Current Trends in the Development of Microwave Reactors for the Synthesis of Nanomaterials in Laboratories and Industries: A Review

Abstract

Microwave energy has been in use for many applications for more than 50 years, from communication, food processing, and wood drying to chemical reactions and medical therapy. The areas, where microwave technology is applied, include drying, calcination, decomposition, powder synthesis, sintering, and chemical process control. Before the year 2000, microwaves were used to produce ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and inorganic materials; in next years, some new attempts were made as well. Nowadays, it has been found that microwave sintering can also be applied to sintered powder and ceramics and is more effective than conventional sintering. Particularly interesting is its use for the synthesis of nanomaterials. This review identifies the main sources of microwave generation, the delivery mechanisms of microwave energy, and the typical designs and configurations of microwave devices, as well as the measurement and construction material problems related to microwave technology. We focus our attention on the configurations, materials, optimized geometries, and solvents used for microwave devices, providing examples of products, especially nanoparticles and other nanomaterials. The identified microwave devices are divided into four groups, depending on the scale, the maximum pressure developed, the highest temperature for sintering, or other special multi-functions. The challenges of using microwave energy for the synthesis of nanopowders have been identified as well. The desirable characteristics of microwave reactors in the synthesis of nanostructures, as well as their superiority over conventional synthetic methods, have been presented. We have also provided a review of the commercial and self-designed microwave reactors, digestors, and sintering furnaces for technology for synthesis of nanomaterials and other industries.

1. Introduction

The rapid development of microwave syntheses technology is visible in the publications trends of the last decade. A search of the word “microwave” and the phrase “microwave, reaction” in the ScienceDirect scientific search engine resulted in 96,173 and 56,715 records, respectively, in all available research fields from 2010 to 2017 (Chart 1). The increasing availability and diversity of microwave equipment have allowed this heating technology to become more and more popular and useful. A breakthrough in microwave technology occurred before 1990, with the advent of the development of controlled equipment using a closed pressure vessel reactor (Milestone, ERTEC). Nowadays, there are plenty of well-known companies offering microwave reactors for a wide variety of applications [1]. Microwave heating technology, when applied to chemical reactions, represents a sustainable “green” chemistry by utilizing safer solvents and reaction conditions, minimizing the potential for accidents, preventing the waste of products, and minimizing the time of reactions. For instance, in different microwave frequencies, it is possible to efficiently synthesize nanoparticles at much shorter times than when relying on conventional synthesis, without the use of microwaves [1].

The development of the industrial applications of microwave heating, mainly in drying and other thermal treatment processes, was significant, and commercially available on the market from 1967 [2]. Thus, manufacturers quickly found a wide range of applications for microwave technology, thanks to its easy use and low costs. A typical home microwave oven can be easily adapted for use in chemical experiments, and until the 1990s, it was considered the primary model for laboratory equipment manufacturers. However, in a domestic microwave oven, the irradiation power is generally controlled by on- and off-cycles of the magnetron without monitoring the reaction temperature. The lack of temperature and pressure control and even homogenous stirring liquid samples makes performing reproducible chemical synthesis troublesome in such devices. Therefore, in recent years, specialized microwave devices designed for laboratories and industries have been developed.

The main structural materials used in the manufacture of microwave devices are metals, especially steels with high chemical resistance in the form of sheets, screens, and so forth. The close fit of all the metal parts and their grounding and tightness determine the safety of the use, effectiveness, and durability of microwave devices. Heating by microwaves is based on the ability of a particular substance to absorb microwave energy and convert the electromagnetic energy into heat. Every solvent or reagent interacts with microwave energy in different ways. Such interaction depends on the polarity of the solvent, because the microwave heating relies upon the dipole moment of a given molecule; thus, the more polar the reagent, the better the reaction at converting the microwaves into heat [3,4].

Compared with other methods that do not use microwaves, the use of microwave heating improves the homogeneity of the synthesis sludge; the narrow particle size distribution, the smaller size of the particles [1]. In this review, we emphasize the use of microwave reactions and reactors for the development of nanotechnology. Commercial reactors and laboratory reactors as tools for sintering and the synthesis of nanomaterials will also be discussed.

Overview of the Microwave Frequency Effect

The most common system of microwave generation and transmission is a simple electrical system with a magnetron as the microwave source and a waveguide, a feature commonly adopted in commercial laboratory microwave ovens. A typical magnetron power is ca. 750 W, with an emission efficiency of ca. 85% and a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The power of the heating (e.g., food) is typically controlled by the periodic powering and depowering of the magnetron at a specified interval (e.g., 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%). The efficiency of the microwave energy transformation into heat emitted in the materials subjected to microwave heating in appropriately designed reactors reaches an even 100% (according to our own unpublished results). Domestic ovens usually have no measuring devices, and the safety of their operation depends only on their microwave tightness and on maintaining the proper humidity of the heated objects. However, there have been cases where, as a result of uneven heating of ordinary foods, their hot spots get superheated and charred, resulting in the emission of carbon monoxide and other flammable gases, which, when ignited by a spark, may cause an explosion [3]. There are two mechanisms of the microwave heating: dipolar polarization and ionic conduction, in common solvents depending on its molecules, if it is polar or apolar. Polar solvents like ethanol, acetone, water are less transparent for microwaves so their penetration depths are smaller than those of some apolar solvents like benzene or hexane. Many examples are shown by Horikoshi.

The most popular source of microwaves is, therefore, the magnetron operating in the frequency band of 2.45 GHz [5,6]. Power sources with different frequencies, ranging from 900 MHz to 10 GHz, or with a modulated frequency, are also available [7]. A modern generator allows for the easy adjustment of the emitted power. Magnetrons of 350 ÷ 1500 W (household) are used most frequently. The frequency of 2.45 GHz, chosen primarily for cooking purposes, is optimum from the point of view of heating substances and objects containing water but is also perfect for heating a range of other substances, such as fats, alcohols, and numerous organic and inorganic solvents.

The industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio bands are defined by the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunications Sector (ITU-R), and they are 2.45 GHz, 5.80 GHz, and 24 GHz. Microwave devices can generate frequencies other than 2.45 GHz or 5.80 GHz, although they are more expensive compared with those devices operating at commonly known frequencies [8].

