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Power Point Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol

ISSN 2637-7756

Thermal Methods of Analysis

Nirav Soni*
Department of Quality Assurance, India

*Corresponding author: Nirav Soni, Department of Quality Assurance, India

Submission: October 19, 2017; Published: December 22, 2017

Content
b. Mass is lost if the substance contains a volatile fraction.
a. Fundamental Definition.
II. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
b. Theory.
a. Provides information about thermal changes that do not
c. Instrumentation and Applications of Thermo Gravimetric
involve a change in sample mass.
Analysis (TGA).
b. More commonly used technique than TGA.
d. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA).
c. Two basic types of DSC instruments: heat-flux and power
e. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
compensation.
f. Thermo Mechanical Analysis (TMA) (Figure 1).
Thermal Methods
Thermal analysis incorporates those techniques in which some
physical parameter of the system is determined and recorded as
a function of temperature (∆T). Measurements based on dynamic
relationships between temperature and Mass, Volume, Heat of
reaction. Thermal methods are as following

a. Thermo Gravimetry Analysis (TGA).

b. Derivative Thermogravimetric Analysis (DTG).

c. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA).

Figure 1:
d. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
Fundamental Definition
e. Thermometric Titration (Table 1).
Thermogravimetry (TG)
Table 1: Classification of analytical method.
The mass of a sample is measured as a function of the
temperature, which increases linearly e.g. from RT to 1200 ˚C. Name Property Measured Apparatus Involved
Thermogravimetric
Calorimetry Analysis
Change in Weight Thermo balance

It is the process in the study of heat transfer during physical Derivative

Rate of Exchange of
and chemical processes Thermogravimetric Thermobalance
Weight
Analysis
a. A device for measuring the heat transferred. Heat absorbed or
DTA DTA appratus
evolved
b. It was found Lavoisier and Laplace (1782 -1784).
Thermometric Change in
Titration Colorimeter
TGA and DSC titration Temperature
I. Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) Thermogravimetric Analysis
a. Mass change of a substance measured as function Definition
of temperature the substance is subjected to a controlled It is a technique where by the weight of substance, in an
temperature program. environment heated or cooled at a controlled rate, is recorded
as a function of time or temperature. A large number of chemical

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 Modern Applications in Pharmacy & Pharmacology Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol

substances incariably decompose upon heating and this idea Instrumentation

of heating a sample to observe weight changes is the underlying
Two Techniques of Analysis are generally adopted.
principle of TGA. Three Types of TG:
a. Dynamic TGA: Continuous increased in Temperature
a. Isothermal or static TG (Constant T).
Linear with Time.
b. Quasistatic TG (Constant weight).
b. Isothermal TGA: Maintained Constant Temperature for a
c. Dynamic TG (T changing in linear rate). given time during which its weight is recorded.

Principle Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA)

The principle of the technique can be illustrated by the weight Principle
loss curve of compound (Figure 2 & 3). Differential thermal analysis (DTA) involves the technique of
recording the difference in temperature between a substance and
a reference material against either time or temperature. Thus, a
differential thermogram consists of a record of the differences in
sample and reference temperature (differential temperature, ∆T)
plotted as a function of time t, sample temperature (Ts), reference
temperature (Tr) or furnace temperature (Tf). Substance and
reference material are subjected to controlled temperature

a. Emissions of heat (exothermic).

b. Absorptions of heat (endothermic) (Figure 4).

Figure 2: Weight loss curve of compound.
AA’: compound is stable.
A’B’: weight loss.
Ti: Procedural decomposition temperature (Lowest T at
which the cumulative mass change reaches a magnitude
that the thermo balance can detect).
Tf: Final temperature.
Ti-Tf: Reaction interval.

Figure 4: Principle.

Sharp endothermic peaks give ideas of changes in crystallinity

or fusion processes whereas broad endosperms signify dehydration
reactions. Physical changes give rise to endothermic curves whereas
chemical reactions (particularly those of an oxidative nature) give
rise to exothermic peaks. DTA allows the detection of every physical
or chemical change whether or not it is accompanied by a change
in weight.

