Microwave Radiation-Induced Increases in Catalytic Performance: The Effect of Bedshape During Irradiation

Background: Improved catalytic effects have been seen using iron-based catalysts after exposure to microwave radiation. It was suspected that these effects would be much more pronounced when thin disks of loose powder are used for the microwave treatment rather than cone shaped sample with a mean thickness of about 10 times that of the disks. Methods: Catalyst samples have been subjected to microwave radiation in two bed-shapes: One, very thinly spread powder and two, thicker piles of powder. Results: Indeed the larger microwave effects are seen when using the thinly spread samples. Conclusion: These observations are important in microwave research in the laboratory and also in any designs of equipment to be used for larger scale microwave treatment of catalytic solids. The effects of bed shape have important implications for using this technique.