Scanning AC nanocalorimetry and its applications

Abstract

Scanning AC nanocalorimetry using thermistor-based nanocalorimetry sensors enables calorimetric measurements on nanoscale quantities of materials over a wide range of scanning rates (from isothermal to 3×103 K/s), temperatures (up to 1400 K), and environments. The range of scanning rates bridges the gap between adiabatic nanocalorimetry and bulk calorimetry. As such, the technique can be used to address a broad range of materials problems, and it is especially well suited to investigate the kinetics of phase transformations in thin films. Because AC nanocalorimetry is largely insensitive to heat loss, it is ideal for studying solid-state reactions at elevated temperatures, as well as solid-gas phase reactions. The dynamic range of scanning AC nanocalorimetry makes it compatible with in situ characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, allowing simultaneous structural and thermal characterization of the samples as a function of temperature.