2. Methods of Microwave Energy Generation and Delivery

The microwave instruments can be classified into two types: monomode (or single mode) and multimode reactors. In monomode reactors, only one reactor vessel can be irradiated; multimode reactors may accommodate several vessels at once, which is not obligatory. For a monomode instrument, a highly homogenous energy field of high-power intensity is provided, resulting in fast heating rates. An instrument with a self-tuning circular waveguide is also available [9] (Figure 1) In monomode cavities, only one mode is present, and the electromagnetic radiation is directed into the reaction vessel and creates a standing wave. Multimode reactors have larger cavities, similar to a domestic microwave oven or digestion systems with microwave diffuser, where the waves are reflected from the walls and distributed in a rather chaotic manner of specific standing wave and oscillating its mode by stirrer. This kind of instrument allows for convenient simultaneous syntheses and can host a few different rotors/sample slots [9,10,11]. Sometimes, propagating wave is used for processing not only standing waves. In multimode devices, to optimize the homogeneity of the electromagnetic field distribution in the solvent, commercial cavities use a mode stirrer or use turntable reaction places. Ensuring the identical conditions in all vessels is almost impossible; it means that one vessel/sample makes the best result of the energy delivery inside the solution.

Generator compartments and microwave generators are the part of the equipment dedicated to generating the waves; they consist of a microwave tube (magnetron, klystron, gyrotron, or traveling wave tube (TWT)) or a semiconductor generator together with the power supply unit and eventually, the cooling equipment. The most diffused microwave sources are magnetrons and klystrons thanks to their high output power (for magnetron up to as high as 5 MW, used in ship/airplane radars and meteorology) and long lifetime. A klystron is often used in materials processing and the making of dielectric heat. A gyrotron is a high-power linear-beam vacuum tube, which generates millimetric electromagnetic waves by the cyclotron resonance of electrons in a strong magnetic field. The output frequencies range from about 20 GHz to 527 GHz, and they are used for many industrial and high-technology heating applications, e.g., in nuclear fusion research experiments to heat plasmas and also in the manufacturing industry as a rapid heating tool in the processing of glass and ceramics, as well as for annealing [12]. The magnetrons used for development and laboratory purposes have an output power of 3000 W (Figure 2). The typical cause of the end of life of a magnetron is cathode failure; however, the lifetimes of magnetrons have been increasing over the years. Klystrons are less frequently used for chemical reactions, and nowadays, they can be found more in radars, wideband high-power communication television, and radiation oncology. Klystrons are rather expensive for laboratory and industry processing use.

Nowadays, a new family of microwave generators is on the market based on GaN semiconductors technology, often indicated as a solid-state source (SSS or S³) [13]. The lifetime of an SSS generator is longer than magnetrons (lifetime in years); however, at present, the costs of semiconductors are higher, so for laboratory use, there is a significant difference in prices [14]. Semiconductors need a small space for installation; however, there can be a problem cooling this type of generator. The S³ technology offers several advantages over magnetrons in various microwave heating applications. The new S³ features include frequency and phase variability and control, low input voltage requirements, compactness and rigidity, reliability, and better compatibility with other electronic circuitry (and with the Internet of Things in the future). On the other hand, S³ generators are more sensitive to power reflections, and their efficiency is lower than that of magnetrons. The full utilization of the S³ advantages, especially the frequency variation during the process, requires higher levels of system design and process control [15,16,17].

2.1. Local Heating and “Hot Spots”

The limited microwave penetration depth into various media constitutes an important design limitation of a reactor’s dimensions [18]. Figure 3 illustrates the distribution of areas that have been heated more heavily inside samples, and the detected temperature gradients measured using a shielded thermocouple reached 600 °C. The tests were made for a silicon–black carbon mixture. This type of localized overheating, with respect to the rest of the sample’s volume, is called a “hot spot”. In microwave chemistry, a hot spot indicates the inhomogeneous dissipation of MW (microwave) energy through selective heating in different parts of the material due to the uneven distribution of the electromagnetic field within a homogeneous sample. According to our approximate calculations, laboratory reactors with microwave power capabilities of 600 W can heat 100 mL containers with water 100 times faster than convection heating, taking into account the thermal conductivity of the vessel’s walls and the liquid being heated. Unfortunately, local overheating cannot be studied easily, and currently, its properties can only be understood indirectly by measuring its effects on reaction rates [9,10,11,12,13,14].

2.2. Typical Designs of Microwave Laboratory Devices

The design of microwave reactors is a subject that aims to outstrip the limitations associated with the very nature of microwaves—their linear propagation, damping and absorption depending on the dielectric coefficient of the material crossing, and their propensity to form resonant structures. The reactor must be positioned in a metallic chamber, called the cavity, where the microwave energy is confined. There are several optimized cavity geometries, typically in the form of rectangular, cylindrical, or hexagonal chambers, or a combination of such shapes are commonly used. The microwave irradiation and its interaction with matter are characterized by processes such as absorption, transmission, and reflection.

The reactor vessel, if not composed of absorbing material, can be made of MW-transparent material, such as alumina, quartz, Pyrex^® glass, and so on. In this case, the microwave energy goes directly into the sample, crossing the container’s walls without any losses. The geometry of the reactor vessel is crucial for dielectric heating, because the microwave energy is absorbed by the specimen volume until a certain depth, known as the “penetration depth” is achieved [18,20,21,22] (

Table 1. Penetration depths of the 2.45-GHz microwaves for some common solvents and materials [23].

Material	Temperature in °C	Penetration Depth in cm
Methanol	25	<1
Water (distilled)	45	1.4
Water (distilled)	95	5.7
Acetone	25	7
Toulene	25	>40
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)	25	9200
Quartz glass	25	16,000

). Additionally, most of the organic materials, which the solvents include, behave similarly to water, in the sense that the dielectric loss will decrease with the increasing temperature.

Under stop-flow conditions, the heating efficiency depends on the load diameter, while under continuous-flow conditions, the heating efficiency can increase linearly. Stop-flow conditions occur when the precursor is allowed to be stagnant in the microwave cavity, and the initial temperature is 25 °C. It is quite difficult for a batch reactor to achieve the desired temperature, and thus, it is permitted to cool down rapidly to get some other temperature spontaneously [24].

Another type of reactor configuration is typically used for brake linings for aircraft industry. This kind of configuration connects a system of tuners, like in a typical laboratory setting, by using a quartz glass capsule for a vacuum (Figure 4). Figure 5 shows typical optimized geometries of microwave modes with its description.

In a typical chamber with a waveguide, small reaction containers can be placed on rotary tables, making full use of the magnetron power output. Such systems are commonly used in laboratories for the digestion or complete dissolution of samples intended for composition tests [25]. A major problem in their functioning might be the unequal temperature rise rate in different containers due to even slight inaccuracies in content batching.

