Microwave-induced temperature fields in graphite powder heated in a waveguide reactor

Microwave-enabled exfoliation of graphite oxides has been recently shown to be capable of quickly producing graphene sheets of larger size and with fewer defects with the potential for low-cost mass production. In this paper, we investigate microwave heating of graphite powder in a waveguide reactor using multiphysics macroscopic modeling and experimentation. High heating rate and strong non-uniformity of temperature field are demonstrated and discussed as the key characteristics that require rigorous control in processes involving microwave heating of graphite powder.