Microwave irradiation as an instrument for tuning of physicochemical and catalytic properties of MFe2O4 spinels

Herein, a literature review on the application of microwave irradiation (MW) for the synthesis of MFe₂O₄ spinels (M: Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺) and oxidation processes of organic pollutants as well as hydrogen production with the use of such catalysts was conducted. The main attention was focused on the tuning of the particle size of spinels and their physicochemical properties by using MW synthesis. The advantages of MW synthesis are shown in comparison with traditional thermal heating (TH). The physicochemical and catalytic properties of MFe₂O₄ spinel obtained under the conditions of MW and TH are compared.