Thermal Analysis
Thermal analysis includes a group of analytical methods by which a physical property of a substance is measured as a function of temperature while the substance is subjected to a controlled temperature and atmosphere.
With differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) a small sample is heated or cooled using a controlled temperature program in a controlled atmosphere and the heat flow to or from the sample in comparison to a reference is determined.
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) permits the continuous determination of sample weight as a function of a temperature / time program and in various atmospheres. Typically, only a few milligrams of a polymer sample is heated with 10 or 20 K min-1 in N2 or O2 to determine its decomposition onset temperature, or the loss of low molecular weight components like residual solvent, plasticizer, etc.
Nano differential scanning fluorimetry (nanoDSF) enables the precise determination of protein melting points, for example for stability screening over time or in different buffers. Typically, a few microliters of sample are heated up to 95 °C with a controlled temperature ramp, while the intrinsic fluorescence at 330 nm and 350 nm is recorded. The intrinsic protein fluorescence stems from tryptophan (or tyrosin) residues and changes in a way specific for each protein upon unfolding.
Determination of:
- melting temperature and melting enthalpy
- glass transition temperature
- specific heat capacity
- temperature and enthalpy change of other phase transitions
- degree of cystallinity of a polymer sample
- mass loss as a function of temperature
- protein melting points
- degree of protein denaturation
Equipment:
TGA, DSC, nanoDSF
| Contact: | Petra Räder |
| Telephone: | 06131-379-224 |