Preparation of metal oxides and chemistry of oxides ions in nitrate eutectic melt

Nitrate eutectic melts have been used as a nonaqueous solvent for many reactions. Some of the metal salts when heated in nitrate eutectic melt are converted to corresponding oxides comparatively at a much lower temperature. The reactions may be homogeneous or heterogeneous. Metal oxides obtained in this manner are expected to have lower surface area and hence may act as a better catalyst.