| abstract |
Chemical reactions are accelerated by applying an electromagnetic field to result in dielectric heating of a solid material containing a bound retractant. A composite is provided containing a solid dielectric material susceptibl to dielectric heating and a specific binding molecule for the reactant. Microwaves are applied to the composite to result in dielectric heating of the solid material to accelerate reaction of the reactant. In another embodiment, the composite is contacted with a reactant-containing solution to bind the reactant to the composite, a composite-reactant complex to result in dielectric heating of the solid material and accelerating conversion of the reactant to a product. Binding molecules include molecularly imprinted polymers, zeolites, antibodies, enzymes, cavitands, receptors, ligands, and nucleic acids. Dielectric materials include inorganic titanates, niobates, ferroelectric polymers, clays and oxides. |