Thermal analysis: basic concept of differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry for beginners

Abstract

We present an overview for the basic fundamental of thermal analysis, which is applicable for educational purposes, especially for lecturers at the universities, who may refer to the articles as the references to “teach” or to “lecture” to final year project students or young researchers who are working on their postgraduate projects. Description of basic instrumentation [i.e. differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA)] covers from what we should know about the instrument, calibration, baseline and samples’ signal. We also provide the step-by-step guides for the estimation of the glass transition temperature after DSC as well as examples and exercises are included, which are applicable for teaching activities. Glass transition temperature is an important property for commercial application of a polymeric material, e.g. packaging, automotive, etc. TGA is also highlighted where the analysis gives important thermal degradation information of a material to avoid sample decomposition during the DSC measurement. The step-by-step guides of the estimation of the activation energy after TGA based on Hoffman’s Arrhenius-like relationship are also provided.

Thermal Properties and Morphological Studies of Poly(ethylene oxide) with the Addition of Salt or Nanofiller

“…The T g of a polymer is defined as the temperature region at which the polymer structure change from glassy to liquid states. [ 39 ] T g value reflects the properties of the amorphous region. The T g of a polymer may vary with the addition of second component.…”

“…The ΔC P was estimated as displayed in Example for determination of ΔC P for the polymer-salt and polymer-nanofiller systems. [39] Figure 1 and calculated using Equation ( 2) below.…”

“…Figure 1.Example for determination of ΔC P for the polymer-salt and polymer-nanofiller systems [39]. …”

Mystifications and misconceptions of lignin: revisiting understandings

“…3a). 165 Unfortunately, neither IUPAC nor ICTAC (International Confederation for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry) settles or takes a stand on the issue. This is an important point to be defined once the discrepancy between these temperatures can reach dozens of differences (Fig.…”

Comparative analysis of the energy content of diverse fuels performed via thermogravimetric investigations

“…Thermogravimetric (TG) is a well-known, analysis-based method, through which changes are established in a mass sample loss, during the required heat addition [8], [9].…”