Enhancement of Ionic Diffusion by Microwave-Field-Induced Ponderomotive Forces at Physical Interfaces

Abstract

ABSTRACTNumerous observations have been reported in the literature of enhanced mass transport and solid-state reaction rates during microwave heating or processing of a variety of ceramic, glass, and polymer materials. Recent research reveals that these phenomena are probably the result of a previously-unknown driving force for ionic mass transport. The driving force--termed a “ponderomotive” (mass-moving) force--results from the application of intense, high-frequency electric fields near physical interfaces (e.g., free surfaces, grain boundaries). Experiments, theory, and numerical simulations all demonstrate that this driving force can influence solid state reaction kinetics by enhancing mass transport rates.