Figure 3: Temperature vs ∆W (weight loss) calcium oxalate. Factors affecting the DTA curve

Basic principles of thermal analysis The DTA curve is affected by a larger number of factors than the
TG curve. Majority of these factors are common to TG and hence will
Modern instrumentation used for thermal analysis usually not be discussed but only their special influences on DTA curves
consists of four parts: will be considered. The various factors affecting die DTA curve are
a. Sample/sample holder. as follows:

b. Sensors to detect/measure a property of the sample and a. Environmental factors.

the temperature. b. Instrumental factors.
c. An enclosure within which the experimental parameters c. Sample factors.
may be controlled.
Environmental factors: The DTA technique is more sensitive
d. A computer to control data collection and processing. to the gaseous environment around the sample. The reaction of

How to cite this article: Nirav S. Thermal Methods of Analysis. Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol. 1(2). MAPP.000509. 2017. DOI: 10.31031/MAPP.2017.01.000509 2/8
 Modern Applications in Pharmacy & Pharmacology Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol

gaseous atmosphere with the sample may also produce extra peaks Sample Holders
in the curve. For example
Material
a. Oxygen in air which causes an oxidation reaction may give Both metallic as well as non-metallic materials are employed
rise to an exothermic peak. for the fabrication of sample holders. Metallic materials generally
b. If we record the DTA of lignite in the dynamic nitrogen include nickel, stainless steel (up to 1000 °C), platinum and its alloys.
atmosphere, it pyrolyses and distils off volatile matter. However, Metallic holders give rise to sharp exotherms and flat endotherms.
in the dynamic oxygen atmosphere, the lignite oxidizes, Non-metallic material generally includes glass, vitreous silica
resulting exothermic instead of endothermic peaks. or sintered alumina. Non-metallic holders yield relatively sharp
endotherms and flat exotherms (Figure 6).
Instrumental factors

a. Sample holder: The geometry and the material used

in the fabrication of the sample holder affect the resolution,
shape and size of the DTA peaks. For better resolution, the size
of holders and the amount of sample should be as small as
possible.

b. Differential temperature sensing devices: The positions

of the temperature measuring the differential thermocouples
affect the intensity of the peaks, shapes of the peaks and the
base line. However, one gets best results when the differential
temperature is plotted against the sample temperature.

c. Temperature-programmer controller: One should

be quite careful while selecting temperature- programmer
Figure 6: Geometry.
controller because a constant heating rate is required in DTA.
Furnace
d. Thermal regime: The heating rate has a great influence
on the DTA curves. Higher the heating rates, higher the peak a. Always prefer a tubular furnace. This is constructed with
temperatures and sharper the peaks with greater intensity. an appropriate material (wire or ribbon) wound on a refractory
Heating rates of 10 to 20 °C per minute are employed. tube.

e. Recorder: DTA curve is greatly influenced by the type, b. Another important characteristic of furnace is its
chart-speed and pen-response of a recorder. dimension which depends mainly upon the length of the
uniform temperature zone desired.
Sample characteristics
c. Calculate dimension of the furnace by taking into account
a. Physical: The degree of crystallinity of the sample also
the size of me sample holder, length of uniform temperature
affects the DTA curves. The weight of the sample also influences
zone, heating rates, and cost.
the peak intensity and temperatures. Both these increase with
increasing weight. Particle size. Temperature Control
b. Chemical: The chemical reactivity of the sample, the To control temperature, the three basic elements are required.
sample holder, thermocouple material, the ambient gaseous a. Sensor
environment and added diluents greatly alter the DTA peaks
(Figure 5). b. control element

c. heater

The control element governs rate of heat-input required to

match heat loss from the system.

Recorder
The signals obtained from the sensors can be recorded in which
the signal trace is produced on paper or film by ink, heating style,
electric writing or optical beam. The mode of analog recording is
two types:

a. Deflection type: In this the recording pen is moved directly

Figure 5: Instrumentation. by the input signal.

How to cite this article: Nirav S. Thermal Methods of Analysis. Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol. 1(2). MAPP.000509. 2017. DOI: 10.31031/MAPP.2017.01.000509 3/8
 Modern Applications in Pharmacy & Pharmacology Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol

b. Null type: In this the input signal is compared with possible with the help of the standard curve of peak area vs. weight.
reference or std signal and difference is amplified and used to
Quality control: DTA technique has been widely used for the
adjust the reference signal until it matches the input signal.
quality control of a large number of substances like cement, glass,
Thermocouples soil, catalysts, textiles, explosives, resins, etc. The characterization
of limestone used in production of Portland cement has been done
In DTA temperature sensor are thermocouples. Selecting the
by DTA. The amount of magnesium carbonate in cements can be
thermocouple as the temp sensor following points are consider
controlled by a quantitative analysis of the DTA curve.
a. Temperature interval.
Inorganic chemistry: DTA technique has been used to study
b. Thermoelectric coefficient. the thermal stability of a large number of inorganic compound
and complexes. DTA technique is preferred because it helps in
c. Chemical compatibility with sample.
distinguishing between reversible phase changes and irreversible
d. Chemical gaseous environment. decompositions. DTA techniques have been used to study oxalates,
e. Availability and cost. metal amine complexes, carbonates and oxides.

