Catalysis sample handling

As outlined in Section 2.2.4.1, impurities and catalysts may decrease To significantly a decrease of 100°C is not unusual. The material of construction of the sample cup may act as a catalyst, resulting in surface-induced decomposition which may even be promoted by the sample/surface area ratio in the DSC cup. Therefore, it is important to check if the substance is catalyzed during the DSC experiment and if such catalysis is representative of process conditions. Frequently, substances that are sensitive to catalysis are handled in passivated glass-lined reactors, receptacles, or containers. Another phenomenon to recognize is autocatalytic decomposition. Substances that are susceptible to autocatalytic decomposition have an induction period prior to initiation of rapid decomposition. The same holds for substances that contain inhibitors, which can be depleted. 

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