10 - Hydrothermal Technology for Nanotechnology—A Technology for Processing of Advanced Materials

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the hydrothermal technology – its current trends in materials processing, the new concepts emerging out in recent years and the future trends in hydrothermal research. During the twenty-first century, hydrothermal technology, on the whole, will not just be limited to the crystal growth, or leaching of metals, but it is going to take on a very broad shape, covering several interdisciplinary branches of science. The hydrothermal processing of fine particles, ultra-fine particles and nanoparticles has been discussed with suitable examples. A major challenge in the nanomaterials science is the accurate control of the size and shape, which in turn is directly linked with the nanomaterials processing method. In this context, hydrothermal technology for nanotechnology plays a prominent role in materials processing. The processing of hybrid materials and bioceramics has also been covered in this chapter. Recovery, recycling, decomposition, and treatment processes, under hydrothermal conditions, are going to play a major role in the twenty-first century.