It is made of chromel P and alumel wires are used to measure Organic chemistry: DTA investigations have been carried to
and control the temp upto 1100 oC in air. Above 1100 oC should use help identification, purity determination and quantitative analysis
thermocouple made from pure platinum and platinum-rhodium including the evaluation of kinetic parameters of polymers,
alloy wires. explosives, pharmaceuticals, oils, fats and other organic chemicals.

Cooling Device DSC

The cooling system is considered separate from the temperature DSC is a thermo analytical technique in which the difference
programmer because in most instruments cooling is completely in the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a
independent from heating. A simple automatic cooling system. sample and reference are measured. Both the sample and reference
are maintained at nearly the same temperature throughout the
Application experiment. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) is a technique
Physical chemistry for measuring the energy necessary to establish a nearly zero
temperature difference between a substance and an inert reference
Heat of reaction: The derivation of expression relating area
material
under a DTA peak to the heat of reaction has been worked out by
Borchardt and Daniels. They concluded that the peak area ‘A’ in DTA Based on mechanism of operation DSC can be classified into
is always a linear function of heat of reaction ΔH=KA/NO. two types

Specific heat: DTA has been employed by David to determine a. Heat flux DSC
specific heat of substances like naphthalene. The samples do
b. Power Compensated DSC
not undergo any thermal effect other than the normal change in
specific heat. CP was determined by using the following formula: Instrumentation Consists of following components
CP=KK’(b-a)/dmsdT.
a. Thermo-balance
Thermal diffusivity: DTA has been used to determine the
b. Sample Holder
thermal diffusivities by measuring the temperature difference ΔT
between the centre and surface of the sample, heated at a uniform c. Sensors
rate. The thermal diffusivity. D was determined by using me d. Furance
following relation D=βr2/б ΔTs .

Analytical chemistry
Identification of substances: We know that the DTA curve
for two substances is not identical. Therefore, these serve as finger
prints for various substances.

Identification of products: When a substance reacts with

another substance, the products are identified by their specific DTA
curves.

Melting points: It can be easily identified by DTA. So, that

method is used directly to check the purity of the compound.

Quantitative analysis: The area of the peak is proportional to

Figure 7: Heat flux DSC and power compensated DSC.
the total heat of the reaction. Therefore, the quantitative analysis is

How to cite this article: Nirav S. Thermal Methods of Analysis. Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol. 1(2). MAPP.000509. 2017. DOI: 10.31031/MAPP.2017.01.000509 4/8
 Modern Applications in Pharmacy & Pharmacology Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol

e. Temperature Controller (Figure 7, Table 2). Imbalance in the photodiode current is amplified
Table 2: Heat flux DSC and power compensated DSC.

Heat Flux DSC Power Compensated DSC

Amplified photodiode current is monitored
Sample holder:Sample and
reference are connected by a Sample holder: Aluminium, Null point balance: There should be a sensor to detect the
low-resistance heat flow path. platinum, stainless steel pans, deviation of the balance beam from its null position. This deviation
Aluminium, stainless, platinum pans
is directly proportional to the weight change (Figure 8).
sample pans
Sensors: Pt resistance
Sensors: Temperature sensors thermocouples. Separate sensors
usually thermocouples and heaters for the Sample and
reference
Furnace: Separate block for
Furnace: one block for both sample
both sample and reference cells
and reference cells Temperature
Temperature
Temperature controller:
Temperature controller: Temperature differential thermal
Temperature difference between power is supplied to the heaters
the sample and reference is to maintain the temperature of
measured the sample and reference at the
program
Figure 8: Null point balance.
Thermo Balance
This is the most important part of the instrument. Important Sample holder: Aluminium, Platinum , Stainless still pans.
features:- Sensors: Temperature sensors usually Thermocouples.
a. Accuracy Furance: Made from high Quality metal and vary in shape &
b. Sensitivity size

c. Reproducibility a. Temperature 1000-2000 ˚C.

