By Movitha Mohandas

THERMAL ANALYSIS
Techniques in which a physical property of a substance is measured as a function of temperature whilst the substance is subjected to a controlled temperature programme.

In practice thermal analysis gives properties like; enthalpy, thermal capacity, mass changes and the coefficient of heat expansion.

THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
A technique where the mass of a material is measured as a function of temperature or time while the sample is subjected to a controlled temperature program in a controlled atmosphere

Heat transfer from crucible to recording microbalance & thermo elements

Mechanisms of weight change

Weight Loss:

Decomposition: The breaking apart of

chemical bonds. Evaporation: The loss of volatiles with elevated temperature. Reduction: Interaction of sample to a reducing atmosphere (hydrogen, ammonia, etc). Desorption.

 Weight Gain:
Oxidation: Interaction of the

sample with an oxidizing atmosphere. Absorption.

Thermogram of calcium oxalate

Reactions involved

Environmental considerations
Avoid areas near heater or air

conditioner ducts Avoid tables with drawers or those near a door For optimum results, use a marble table

A Few Applications
To characterize materials such as

polymers, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals To yield information such as composition and thermal stability

 Solid state chemistry uses thermal analysis

for studying reactions in the solid state, thermal degradation reactions, phase transitions and phase diagrams.