Microwave-Sensitive Reactors to the Rescue: From Microwave-Assisted Chemistry to Environmental Applications

Abstract

The idea of using microwave sensitive reactors is relatively new in chemistry and environmental areas. Applications in both areas might be different but the effects can be amazing. Flow through reactors coated with thin metallic films using a variety of deposition techniques have been used as vessels to conduct reactions in flow under microwave irradiation. The metal coating not only did not provide any impediment to the process, it served a two-fold purpose. Metallic coatings acted as catalysts for the flow through processes; in addition the flowed reactions were tremendously accelerated due to unusually high temperatures generated within reactors because of coupling of microwaves to metal films. The methodology of developing microwave active reactors has been successfully extended to environmental applications, transcending chemistry, such as distillation of saline/brackish waters for the purpose of generating potable water. The experimental distillation device described here as a proof of concept, will lay a foundation for a high throughput water sanitizing process, delivering potable water to large groups of people.