Generally balance should have following characteristics b. For higher temperature tungsten or rhenum
thermocouples are used.
a. It could cover wide range of temperature.
c. Separate block for both sample and reference Cells.
b. Should have high degree of mechanical rigidity and
electronic stability. Temperature controller: Temperature difference between the
sample and reference is measured (Table 3).
c. Temperature recording should be within ±1 ˚C.
Table 3: Difference.
d. Should have an adequate range of automatic wt.
Aspect TGA DTA DSC
adjustment.
Instrument Thermo balance DTA apparatus Calorimeter
e. Should have high degree of mechanical and electronic
Mass vs. temp
stability. Graph ΔT vs. temp. dH/dt vs. temp
or time
f. Rapid response to wt. change. Measure mass
Measure temp Heat absorbed
change as temp
Parameter different during or liberated
g. Unaffected by vibration. measured
or time increase
heating or during heating
during heating
cooling or cooling
Recording thermo balance type or cooling

a. Deflection Thermo balance: Beam type thermo balance Principle

,Helical type thermo balance The basic principle underlying this technique is that, when
b. Null Thermo balance i.e. sensing element attached. the sample undergoes a physical transformation such as phase
transitions, heat or energy will need to maintain both at the same
Deflection balances temperature is calculated
Change in the sample mass
For example, as a solid sample melts to a liquid it will require
more heat flowing to the sample to increase its temperature at the
same rate as the reference. This is due to the endothermic phase
Deflection of the beam
transition from solid to liquid. Likewise, as the sample undergoes
exothermic processes (such as crystallization) less heat is required

How to cite this article: Nirav S. Thermal Methods of Analysis. Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol. 1(2). MAPP.000509. 2017. DOI: 10.31031/MAPP.2017.01.000509 5/8
 Modern Applications in Pharmacy & Pharmacology Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol

to raise the sample temperature. By observing the difference in

heat flow between the sample and reference, differential scanning
calorimeters are able to measure the amount of heat absorbed or
released during such transitions (Table 4 & Figure 9).

Figure 11: Glass transition temperature.

Figure 9: Instrumentation.

Table 4: Difference between DSC & DTA.

Aspect DSC DTA

Size of sample 2-10mg 50-20mg
Sensitivity of Figure 12: Crystallization.
measurement of heat A few joule/mol 0.5kJ/mol
Melting: An endothermic transition. Positive peak. Order to
of transition
disordered transition (Figure 13 & 14).
Specific heat
Accurate Not accurate
measurement

heat q
= = Heatflow
time t
temperature
increase ∆T
= = heatingrate
time t
Heat Capacity
When both samples are subjected to heat, the computer
will plot the difference in heat output of the two heaters against Figure 13: Melting.
temperature. Means we’re plotting the heat absorbed by the sample
against temperature.

Where t=time, ΔT= increase in Temp, q=heat (Figure 10).

Figure 14: DSC thermogram.

Figure 10: Heat capacity. What DSC Can Measure?

Three Phase of DSC Curve a. Glass transitions

The glass transition temperature: An endothermic transition. b. Melting and boiling temp.
Transition from solid to less viscous form. Positive peak (Figure 11). c. Crystallization temp and time.
Crystallization: An exothermic transition. Sharp negative peak. d. Percentage crystallinity.
Disorder to order transition. For measuring latent heat observed in
glassy solid e.g. Polymer (Figure 12). e. Heat of fusion and reaction.

How to cite this article: Nirav S. Thermal Methods of Analysis. Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol. 1(2). MAPP.000509. 2017. DOI: 10.31031/MAPP.2017.01.000509 6/8
 Modern Applications in Pharmacy & Pharmacology Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol

