Question

Which of the following statements is true for hydrothermal methods?

(a) It uses temperature above its cooling point

(b) It uses temperature below its cooling point

(c) It uses temperature above its boiling point

(d) It is not at all related with the temperature

The question was asked in an internship interview.

Origin of the question is High Pressure and Hydrothermal Methods in division Preparative Methods of Solid State Chemistry

Answer 1

Right answer is (b) It uses temperature below its cooling point

Explanation: Hydrothermal methods utilize water under pressure and at temperatures above its normal boiling point as a means of speeding up the reactions between solids. The water performs two roles. The water-as liquid or vapour-serve as the pressure transmitting medium.