Journal of Thermal Analysis

The acid-catalysed iodination of acetone in aqueous solution was used to test three dynamic kinetic equations. The Freeman and Carroll treatment yields the most satisfactory results.

The thermal stability of the solid solutions of Fe2Mo1–xTixO4 for x=0.0 to 1.0 in air, had been investigated in the temperature range 303–1173 K using differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry (DTA and TG). The products obtained by heating the sample in air, at different temperatures, have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and IR-studies. The results show that all the ferrite samples undergo surface oxidation during initial heating. On heating to 823 K, the samples undergo oxidation of the octahedral site cations only and forma cation deficient spinel phase. On further heating in air, the ferrites undergo complete oxidation.

Reduced charge montmorillonites (RCM) were prepared by the thermal treatment of lithiumsaturated montmorillonite. Samples prepared by mild thermal treatment with lithium contained more water sorbed than the original montmorrilonite. When RCMs were prepared, part of the lithium cations reacted with hydroxyl groups in the octahedral sheet and released protons, which reacted with the structure. Acid treatment probably enhanced the surface area. which was reflected in the amount of water sorbed. Deprotonation of hydroxyl groups was proved by the measurements of the ignition loss. The heating of lithium saturated montmorillonite at higher temperatures brough about the collapse of the interlayers and a decrease in the amount of water sorbed.

The determination of heat capacity data with sawtooth-type, temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry is analyzed using the Mettler-Toledo 820 ADSC™temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimeter (TMDSC). Heat capacities were calculated via the amplitudes of the first and higher harmonics of the Fourier series of the heat flow and heating rates. At modulation periods lower than about 150 s, the heat capacity deviates increasingly to smaller values and requires a calibration as function of frequency. An earlier derived correction function which was applied to the sample temperature-controlled power compensation calorimeter enables an empirical correction down to modulation periods of about 20 s. The correction function is determined by analysis of the higher harmonics of the Fourier transform from a single measurement of sufficient long modulation period. The correction function reveals that the time constant of the instrument is about 5 s rad−1 when a standard aluminum pan is used. The influence of pan type and sample mass on the time constant is determined, the correction for the asymmetry of the system is described, and the effect of smoothing of the modulated heat flow rate data is discussed.

The increment of heat capacity at the glass transition for semi-crystalline poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) observed by temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) shows significant deviations from a simple crystalline/amorphous two-phase model. Introduction of a rigid amorphous fraction, which is non-crystalline but which also does not participate in the normal glass transition, allows a much better description of the transition behaviour in semi-crystalline PET. Certain questions arise such as what is the rigid amorphous fraction and over what temperature range do these rigid amorphous segments devitrify? These TMDSC results show that the rigid amorphous component may be treated as an interphase between amorphous and crystalline phases. This interphase does not exhibit a separate glass transition temperature at temperatures above the normal Tg. The suggestion is made that the glass transition of the rigid amorphous component occurs continually between the glass transition temperature of the amorphous phase and up to about 135°C for this particular sample of PET.

Temperature-modulated DSC (TMDSC) measurements at reasonably high frequencies allow for the determination of base-line heat capacity. In this particular case vitrification and devitrification of the rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) can be directly observed. 0.01 Hz seems to be a reasonably high frequency for bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC). The RAF of PC is established during isothermal crystallization. Devitrification of the RAF seems to be related to the lowest endotherm. For PC the melting of small crystals between the lamellae is expected to yield the lowest endotherm.

The combustibilities ofcis-1,4-polyisoprene and its peroxide and sulphur vulcanizates have been investigated by means of the oxygen index method. The temperature distribution in the sample and the molecular weight of the liquid products formed as a result of elastomer destruction in the combustion zone have been measured. It has been found that the combustibility ofcis- 1,4-polyisoprene diminishes as its cross-link density increases. This effect is much stronger for sulphur than for peroxide vulcanizates. The investigations lead to the conclusion that a mechanism of network degradation and volatile sulphur compounds penetrating to the flame are responsible for this difference.