processing of technologically-relevant materials from different important classes of materials is described in detail. The book also provides in-depth insight into interaction of microwaves with different type of materials with a special focus on semiconducting, glassy, and functionally graded materials. The book will serve as an introduction to this emerging technique of material processing for post-graduate students, researchers and industry professionals in materials science.