Microwave syntheses of inorganic materials

Abstract
Microwave processing is a relatively new technique for chemical syntheses, and it is proving to be more widely applicable than could have been imagined even just five years ago. After a brief introduction to the theory, this article presents the advantages of microwave dielectric heating and discusses applications to solid‐state oxides, superconductors, fine metal powders, and semiconductors. The speed of the reaction is often impressive, and the phenomenon of “thermal runaway”, despite its name, can be helpful rather than a nuisance.