2.3. Process Parameters Control and Enhanced Pressure

Usually, the power supply and all the components in the microwave devices manufactured today are assembled within a single structure together with the applicator (working chamber). In various configurations, the control may be performed by an external control module or a suitably programmed computer. If the system is not sealed for processing under enhanced pressure, temperature measurement is a sufficient monitoring and control tool. The items most commonly used for this purpose are thermocouples (ERTEC, others), PT100 sensors (SINEO, others), and optical or fiber-optic pyrometers (MILESTONE, CEM, SAIREM, Luxtron, etc.). The use of thermocouples or other metal detectors can give rise to serious concerns [26,27], because in a microwave field, it can generate measurement errors due to sparking [28] (see Figure 6). The fiber-optic thermocouples are unfortunately fragile. The cheapest way of measuring the temperature inside the chamber is evaluation by using an external thermocouple and known solid materials with well-known coefficients of thermal conduction. In our research, cases have occurred in which a damaged K-type shielded thermocouple generated a 4000 °C reading in the microwave field and then caused permanent damage to the temperature recorder (Figure 6).

The suitability of microwaves for heating liquids in sealed reactors has been employed for various chemical processes [29]. The microwave digestion of samples has become a fundamental technique for the dissolution with acids of samples prepared for analysis in the liquid form. The sealed vessels’ resistance to strong acids, availability of temperatures up to 300 °C (equilibrium pressure to 100 bar), and very high rates of microwave heating have enabled the shortening of the cycle of samples preparation for analytical tests, sometimes from many days to several minutes [25]. Similarly, in the organic synthesis reactions occurring under such conditions, a surprising increase is observed in the reaction yield and rate, often combined with a marked improvement in the product purity due to the specific catalytic effect [30]. Most important here is the ability to quickly obtain a high temperature as a result of microwave heating, as was described for nanopowder production in hydrothermal and solvothermal processes [29]. Basically, the high pressure autogenously produced in these conditions can play a positive role only if some substrates are in the gaseous form, although this is a rare case in laboratory practice. Therefore, solvents with high boiling points and high penetration depths can be used, such as glycol and glycerine. However, other factors should also be taken into account, such as the difficulty of dissolving many valuable reagents in some solvents or the difficulty of removing the remaining high-boiling point solvents from the products. Solvothermal synthesis with glycol as a solvent is expensive because of the costs of the solvents and the washing of the toxic solvents from the product of the synthesis (using a centrifuge with water washing). Therefore, water, and optionally, its solutions with different mineral or organic additives are the preferred reaction media, even if equipment fit for elevated pressures must be then used.

Nowadays, microwave applicators capable of withstanding pressures above 100 bar are rare, mainly due to the lack of suitable materials for the reactors. The most commonly used is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which provides high purity of the reaction medium but has a limited thermal stability (ca. 260 °C, and less in an alkaline environment) [31]. Microwaves accelerate synthesis reactions. The use of microwave heating improves the homogeneity of the synthesis sludge, the narrow particle size distribution, the smaller size of the particles, and the conversion compared with other methods that do not use microwaves. Nanopowders made by microwave reactions have more active structures than those made by conventional methods.

Measurements Problems

As aforementioned, using measuring probes inside microwave applicators is difficult. Non-earthed metal components, among which thermocouples are included, can cause sparking and/or energy emission to the outside when subjected to strong polarization. Measuring instruments interoperable with sensors exposed to microwave irradiation are subjected to frequent damage as a result of the strong overvoltage generated by the significant electromagnetic power and very high strength of the generated field. This phenomenon is also associated with frequently observed interferences with other devices’ operations caused by microwave devices and the spread of radiation directly into the environment, as well as via the supply chains. Every inherent characteristic of every solvent and all information about the solvent’s interaction with the electromagnetic fields are important when the microwave protocols are performing. This information depends on the protocol for how to measure the temperature inside the microwave reactor. Strongly absorbing materials inside the reactor can confuse the IR sensor and show unreliable temperatures; this means that, for an IR sensor, the vessel/chamber material is not transparent for measurement. The better practice in that situation (i.e., ionic liquids inside the reactor vessel) is to use fiber-optic sensors, which are in contact with the reaction mixture [32,33]. Yet, on the other hand, strongly absorbing MW materials help to achieve better thermocouple measurements because of the better shielding of the temperature sensors. However, the need to accurately measure the reaction parameters forces equipment manufacturers to use measurement techniques in the microwave reactors. Milestone and Berghoff have measuring systems with pressure and thermocouple measurements. CEM and Anton Paar use IR sensors. Microwave power control and temperature control really have an immediate effect on the controlled reactions, thanks to which the size of the resulting nanoparticles can be controlled.

Figure 6 shows the tip of a K-type thermocouple in a Ø1 Inconel^® sheath, damaged despite the sheathing’s careful and proper grounding. It was damaged during the measurement of the temperature of pure water at about 250 °C, and incorrect readings were noticeable. If a thermocouple of this type is used as a probe connected to the power supply control system, then similar damage going unnoticed may, in time, cause a dangerous failure. Additionally, thermocouples cannot be recommended for use in chemical reaction control, because the metals of which thermocouples are made raise the risk of product contamination.

In the currently offered microwave reactors, temperatures are only occasionally measured by thermocouples. Most commonly, thermocouples are placed outside of the microwave and chemicals impact zone (e.g., Magnum II by ERTEC), unless special field excitation means are used. A more useful system is temperature measurement with IR thermometers. Temperature measurement can be achieved by using an immersed temperature probe, such as a fiber-optic or gas balloon thermometer, or by using a device on the outer surface of the reaction vessel, such as a remote IR sensor. The use of any sensors inside the microwave reactors (e.g., pressure sensors) raises a huge risk that they will be damaged, and therefore, they are most commonly placed outside of the zone exposed to the electromagnetic field (see examples below), such as in MSS1 reactor, produced by ERTEC and IHPP PAS.

2.4. Optimal Performance and Configurations

For specific heating applications in microwave reactions, it is commonly accepted to use an individual system of standardized reactor components, in which each variety of sets has a specific or dedicated function, so they can be arranged in any of several configurations, such as the typical system configuration used for heating a fluid column, with a single generator from a few watts to as much as several kilowatts.

Circulators and a dummy load are part of the two-port device isolator that allows microwaves to pass in a forward direction and prevents them from reversing. The main task is to protect the microwave generator and magnetron from reverse microwave power. The “dummy load” takes the reflected power, because circulators are not designed to absorb this kind of power.

