Microwave-induced-plasma-assisted synthesis of ternary titanate and niobate phases

Microwave-induced plasmas of argon (see Figure) and dioxygen have been used to rapidly prepare ternary niobate and titanate phases directly in the solid state from precursors that do not exhibit microwave heating at room temperature. However, for some reactions heating of the microwave-induced plasma can promote dielectric loss, which allows access to local temperatures greater than the equilibrium plasma temperature.