f. Specific heat capacity. d. Light stable

g. Oxidative/thermal stability. e. Not hygroscopic

h. Reaction kinetic. f. Do not react (pan, atmosphere)metals

i. Purity. g. Indium 156.6 °c; 28.45j/g

Application h. Zinc 419.47 °c, 108.17j/g inorganics

For measuring no. of characteristic of sample by observe fusion i. Kno3128.7 °c
and crystallization events as well as glass transition temperatures
j. Kclo4299.4 °c organics polystyrene 105 °c
(Tg). In quantitative analysis finger printing of clays, polymers,
minerals. For sample purity melting point. DSC can also be used k. Benzoic acid 122.3 °c; 147.3 j/g
to study oxidation, as well as other chemical reaction. Using
Baseline calibration: Evaluation of the thermal resistance
differential scanning calorimetry to study the oxidative stability
of the sample and reference sensors. Measurements over the
of samples. In the pharmaceutical industry it is necessary to have
temperature range of interest (Figure 15).
well- characterized drug compounds in order to define processing
parameters. DSC may also be used in the study of liquid crystals. As
matter transitions between solid and liquid it often goes through a
third state. This anisotropic liquid is known as a liquid crystalline or
mesomorphous state. Using DSC, it is possible to observe the small
energy changes that occur as matter transitions from a solid to a
liquid crystal and from a liquid crystal to an isotropic liquid. DSC
is widely used in polymer industries for studying curing processes,
The cross-linking of polymer molecules that occurs in the curing
process is exothermic give positive peak. In food science research,
DSC is used in conjunction with other thermal analytical techniques
to determine water dynamics and determination of oils and fats. Figure 15: Baseline calibration.
For metallic material it is possible to use DSC to find solidus and
Sample preparation: Small sample masses and low heating
liquidus temperature of a metal alloy
rates increase resolution, but at the expense. Accurately-weighed
a. Glass transition temp. samples (~3-20mg, usually 3-5mg for simple powders). Small
sample pans (0.1ml) of inert or treated metals (al, pt, stainless).
b. Heats of crystallization and fusion.
Several pan configurations, e.g., open, pinhole, or hermetically-
c. Heats of curing reaction. sealed pan. Same material and configuration should be used for
the sample and the reference. Material should completely cover the
d. Heat of decomposition.
bottom of the pan to ensure good thermal contact. Avoid overfilling
e. Heat of vaporization and heats of solution. the pan to minimize thermal lag from the bulk of the material to the
sensor aluminum, platinum, Ni, Cu, quartz (Figure 16).
DSC curves may also be used to evaluate drug and polymer
purities.

DSC calibration
Temperature: Match melting onset temperatures to the known
melting points of standards analyzed.

DSC: Should be calibrated as close to desire temperature range

Figure 16: Sample preparation.
as possible.

Heat flow: Use calibration standards of known heat capacity, Purge gases: Sample may react with air-oxidising or burning.
slow accurate heating rates (0.5-2.0 °c/min), and similar sample Control moisture content of atmosphere control atmosphere.
and reference pan weights. Use inert gas e.g. Nitrogen or argon use argon. Flowing purge gas
flowing gas. In some cases deliberately choose reactive gas, e.g.
Calibrants hydrogen to reduce an oxide to metal, carbon dioxide which affects
a. High purity decomposition of metal carbonate. Removes waste products from
sublimation or decompositionde composition.
b. Accurately known enthalpies
Best practices for thermal analysis: Proper instrument
c. Thermally stable
calibration. Use purge gas (n2 or he) to remove corrosive off-gases.

How to cite this article: Nirav S. Thermal Methods of Analysis. Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol. 1(2). MAPP.000509. 2017. DOI: 10.31031/MAPP.2017.01.000509 7/8
 Modern Applications in Pharmacy & Pharmacology Mod Appl Pharm Pharmacol

Small sample size. Good thermal contact between the sample and Table 5: Difference between DSC & DTA.
the temperature- sensing device. Proper sample encapsulation. DTA DSC
Start temperature well below expected transition temperature. Slow
Temperature difference Measured Heat is measured
scanning speeds (unless aiming to obscure thermal transitions, e.g.
Semi Quantitative Qualtitative
fast scan DSC). Avoid decomposition in the DSC (Run TGA first -it’s
easier to clean up!) [1-15](Table 5 & 6). Less Precise and costly More precise and costly
Comparative Method Not Comparative Method
Heater NOT individual used
Individual Used (Figure 18)
(Figure 17)

Figure 17: DTA. Figure 18: DSC.

Table 6: Thermal analysis techniques.

Abbreviation of the
Name of the Technique Instrument Employed Parameter Measured Graph
Technique
Thermogravimetry TG Thermobalance Mass Mass Vs. T or time
Derivative
DTG Thermobalance dm/dt dm/dt vs. T
Thermogravimetry
Differential Thermal
DTA DTA apparatus ∆T ∆T vs T
Analysis
Differential Scanning
DSC Calorimeter dH/dt dH/dt vs. T
Calorimetry
Thermometric titrimetry Calorimeter T T vs. Titrant Volume
Dynamic Reflectance
DRS Spectrophotometer Reflectance %Reflectance vs. T
Spectroscopy
Evolved Gas Detection EGD Thermal Conductivity Cell Thermal Conductivity (TC) TC vs T
Thermo mechanical
TMA Dilatometer Volume or Length Volume or Length vs. T
Analysis
Current (I) or Resistance
Electrical Conductivity EC Electrometer I or R vs. T
(R)
Emanation Thermal
ETA ETA apparatus Radioactivity (E) E vs. T
Analysis

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