The understanding of the necessary components, their meaning, and the possibility of optimization is the first strategy for buying or building a dedicated microwave reactor. Users have to make a decision regarding a few conditions: which type of sample they want to make and which temperature is demanded (solid or liquid sample, reaction temperature or cooling unit, and the type of used temperature devices). For every microwave, a user needs a generator compartment with a microwave generator (magnetron, klystron, solid-state semiconductor, or TWT) and a transmission compartment (waveguide, isolator, power monitor and tuners) [14].

As stated above, the configuration of the power delivery depends also on the waveguide components. The literature reports the following situations:

• No power delivery components—the magnetrons are mounted directly to the oven cavity (for big loss processes with known static loads);
• Impedance matching only—the magnetron is mounted to a short section of the waveguide (for high loss and static loads processes);
• No insulator—the typical laboratory set without a “dummy load” (it is a cheaper version than the “typical” one, but it can cause magnetron damage);
• Directional coupler before an insulator—the coupler is not set after the circulator like in typical heating system [34];
• Systems in which the microwave energy is supplied to the reactants by specially formed antennas.

2.5. Materials for the Reactor

The selection of appropriate materials for the reaction vessels and coils, in which the reactions occur, is a real problem. In order to avoid energy losses, the materials from which the reactor is made should not absorb microwaves (or absorb only a small amount), and at the same time, the materials must be able to resist high temperatures, thermal shocks, the aggressive impact of the chemical reaction medium, and sometimes high pressure. This issue is important even for cooking applications, and a number of special glasses and polymers suitable for healthy food heating have been developed. Unfortunately, for laboratories and chemical industries, they are of little practical use, because the chemical environment in the food industry is never as extreme as that in the laboratory [35].

In commercial microwave reactors, at least three materials have been found for reaction vessels, as well as pressure windows:

• High-quality polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commercialized as Teflon^®, ALGOFLON^® HOSTAFLON^®, FLUON^®, CHEMLOY^®, and so forth. This family of fluoroplastic resins has exceptional resistance to high temperatures, chemical reaction, corrosion, and stress-cracking. The mechanical toughness, and electrical and low-friction properties of Teflon^® make it the preferred plastic for molding many different products and stock shapes, such as rods, tubes, and sheets. Products fabricated from PTFE are rated for continuous service at 260 °C and provide exceptional low-temperature toughness, as well as unique low adhesion and flame resistance.
• Pure quartz glass, fused quartz, or fused silica are transparent materials consisting of silica in an amorphous (non-crystalline) form. They differ from traditional glasses, because no other oxides have been added during the melting process, thus leading to high working and melting temperatures. The optical and thermal properties of fused quartz are superior to those of other types of glass due to its purity; in particular, its most useful qualities are as follows: (i) It has a very low thermal expansion and an excellent thermal shock resistance; and (ii) it is very hard and chemically inert to most elements and compounds, including virtually all acids, regardless of concentration, except hydrofluoric acid, which is very reactive even in fairly low concentrations. Quartz glass possesses a marked refractoriness and can retain its shape, such as in crucibles, trays, and rollers, up to high temperatures (1000–1500 °C). Unfortunately, it is fragile and easy to crack.
• Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a colorless organic thermoplastic polymer in the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family with excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties that are retained in high temperatures. Commercial PAEK products are as follows: AROTNE^®, KARDEL^®, ZYEX^®, and PEEK-VICTREX^®. The processing conditions used to mold PEEK can influence its mechanical properties (Young’s modulus: 3.6 GPa; tensile strength: 90–100 MPa). PEEK has a useful operating temperature up to 250 °C, and it is highly resistant to attack in both organic and aqueous environments. It can withstand attacks by halogens and strong Brønsted and Lewis acids, as well as some halogenated compounds and aliphatic hydrocarbons, at high temperatures. It is soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature with a slow kinetic rate. For these reasons, PEEK is often used with an internal PTFE coating.

When these materials are not available, a good substitute could be sodium borosilicate glass, commercialized as Pyrex^®, Duran^®, and so on. Used for chemical glassware for many years, borosilicate glasses have fairly low coefficients of thermal expansion [36], making them more dimensionally stable and thus, less vulnerable to cracking from thermal shock.

2.6. Microwave Reactors Applied to Chemical Processes

2.6.1. Microwave Digestors for Sample Mineralization

The main purpose of the digestion process is the complete dissolution of the samples for subsequent analyses. Over the years, microwave digestors have also been successfully used for organic and inorganic syntheses, which hundreds of scientific articles have reported. The main types of microwave mineralizer designs are shown schematically in Figure 7, where multi-cup and single-cup setups are reported. As a rule, a multi-cup mineralizer has a non-pressurized microwave cavity, because high pressure is achieved in sealed vessels placed on a rotary tray. Temperature and pressure are measured in individual vessels (Milestone). However, the known control problems with devices of this type are the observable differences in the operating temperatures and pressures, which can be significant, even for small differences in the volumes and composition of the digested substance. Most often, this does not prevent good preparation of the samples digested for analysis, but it is a serious obstacle when the device is used to perform a controlled synthesis reaction. Such devices most commonly deliver the energy through a waveguide from one or more magnetrons. Exceeding the critical pressure in any of the vessels usually leads to the blowing up of the device’s door (or cover) and is the most common cause of major system failures. Mineralizers of this type are offered by the main producers, such as CEM, MILESTONE, and others. Microwave digestors are especially needed for chemical characterization and analysis of nanometric materials (e.g., ICP-MS or ICP-OES methods).

2.6.2. Inorganic Synthesis of Nanomaterials

Non-organic chemicals (e.g., metals, oxides, and other metallic or non-metallic compounds) are produced in a microwave reactor in a way that is essentially similar to the known hydrothermal and solvothermal methods. The raw materials are the same, and the reactant concentrations and other reaction conditions are similar. Compared with the conventional techniques, the obvious advantages of microwave heating are that the internal heating is more uniform, the reaction completes right at a selected time, and heating rates are superior [1,37,38]. The issues of what equipment a reactor should have for the synthesis of nanomaterials and what properties such a device should have must also be considered. We believe that the reactor for the chemical synthesis of nanomaterials should have a greater power capacity in the generator (more than 2 kW), be made of chemically inert elements, and be easy to change and clean in case it needs to synthesize different materials. An important element is the measurement of pressure and temperature and the ability to easily repeat the results and parameters of a reaction. To make a series of nanopowders, the reaction should be stopped immediately at specific times during the reaction. This problem can be solved by using an MSS2 reactor (stop-flow or batch-type) in IHPP PAS in Warsaw [39].

