Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
hydrothermal research (both crystal growth and materials processing) is not toward
higher pressure and higher temperature conditions, but definitely toward the lower-
ing of the pressure and the temperature conditions, which will facilitate in situ
observation. This will also provide new stimuli for the fabrication of simpler (may
be even silica and composites based) and larger autoclaves. As the design and fab-
rication of the autoclaves becomes simpler and easier, the cost will automatically
go down, thereby making them more attractive to specialists. In the last quarter
century, as we see from the statistics discussed earlier in this chapter, more new
applications for hydrothermal technique are being reported continuously. It is pre-
dicted that it will merge with soft solution chemistry and soft solution processing
by being more compatible with the biosphere. It will come out as an important tool
for the development of advanced materials with limited resources and energy con-
sumption. These materials are less hazardous to living species, also environmen-
tally friendly without firing or sintering at ultrahigh temperatures, or melting or
plasma or vaporizing. Because the energy consumed in attaining the melt or vapor
or plasma conditions is very high, it proves to be environmentally unfriendly.
Hence, the future of hydrothermal technology lies in promoting the lower pressure
and lower temperature conditions for crystal growth and materials processing
including nanomaterials. We have made an attempt to expose the reader to the
above-mentioned aspects of hydrothermal growth and materials processing in the
forthcoming chapters.
References
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281.
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