Role of interfaces in materials synthesis under electromagnetic field

Advancements in synthesis science and the introduction of various nanostructured materials in the industry have stimulated fundamental research to the path for scalable and cost-effective manufacturing techniques. In response to the growing demand for the fabrication of dense industrial products, microwave and laser-assisted synthesis have expanded significantly due to their effectiveness in producing various materials with desired microstructures. The microstructure is primarily shaped by the interaction of the electromagnetic field with the interfaces at the surface of the films or inside the bulk materials. The ponderomotive force (PMF) and its role is modeled and quantified to explain the microstructure evolution under the electromagnetic field. The model illustrates that near the interfaces, the net direction of the PMF can conduct a mass transport toward or away from the interfaces to fill or deplete the pores depending on the field properties and the interface geometries. Moreover, it shows that PMF can facilitate the diffusion of mobile ionic species and accelerate the reaction between the constituent elements. The results contribute to our physical understanding and control of the field-assisted synthesis to develop reproducible and scalable production approaches.