As a result, such a process can be designed, which produces nanometric materials that are difficult to procure by other methods [40,41]. An example is zinc oxide, which is usually obtained in the form of a powder with an average grain diameter of above 100 nm [42], while as a result of a solvothermal-microwave process, the average grain diameter can be even less than 60 nm [43]. A similar ZnO synthesis method independently developed at IHPP PAS, involving an MSS2 reactor [44] and zinc acetate as a raw material in an ethylene glycol environment, allows for the very precise planning of the ZnO nanoparticles size in the range of 15–120 nm (specific surface area by the BET method (SSA BET) 74–9 m²/g) [45,46,47]. In solvothermal synthesis, it is possible to obtain many NPs (nanoparticles) doped by other elements and displaying different morphologies and different shapes. In Figure 8 it is easy to notice many type of shapes of ZnO obtained in solvothermal method [48,49], every shape Figure 8a–f, depends of changes protocol during the solvothermal synthesis.In IHPP PAS, ZnO doped with Mn, Co, Ni, Cr, or Ag was obtained [49,50,51,52,53,54]. Doped elements are visually easy to notice as is their quantity (Figure 9) [48,49],

Using glycerol as the reaction medium, a metallic copper powder was produced from copper hydroxide (the phenomenon of melting copper particles into large balls, which led to ERTEC reactor failure, was observed). Furthermore, this research proved that microwave solvothermal synthesis enables us to control the size of the ZnO NPs aggregates within the range from 60 nm to 120 nm, at the same time preserving the constant size of single ZnO NPs (≈27 nm) (Figure 8) [55].

The hydrothermal technique provides an excellent potential for processing many materials from crystals to nanoparticles (e.g., SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, SnO₂, HfO₂, Fe₃O₄, CdTe and others for which it is also possible to make doped powders) [56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63]. The MW synthesis produces more consistent samples than the sol–gel method. The results from helium pycnometer measurements regarding Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ composites show that the sol–gel nanopowders have lower densities than those nanopowders synthesised by microwaves [62,63]. Microwave hydrothermal synthesis also results in a fine distribution of intermixed highly crystalline nanoparticles of boehmite and zirconia and produces a narrow size distribution [64]. The microwave hydrothermal synthesis delivers energy directly to the substance without thermal-conductivity-related constraints. Today, the hydrothermal method is used for processing particles to form nanoparticles with a controlled grain size and morphology. In the IHPP PAS, we obtain hydroxyapatite (GoHAP) with a size as small as 8 nm [65,66]. At this laboratory, the microwave reactors produce iron oxides with a grain size of 20 nm, zirconium dioxide ca. 10 nm [67], zirconium dioxide_-doped Eu, Nd, Gd, or Tb [67,68,69], and Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH, GoHAP with an average grain diameter of 8–40 nm controlled by the time and temperature of reaction [65,66]. In IHPP PAS, it is possible to obtain six types of GoHAP with a narrow size distribution and different characteristics of nanostructures (Figure 10). Figure 10 shows six different types of hydroxyapatite obtained by precipitating and hydrothermal method.

Hydrothermal technology, like solvothermal methods, has a great potential to be the leader in processing a wide variety of advanced materials. It is called the “green” chemistry method in that it facilitates wasteless processing without contributing to global warming or air pollution [70,71,72,73,74]. “Green” chemistry is about the design of chemical products and processes that can reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous and dangerous substances. Water is the most “green” solvent because of its non-toxicity, and it is also inexpensive and is easily isolated from the product (GoHAP). Some metallic particles may be obtained in microwave reactors (e.g., Cu, Ag, Au) provided that they do not agglomerate [61]. It should also be taken into consideration that nanopowders can strongly absorb MW in reactions such that more than substrates may form.

Our approach to syntheses at IHPP PAS is very factual. We want to have repeatable results, with the ability to control the changes therein. Synthesis should be clean and chemically inert without introducing other contaminants from the air and the materials of construction of the reactor. As much as possible, the amount of precursor should be used conservatively during synthesis without losing the quality of the suspension produced. During the synthesis, as much as possible should be known about the pressure and temperature prevailing therein in order to eliminate inappropriate temperature jumps and to optimize the process and the results of the reaction, such as narrow size distribution.

2.6.3. Examples of Applications for Organic Synthesis

The reference literature on the use of microwave techniques in organic chemistry is very rich [35,75]. The courses of many organic reactions in microwave reactors differ from previously known patterns, and numerous examples are cited [76]. Many researchers relate the observed phenomena to the formation of temperature gradients [77]. Microwave-induced synthesis has been applied in the chemistry of polymers [78,79] and pharmaceuticals [80], and an accurate description of their industrial application is very hard to find. Much wider use of microwaves has occurred in the extractions of drugs or foods from many plant materials [81]. A particularly important aspect of microwave technology is the potential to achieve the very delicate heating of raw materials, with the overheating risk as low as possible, in low (0–20 °C) temperatures, often in parallel with enhanced pressure.

Currently, the offerings of most leading manufacturers of microwave reactors are also targeted at the synthesis of pharmaceuticals; this application segment is addressed by Milestone, Lambda, Sineo, Anton Paar, etc. The use of specialized automated microwave reactors has led to a remarkable development of new pharmacological substances due to the acceleration of a series of tests carried out over weeks instead of over years, as is the case using the classic techniques [82].

Recently, there has been significant interest in applying microwave reactors to the processing of various kinds of raw materials, as well as waste, into fuel [83]. As microwaves penetrate the liquids or suspensions therein, heating them rapidly, it is relatively easy to design devices with large sizes and high outputs. We can divide the microwave chemistry into the four categories: “green” chemistry, operating mode, chemical reactions, and specific heating. The major applications of these benefits are organic chemistry, biochemistry, and catalysis.

Microwave heating efficiency can be enhanced by combination with the synergy impacts of other unconventional chemical reaction stimulation techniques, such as ultraviolet irradiation or ultrasonic stimulation [84]. The relevance of the microwave and ultrasound combination has been shown in the processes of extraction, the production of biofuels, other organic syntheses, and the production of oxide and metallic nanopowders. Nowadays, many researches endeavor to obtain and use elevated pressure, to make shorter and more effective syntheses or sintering. Synthesis at 50 bar is a few times quicker than synthesis of nanoparticles at a few bar inside the chamber/vessel. In MSS2, IHPP PAS can autogenously obtain 10 bar and ca. 180 °C in 1 min 45 s and 50 bar in 4 min, using a 3000 W power output. Of course, the condition for effective control of these reactions, as in the case of the production of nanopowders, is the most accurate measurement of the temperature in the reactor. The pressure placed by users and laboratories on accurate temperature measurement is constantly increasing.

