ABSTRACT There is a growing interest in calcium ferrite due to its diverse applications, including catalysis, magnetic storage, and environmental remediation. Conventional synthesis methods often involve prolonged heating processes. Microwave heating offers an intriguing alternative, leveraging its ability to induce rapid material synthesis. However, the response of lime and hematite to microwave heating is highly contrastive. This research delves into the synthesis of calcium ferrite under microwave heating, aiming for rapid and efficient formation. Experiments were conducted with or without a susceptor using an equimolar ratio of pure lime and hematite in the form of a pellet. Susceptor heating is necessary for the substances that do not easily absorb microwaves. The experimental results indicated that the calcium ferrite does not form even if the pellet is heated for 50 min without a susceptor. However, with the use of a susceptor, the calcium ferrite forms in 8 min of heating. The X-ray microtomography analysis reveals that the porosity ratios of 6- and 8 min-treated pellets are 2.34% and 2.65%, respectively. Also, most of the pores for all cases lie within 0–250 μm. FE-SEM micrographs also support the formation of a highly porous structure of calcium ferrite for 8 min treated pellet.
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