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Did you know how DSC accurately measures thermal changes in materials?
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a thermal analysis technique that accurately measures the thermal changes in a material by comparing the difference in the amount of heat required by a sample to a reference material. The sample and reference materials were kept operating at almost the same temperature throughout the experiment. Usually the DSC analysis temperature program is designed to increase linearly with time. The sample used as a reference must have good heat capacity stability over the temperature range of the scan, as well as high purity and little change during the temperature scan. Due to its functionality and reliability, this technology is widely used in industry, such as quality control of materials and research on thermal properties.
The development history of DSC
This technology was developed in 1962 by E. S. Watson and M. J. O'Neill and commercialized in 1963 at the Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy Conference in Pittsburgh. The first adiabatic differential scanning calorimeter that could be used in biochemistry was developed in 1964 by P. L. Privalov and D. R. Monaselidze at the Faculty of Physics in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Types of DSC
DSC mainly has two forms: heat flow DSC and power differential DSC. Heat flow DSC measures the difference in heat flow between a sample and a reference, while power differential DSC records the difference in power required to maintain a constant temperature between the two.
Thermal flow DSC uses an integrated temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the sample and reference and calculates the change in heat flow; while the power differential DSC records the required temperature by controlling the temperature on each side in a thermally insulated furnace. electricity.
Detection of phase changes
The basic principle of differential scanning calorimetry is that when a sample undergoes a phase change, the amount of heat required to keep the sample at the same temperature as the reference will differ. This difference is due to the absorption or release of heat during physical changes. For example, when a solid sample melts into a liquid, it requires more heat to maintain the same temperature as the reference material. Conversely, less heat is required during exothermic processes such as crystallization. By looking at the difference in heat flow between a sample and a reference, DSC can accurately measure the amount of heat released or absorbed during these phase changes.
Application of DSC curve
The result of the DSC experiment is a curve plotted as the heat flow changes with temperature or time. The curve can be used to calculate the enthalpy of phase change and analyze the thermodynamic properties of the system. DSC technology is widely used in polymers, liquid crystals, and pharmaceuticals. It helps to study the thermal transformation properties of materials and can measure important parameters such as melting point and crystallization point.
In drug analysis, DSC is used to precisely control process parameters to ensure that drugs are processed at the appropriate temperature to prevent crystallization. This makes this technology highly valued in the pharmaceutical industry.
Experimental considerations
When performing DSC measurements, there are multiple experimental and environmental parameters that need to be considered. The condition of the sample, the speed of the temperature scan and the crucible used will all affect the results. In general, using chemically stable materials and choosing the right crucible material (such as aluminum, gold or platinum) are critical to maintaining measurement accuracy.
Conclusion
In many industries and research, differential scanning calorimetry has become an indispensable analytical tool, helping scientists understand and control the thermal properties of materials. With the advancement of technology, DSC can not only analyze complex thermal changes, but can also be extended to the quality control of raw materials and the development of new materials. So, how do you maximize the potential of DSC technology to improve material properties?
