Microwave processing of nano-structured Zn-Fe-O system

Abstract

Microwave processing is expected to be suitable for the synthesis of materials with non-equilibrium structure in nano- or mesoscopic scale. Homologous compounds, Fe2O3(ZnO)m, with the natural superlattice structure were obtained within a short period by solid state reaction of component oxides under microwave irradiation. TEM observation revealed that two types of superlattice structures were observed in different Fe concentration. In addition, we have successfully observed a formation of nano-scaled modulated lamellar structure induced by spinodal decomposition. It is conclude that the non-equilibrium nature of microwave selective heating, as well as rapid heating and quenching effects, plays a key role to form the superstructure.