Vol 26, No 3 (2017)

The current issue of International Journal of Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the ‘solid flame’ discovery, by A.G. Merzhanov, V.M. Shkiro, and I.P. Borovinskaya in 1967, which led to the development of rapid synthesis methods based on exothermic reactions in condensed systems. Today, Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) and Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS) are very popular preparation techniques for numerous simple and complex compounds including oxygen-free ceramics, oxides, chalcogenides, metals, alloys, and composites in the form of nanoscale powders, porous items, thin films, etc. The present issue consists of brief topical review articles by active researchers in the field. The articles cover principles and some recent developments in SHS and SCS.

Solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is a preparation technique that can be used to synthesize a variety of inorganic nanomaterials and structured catalysts. It is based on a self-propagating exothermic redox reaction between organic salts and a fuel mixed together in an aqueous solution, which results in the formation of nanocrystalline and highly pure solid nanomaterials. SCS can be considered as an attractive synthesis method for catalysts due to the simple nature of the synthetic route and short reaction times. The process is easily scaled up to any kind of application which makes it economically attractive. This mini-review provides a short overview on the synthesis of structured catalysts by SCS and their recent utilization for energy applications and pollution control.

This brief review discusses principles and some latest developments in electrically activated combustion synthesis. Processes discussed include field-activated combustion synthesis (FACS), field-activated pressure-assisted synthesis (FAPAS), reactive spark plasma sintering (R-SPS), electrothermal explosion (ETE), and electrostatic-field-activated combustion synthesis (EFACS). These processes have demonstrated clear benefits to the process of combustion synthesis through the application of electric field. Although a significant amount of works have been published in the area, there still remain some directions within the field where sustained research may provide even more scientific reward.