3. Overview of Microwave Reactors

3.1. Main Producers of Microwave Devices with Parameter Control

Usually, better process control is required for chemical syntheses than for mineralizers, although some devices, such as MAGNUM II by ERTEC, perfectly fulfil several functions (mineralizer and reactor in one). In particular, very accurate temperature control and regulation are desirable. Reaction vessels sizes are tailored to the needs of the user, although they are also subjected to basic limitations related to the applicable regulations with which their manufacturers must comply, beginning at the stage of design assumptions. For nanopowder synthesis, devices, such as ERTEC Magnum II, CEM VOYAGER and Milestone/UltraWAVE/SynthWAVE, could be used.

Table 2. Main producers of microwaves devices.

MICROWAVE DEVICES AT THE LABORATORY SCALE
EXAMPLE PICTURE	DESCRIPTION
www.berghof-instruments.com	Berghof Speedwave Xpert, with a toploader design, is easy to handle. The digestion vessels are inserted into a rotor from above and taken out again. The power output of the magnetron is 2000 W.
www.berghof-instruments.com	Berghof Speedwave Entry is optimized for the digestion of sample materials. It is easy and quick to start. The software offers a range of applications to the routine analysis. The magnetron power output is 1000 W.
www.ertec.pl [IHPP PAS]	ERTEC Magnum II has a focused microwave system with a detector of reflected power and with a safety system to ensure the proper closing of the shield of the reactor. It can handle a reaction in a liquid phase in a tight Teflon chamber with a usable volume of 70 mL, a temperature of 260 °C, and a pressure of 100 bar.
www.nade17.com	Nade XT-9912 Intelligent Microwave Digestion/Extraction System has a microwave output power and frequency of 0–1300 W, with stepless adjustment. The multi-vessel pressure monitoring has a range of 1–50 bar. It has multiple non-contact pressure sensors, real-time monitoring, and 12 digestion vessels.
www.cem.com	CEM/MARS 6 is a multimode reactor that can run 40 vessels in parallel. It has a simple all-in-one MW reactor for almost every application. The delivered power is about 1600 W, and there is magnetic stirring with a rotor speed of 8.5 rpm. The temperature is measured by an outside dual IR remote sensor.
www.cem.com	CEM/DISCOVER SP-D - Closed Vessel Microwave Digestion is able to perform virtually any type of chemical transformation from organic to inorganic. It has a wide variety of scales of production and temperatures. The manual discover reactor covers a variety of conditions in an open-vessel with up to 125 mL of filling volume and a closed-vessel withup to 50 mL of filling volume. The output power is 300 W.
www.cem.com	CEM/VOYAGER SYSTEMS has reaction limits of 250 °C and 18 bar, and the system is also applicable for heterogenous mixtures, slurries, and solid-phase reactions. It is designed to allow the scale up of reactions; it is designed for the stop-flow technique, as well as for the continuous flow system. The stop-flow mode can operate with a special 80 mL vessel to pump the reaction mixture by peristaltic pumps.
www.sineomicrowave.com	SINEO/Microwave Digestion and Extraction Workstation has various choices of vessel configurations, with potential throughputs of 16, 18, 40, and 100 vessels, and potential volume capacities of 15, 30, 50, 70, 100, 200, and 500 mL. There is a free lifetime warranty for the core components, including the magnetron of the microwave digestion system. Each digestion vessel may receive great support from the vessel frame on its top and bottom, and it may not be deformed or leaked under pressures of ≤40 bar and temperatures of ≤250 °C.
www.sineomicrowave.com	SINEO MDS-15 High-throughput Microwave Sample Preparation Workstation has a 500 mL ultra-large digestion vessel that meets the special requirements for the digestion of samples of up to 10 g. The drying rotor aides in the drying process of samples. Sineo’s patented safety bolt design eliminates the need for explosion-proof membranes and other costly consumables.
www.milestonesci.com	Milestone/UltraWAVE/SynthWAVE can achieve a scale up for chemical reactions from grams to the kilogram range. It takes single and multiple reactions at temperatures close to 300 °C and pressures up to 199 bar. Reactions can be carried out directly in the 1 L PTFE vessel or in multiple vials. Its vials are available in glass, quartz, or PTFE, fitted with loose PTFE caps to ensure pressure equalization. Its available rack configurations include 4, 5, 15, and 22 positions.
www.anton-paar.com	Anton Paar Masterwave BTR, with productivity increased up to kilogram amounts per day, it has 1700 W installed microwave power. It has an integrated mechanical stirrer with software-guided stirring and can accommodate reaction conditions up to 250 °C and 30 bar. It has constantly circulating microwave-transparent cooling liquid. It offers industry-validated productivity.
www.anton-paar.com	Anton Paar Monowave 400 and Monowave 200 are high performance MW reactors designed for small-scale synthesis applications in research and development laboratories. The autosampler option allows for unattended sequential processing of 24 experiments.
www.sairem.com	Sairem the MiniFlow 200SS is an easy-to-use microwave-assisted reactor, specifically designed for chemistry and pharmaceutical applications that provides the option to work with small quantities of sample and equally, to be used as a teaching device that allows the user to learn and understand the principles of microwaves. The system can be easily configured to perform different applications, including reactions in the liquid phase, solid phase, and gas phase in homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.
www.chemspeed.com	Chemspeed SWAVE is a medium microwave synthesizer station from Chemspeed that incorporates a Biotage Initiador with the features necessary to enable a fully automated synthesis workflow form. It allows for the addition of reagents under an inert atmosphere, solid weighing, direct dispensing, and liquid handling.
www.enbiogroup.pl	Autoclaws ENBIOJET is a popular, simple sterilizer that uses traditional transformer generators, magnetrons, and waveguides. The specially designed shape of the applicator chamber allows for convenient use of typical laboratory vessels of up to 500 mL capacity. As much as 0.5 L of water in a glass laboratory flask with a diameter of up to 120 mm can be effectively heated to 135 °C in 1.5 min using two microwave sources with a pressure enhanced to 3.5 bar.

presents some interesting microwave reactors for the laboratory scale.

