Effect of microwave heating on phase transformations in nanostructured alumina

Microwave influence on phase transformations in nanostructured alumina has been investigated in a comparative study. It has been found that microwave heating results in a lower phase transformation temperature, not affecting other features of the phase transformation process such as grain size and the effect of dopant addition. For the first time, the dependence of the effect on microwave intensity has been characterized quantitatively. Unexpectedly, this dependence turns out to be non-monotonic, and the phase transformation rate reaches its maximum when moderate-intensity microwaves are used for heating.