Differential thermal analysis crystallization temperature determination using

In many cases, high-temperature modifications of sulfidic compounds cannot be quenched for room temperature examination. Inversion twinnings, crystal morphology, or other crystallographic features may indicate the appearance of polymorphism. Under these circumstances differential thermal analysis (DTA) can be suitable for the determination of the exact phase transition temperatures. DTA determinations are practically valuable if used in conjunction with high-temperature X-ray diffraction methods. DTA apparatus can operate up to 1100 °C and can be specially designed for sulfides2-4) individual experimental techniques are included in these references. 

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are similar techniques. They measure change in the heat capacity of a sample. These techniques can be used to determine various transition temperatures (T , Tg, T , Tp, etc.), specific heat, heat of fusion, percent crystallinity, onset of degradation temperature, induction time, reaction rate, crystallization rate, etc. A DSC instrument operates by compensating electrically for a change in sample heat. The power for heating is controlled in such a way that the temperature of the sample and the reference is the same. The vertical axis of a DSC temperature scan shows the heat flow in cal/s. 

Thermal analysis of glasses using the differential scanning calorimeter has become a major technique for determination of the effect of temperature on glasses. The speed of measurement, combined with the small sample size and ease of sample preparation, leads to the use of the DSC for many measurements. Determination of the glass transformation and Active temperatures, crystallization temperatures and kinetics, and estimation of nucleation and viscosity curves have become routine using this instrument. 

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