3.2. Reactors Designed for Scale-Up

Laboratory-scale microwave reactors are capable of producing up to tens of grams of materials, where pharmaceutical compounds are mainly concerned. In most cases, in order to implement industrial production, this scale has to be expanded more than several times. Many companies have developed reactor models that are good for both: experiments on the laboratory scale and the subsequent scale-up. Many researchers are constructing their own customized microwave chemical reactors. The primary example is the Institute of High Pressure Physics PAS with the cooperation of ERTEC, and the Institute for Sustainable Technologies National Research Institute, which is building and developing their own microwave reactors for the chemical nanopowder syntheses of ZnO, ZrO₂ and GoHAP, for instance. For bigger scale-up in microwave-assisted organic synthesis (MAOS), the most important technology is the continuous-flow method in an open- and close-loop mode. Microwave irradiation fastens the emulsion polymerization by 70 times compared with conventional heating [84]. The microwave-assisted synthesis of polymers results in narrower molecular weight distributions. Nowadays, more and more ceramic/solid sintering is made in microwave processing (for example, a gyrotrons generator uses 28 GHz for laboratory big-scale sintering).

Table 3. Main producers of large-scale microwave applicators.

SCALE UP REACTORS
EXAMPLE PICTURE	DESCRIPTION
www.cambrex.com	The CaMWave™ KiloLAB reactor can process more than 100 L in 24 h to produce in excess of 20 kg of product. Larger CaMWave™ reactors are able to manufacture more than 200 kg in 24 h and Good Manufacture Practise equipment is in development. The skid-mounted modular design utilizes current manufacturing plants, keeping capital expenditure low and flexibility high.The the maximum pressure is 20 bar.
www.labnano.pl	MSS1 IHPP PAS Warsaw [68] has a power of 2 generators of 1500 W, with continuous-adjustment hydrothermal and solvothermal reactions tested. It supports pressures <40 bar and temperatures up to 300 °C, with a chamber made of Teflon, an automatic working system, and heating up to 5 °C/s. Its productivity is 300 g of powder per day and 30 L of solution per day. The MSS reactors are made strictly for nanopowder synthesis under a variety of pressures and with a variety of powers from generators.
www.labnano.pl	MSS2 IHPP PAS Warsaw [44,68] is a device, in which all the elements that are in contact with the substrate are made of chemically clean and resistant material, such as PTFE and Al2O3 ceramics, so the maximum operation temperature is 270 °C because of the PTFE. It works with a generator with a 3000 W magnetron by ERTEC Poland. Its productivity is up to 500 g of powder per day and 50 L of solution. Its control system has the following: - regulation of pressure and time of synthesis; - monitoring of processes and emergency maintance; and Its work modes include the stop-flow (automatic, half-automatic and manual) mode and batch mode (manual operation mode).
www.sairem.com	The LABOTRON improves considerably the performance of microwave-assisted chemistry due to the following: adjustable power from a few watts to many kilowatts; optimized geometry of the INTLI to achieve high-power densities inside the reactor up to 10 kW/L; direct reading of the forward and reflected power values to enable the correct calculation of the energy absorbed by the sample; and efficient mechanical stirring with adjustable speeds. The reactors are adapted for homogeneous and heterogeneous chemistry in liquid and solid phases. It has quick connections for increased flexibility and rapid cleaning and maintenance.

shows the variety of scale up microwave reactors in stock.

In many applications, the flexibility of the device is one of the most important advantages. For example, the MSS2 reactor is designed for automatic operation in the stop-flow mode, and we have adapted it to work in batch mode with the appropriate containers for one-time or reusable use, because we have estimated that it practically facilitates the execution of many experimental works. Changing the reactor’s arrangement takes less than 2 h. The MSS1 and MSS2 reactors are especially made for nanopowder synthesis, similar to old Lambda systems and the Sineo Selon-1000 reactor.

3.3. Hybrid Reactors

A small number of microwave applicator producers are now offering dielectric heating combined with ultraviolet or ultrasound devices [85]. Starting with a simple and original microwave photochemical reactor consisting of an electrodeless discharge lamp placed into the reaction vessel in a modified domestic microwave oven, the technology has evolved to facilitate the combination of photoactivated radical environments with high heating rates [86]. The microwave heating efficiency can be enhanced by its combination with the concurrent impacts of other unconventional chemical reaction stimulation techniques, such as UV irradiation or ultrasonic stimulation. The combination of the microwave and ultrasounds has been shown in the processes of extraction, production of biofuels, and production of oxide and metallic nanopowders, they are called hybrid reactors (

Table 4. Main producers of combined microwave applicators.

HYBRID REACTORS
EXAMPLE PICTURE	DESCRIPTION
www.sineomicrowave.com	UWave-2000 Multifunctional Microwave Chemistry Reaction Workstation integrates the atmospheric pressure and pressurized reaction, microwave, ultrasonic wave and ultraviolet irradiation, and other functions, giving full flexiblility to the user. The microwave automatic frequency conversion control, dual temperature control technology, and piezoelectric crystal pressure can ensure the accurate record and representation of each reaction. The microwave source is 1000 W and the adjustable scope of the ultrasound power is 0–800 W.
www.sineomicrowave.com	UWave-1000Sineomicrowave has the following features: automatic variation range of microwave power: 0–1000 W; ultrasonic working frequency: 26–28 KHz; power regulation range: 0–800 W; ultraviolet irradiation light source wavelength: 365 nm; power: 300 W; temperature control: from room temperature to 300 °C.; and reaction container volume: 50–1000 mL (10 mL and 20 mL are optional). The reaction container material is quartz glass, and the range of the operating time is from 1 s to 6000 min.
www.milestonesci.com	Milestone ATC-FO 300 MultiSYNTH Single and Multi-Mode Microwave Synthesis System is a so-called hybrid device. It has an ability to merge into a single-mode reactor, as well as a multimode reactor. A single magnetron with a homogenous microwave distribution in the cavity has a 800 W output power for the multimode configuration. For the single mode, the output power is only 400 W. It has an immersed fiber-optic probe and indirect pressure control with an outside IR remote sensor. For the single-mode format, 2.5 and 10 mL glass virals are provided with a temperature limit of 250 °C and a pressure limit of 20 bar.

).

3.4. High-Temperature Microwave Reactors (Sintering Furnaces)

Microwaves and microwave devices can easily and quickly reach 1000 °C to dry ceramic powders. Sintering equipment with klystron or gyrotron has been developed mostly for this purpose. The most important issue is that, inside the microwave device, solid or powder cannot be stirred, so the temperature distribution plays a key role. Thus, a multimode applicator should be used. The microwave devices can be used to process ceramics and achieve rapid sintering of inorganic materials [87,88]. Microwave sintering produces a finer grain size and different shapes from the conventional process [14] (

Table 5. Main producers of sintering microwave equipment.

