Isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC) is a common
and powerful
tool in thermodynamics and related fields, and the connection between
the solution behavior and raw titration curve is complex, important,
and worth studying, so we try to discuss this problem using a complex
solid–solid–liquid diagram. Although there are many
experimental methods for studying ternary phase diagrams, ITC has
been proven to be a simple, universal method at normal temperature
and pressure. This method can be extended to investigate phase diagrams
of multisalt aqueous solutions and related systems. Here, the phase
equilibrium of one common ternary system
(
NaCl + Na
2
SO
4
+ H
2
O) was determined using the
ITC method with the aid of X-ray diffraction measurements. This isothermal
and isobaric titration method can be used not only to determine the
boundaries of different phase regions by analyzing changes in the
slope of the observed heat vs solvent concentration plot but also
to provide additional accurate data regarding the solid dissolution
enthalpy and the dilution enthalpy. The dissolution enthalpy of 1
mol NaCl (Na
2
SO
4
) solid dissolving in water
to just form a saturated solution is measured at 1.92 kJ/mol (−15.60
kJ/mol), and the dissolution enthalpy of the mixed solids can be evaluated
with these data. The dilution enthalpy is strongly dependent on the
solute concentration (0.08–0.23 kJ/mol at the range of concentration
studied), and for the same range concentration of a solute, the dilution
enthalpy of Na
2
SO
4
is positive and larger than
that of NaCl. Therefore, the connection between the observed heat
and the microscopic behavior and the separation between the dissolution
and dilution data may result in the possibility to gain a clearer
understanding about the solution behaviors.