Microwave-assisted heterogeneous catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysis has traditionally focused on developing and improving catalysts for optimizing chemical processes. As these catalysts and chemical processes are reaching their optimum performance, interest has developed in other areas of research such as changing or improving reaction conditions through the use of state-of-the-art, non-conventional methods (ultrasonic, plasma, electromagnetic heating etc.). The focus is on increasing process efficiency through rate enhancement, increased product selectivity and yields and greener energy options. The influence of microwave dielectric heating on heterogeneous catalysis involving solid catalysts is been widely explored for numerous applications. Microwave heating has distinct advantages over conventional heating methods in terms of direct heating and minimized losses. Microwave heating has proven advantageous for applications including methane conversion, carbon dioxide separation, ammonia production, coal and biomass conversion, desulfurization etc. This chapter discusses the fundamentals of microwave heating and advantages, developments and challenges of microwave-assisted heterogeneous catalysis.