Chapter 14: Application of Microwave Irradiation for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis and Fuel Cells

Microwave irradiation (MIR) allows one to selectively heat certain components of a material, where the specific components either absorb and therefore are heated upon MIR exposure, or act as transmitters and therefore are not heated on MIR exposure. This behaviour has been exploited by researchers to prepare novel FTS catalysts with enhanced performance in some instances and worse performance in other instances, likewise, fuel cell catalysts. The effects observed have been described in this chapter in order to gain an understanding of the mechanisms involved, particularly in the case of FTS catalysts, where the support acts as an absorber.