HIGH-TEMPERATURE MICROWAVE REACTORS
EXAMPLE PICTURE	DESCRIPTION
www.cem.com	CEM Phoenix™ Microwave Muffle Furnace has a speed that is up to 10 times faster than the conventional muffle furnaces and a capacity of up to 15 samples at one time. The high-temperature furnaces reach 1200 °C and can process up to eight 25 mL crucibles. For laboratories needing greater throughput, the high-capacity furnaces reach up to 1000 °C and hold up to fifteen 25 mL crucibles. It can process any crucible that can be used in a conventional muffle furnace (including platinum).
www.milestonesci.com	FlexiWAVE is a high-temperature muffle reactor with an extremely fast heating rate (5 min to 800 °C and 10 min to 1000 °C). Nowadays, it is a first MW reactor for chemical synthesis able to work at 1200 °C.
www.weisstechnik.be	Vötsch Industrietechnik was introduced at JEC Europe 2013. As a very energy efficient method for curing fiber composite components in microwave technology, the modular microwave system can accomodate large components. The patented hexagonal cavity shape for a uniform field distribution is useful for making high-quality products. Compared with convectional heating methods, this device saves up to 70% energy and has a working chamber volume between 750 L and 7000 L.

).

4. Future Developments in Microwave Chemistry

• The development of microwave technology has allowed for its wider use in further areas of research and production. We believe that we can expect particularly intensive progress in the field of new materials, which is useful for increasing the operational parameters of devices and further disseminating of effective methods for the synthesis of valuable products (e.g., pharmaceuticals, nanopowders).
• The development of materials, such as semiconductor generators for replacing magnetrons and TWT for power supplies in microwave reactors, will continue to increase efficiency. Unfortunately, semiconductor supplies are currently still too expensive for use in all devices. In the next few years, the hope is that the price will fall dramatically, and it will be possible to use semiconductors (very small supply) for domestic cooking purposes to obtain shorter heating times than those that are currently available.
• The increased use of Internet/Bluetooth connections will have positive benefits on cooking household and laboratory experiments. This will allow users to avoid having to keep an “eye” on everything, because dices could be started and initialized by using an Internet/Bluetooth connection. The laboratory data can be sent by the cloud, and some calculations can be done for the user while the reaction is running.
• Sensors for properly using power and managing the time of cooking/chemical reactions will be very beneficial. In the cooking industry, this can involve the IR scanning of every frozen or non-prepared food having a universal product code, such that a microwave can “read” the information put on the pack. The microwave oven is able to use the time and power instructions that are put on the product by producer. In the laboratory, some UPC codes can be used by the operator to sign some prepared precursor to be heated by the microwave in some clear ways. The device will use an IR sensor to put accurate data in the chemical reactor.
• Greater efficiency of microwave reactions can be obtained by using continuous flow, stop-flow, or large batch (with large power) modes. The type of reactor for microwave synthesis depends on the needs and costs. IHPP PAS developed the MSS2 reactor for hydro- and solvothermal synthesis with stop-flo and also made an added mode—a batch system with a bigger volume of a batch. The bigger volume of batch mode needs to optimize every part of the device and take into consideration the penetration depths of the solvents and materials for each cup/batch/vessel.
• The development of new materials for microwave devices and new types of microwave reactors needs stronger materials with better resistance to high temperature or materials with bigger penetration depth that are not expensive compared with “old used materials” (Section 2.5).
• New devices for the generation plasma in microwave-induced plasma analytical spectrometry (MIC-OES), new types of emission microwave plasma (using semiconductor sources), and induced plasma torches are being developed. More new methods of microwave excitation are being used in the industries, with cheaper methods from known ICP instruments [89].
• Current and future trends in the microwave reactors industry include the following:

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  pharmacy (synthesis, e.g., aspirin);

  ○

  extractions (food stuff);

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  biofuels, biomass;

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  nanopowder productions; and

  ○

  sterilization (in-vitro cells nutrition, dental tools).

5. Summary

In today’s world, there are more and more available microwave devices and cheaper components, which have allowed for the wider use of microwaves in laboratories, industries, and households. Knowledge about the operation of microwaves is constantly expanding, which results in greater possibilities of synthesis of nanostructures and new materials or the use of microwaves in other industrial applications.

This review shows sources for microwave generation, typical designs and configurations of microwave devices, and the problems of measurements and constructions. The authors focused their attentions on the configurations, materials used for microwave devices, optimized geometries, and solvents with examples of products such as nanopowders. The microwave devices were divided into four groups, depending on the scale, the developed pressure, the temperature for sintering, or other special hybrid or multi-functions.

According to many years of experience in the synthesis of nanomaterials, and construction of microwave reactors, such as MSS1, MSS2 and other works of the Laboratory of Nanostructures, IHPP PAS can distinguish and name the desired special features of microwave reactors in the synthesis and repeatable production of nanoparticles. IHPP PAS claims that the use of microwaves gives the determination of many benefits in the manner and scale of production, as well as in obtaining the characteristic properties of the nanostructures. The most important features for microwave syntheses are as follows:

• Microwave heating allows for better internal heating than conventional techniques, the reaction can be completed right at a selected time or at a specified heating rate, and microwaves create a narrow size distribution of the NPs;
• Microwaves accelerate the synthesis time relative to the conventional method and can result in obtaining a smaller grain size;
• The possibility of stopping the reaction immediately at any time during the reaction is very important, and the temperature continues to decrease in the seconds after stopping the reaction; thus, microwave technology gives a better reaction in controlling this and the ability to easily repeat the results. The example of this type of control is the MSS2 reactor in the stop-flow mode;
• Microwave hydrothermal synthesis is called “green” chemistry because of the use of water as a solvent, and the fact that it allows for the design of chemical products and processes that can reduce or can eliminate the generation of hazardous and dangerous substances. Using chemically inert materials in reactors, such as PTFE or PEEK, to minimalize pollution and facilitate easy cleaning is another way in which it represents “green” chemistry;
• Observing the reflected power during the reaction helps refine the understanding of the structure of changes in the synthesis, and recording and interpreting such data during microwave heating gives more knowledge about the process of the synthesis;
• Metallic particles may be obtained in a microwave reactor (e.g., Cu, Ag, Au), provided that they do not agglomerate and are only in a small quantity. It should be taken into consideration that metals can strongly absorb MW in reactions and create sparking, that is, “arcing”.