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Uncovering the three techniques of thermogravimetric analysis: Which is best for your research?
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) is a method that measures the change in mass of a sample over time, usually at elevated temperatures. This technique not only provides information on physical phenomena such as phase transitions, adsorption and desorption, but can also analyze many chemical phenomena including pyrolysis, chemical adsorption, and solid-gas reactions such as oxidation or reduction. In modern materials research, thermogravimetric analysis is used more and more widely.
Thermogravimetric analysis instruments
The instrument that performs thermogravimetric analysis is called a thermogravimetric analyzer. This instrument continuously measures the mass of a sample as it is heated, generating data on mass, temperature and time. When we adjust the temperature to promote thermal reactions, data is collected as a TGA curve, showing the change in mass of the sample at different temperatures.
Thermogravimetric analysis is used for material characterization in many applications, especially polymeric materials. The decomposition pattern of a polymer provides important information on its structure and properties.
Three Types of Thermogravimetric Analysis
Thermogravimetric analysis can be divided into three main techniques:
- Isothermal or static thermogravimetric analysis
- Quasi-static Thermogravimetric Analysis
- Dynamic Thermogravimetric Analysis
Isothermal Thermogravimetric Analysis
In this technique, the change in mass of a sample over time is recorded at a constant temperature and is suitable for evaluating the stability of a material at a specific temperature.
Quasi-static Thermogravimetric Analysis
Quasi-static thermogravimetric analysis is a process of gradually increasing the temperature, in which the sample is kept at a constant temperature range after each temperature increase in order to analyze its quality stability.
Dynamic Thermogravimetric Analysis
Dynamic thermogravimetric analysis is to test the sample in a set linear temperature rising environment. This process can more intuitively reflect the changes in the thermal properties of the material.
Applications of Thermogravimetric Analysis
Thermal stability evaluation
TGA allows researchers to assess the thermal stability of materials, which is particularly important in polymer research. For many polymers, their melting points or decomposition temperatures are below 200°C, but some heat-resistant polymers can withstand temperatures exceeding 300°C in air.
Oxidation and combustion
Thermogravimetric analysis can also be used to study the spontaneous combustion characteristics of materials. When the sample is heated to its ignition point, the data curve can clearly show the residue after combustion, which is especially important for the research of aerospace materials.
NASA research shows that thermogravimetric analysis of the oxidation resistance of copper alloys is an important part of ensuring the recycling of aerospace materials.
Thermogravimetric kinetics
Thermogravimetric analysis helps to explore the reaction mechanism of pyrolysis and combustion processes, and reveals the decomposition characteristics of various materials by analyzing their kinetic parameters.
Thermogravimetric analysis combined with other instruments
Temporally, TGA is often combined with other analytical techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) or mass spectroscopy, which allows for a more in-depth analysis of materials at temperatures up to 2000°C.
With the advancement of science and technology, the technology of thermogravimetric analysis has become increasingly mature and can play an important role in a wide range of material research. From the thermal stability of polymers, to the oxidation behavior of metal alloys, thermogravimetric analysis provides the opportunity to gain in-depth insights into material behavior. Are you also considering incorporating thermogravimetric analysis into your research to gain deeper insights?
