Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis is a thermoanalytical technique in which the difference in the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a sample and reference is measured as a function of temperature. Both the sample and reference are maintained at nearly the same temperature throughout the experiment.
Generally, the temperature program for a DSC analysis is designed such that the sample holder temperature increases linearly as a function of time. The reference sample should have a well-defined heat capacity over the range of temperatures to be scanned.
Applications:
- Melting and crystallization behavior
- Glass transition temperatures
- Specific heat capacity
- Kinetic studies
- Transition and reaction enthalpies