Emanation Thermal Analysis: Ready to fulfill the future needs of materials characterization

The paper reviews the actual state of the development and use of emanation thermal analysis (ETA). Examples of its recent applications are presented. The advantages of ETA in the microstructure characterization of materials under in situ conditions of their heat treatment are outlined.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Theory of Emanation Thermal Analysis: XI. Radon diffusion as the probe of microstructure changes in solids

The theoretical background for the use of radon diffusion as a probe of microstructure changes in solids is given. The high sensitivity of the emanation thermal analysis (ETA) in the study of solid state processes especially interactions taking place on surfaces and in the near surface layers is described. The increasing sensitivity of the method towards bulk processes with rising temperature is theoretically shown. The background considerations to be used in the mathematical modeling of temperature dependences of the radon release from solids on heating (i.e. simulated ETA curves) are presented. Various models for radon diffusion and various functions describing the annealing of structure irregularities, which served as diffusion paths for radon, were used in the modeling. It was shown, that ETA is able to characterize microstructure changes in the surface layers of the thickness from several nanometers to several micrometers.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Formation of B-C-N Ceramics Investigated by Emanation Thermal Analysis, TG and DTA

Processes taking place during formation of B-C-N ceramics by thermal treatment of organic precursors were investigated using emanation thermal analysis (ETA), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG). An additional information about thermal behavior of precursors used for preparation of BC4N, BN and CNx ceramic systems by heating in argon up to 1100°C was obtained. The ETA enabled us to characterize microstructure changes in the samples at in situ conditions of thermal treatment. A good agreement of ETA, TG and DTA results was found. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Use of Emanation Thermal Analysis in Characterisation of Nanosized Hematite Prepared by Dry Grinding of Goethite

Hematite nanoparticles of narrow size distribution were prepared by grinding of goethite. Intermediate and final products of grinding were characterised by different techniques, including the less-common emanation thermal analysis (ETA). ETA was shown to be a useful technique for characterising processes of surface annealing, initial sintering and growth of hematite particles under in situ conditions of thermal treatment. A good agreement was found between results of ETA, TG, XRD, IR spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, used for characterisation of thermal behaviour of the goethite samples ground for varying time (0–70 h). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization of Alumina Gel Catalysts by Emanation Thermal Analysis (ETA)

Alumina gels made from the metal alkoxide is known to have high catalyst activity for the selective reduction of NO _x by hydrocarbons. It is also reported that the fine structure of the gels effects the activity. In this study, the effect of the preparation method on the fine structure and catalyst activity of the gels was investigated. Monolithic gels were obtained by hydrolysis of Al(sec-C₄H₉O)₃. The wet gels were dried at 90°C (xerogels), supercritically dried (aerogels), or dried after immersion in an ethanol solution of methyltrimethoxysilane (modified xerogels). The changes in the microstructure during heating were discussed using the results of TG-DTA, ETA and N₂ adsorption. The ETA curves show the ²²⁰Rn-release rate, E, of the samples, previously labelled with ²²⁸Th and ²²⁴Ra, during heating. The decrease in E of the xerogel at temperatures higher than 400°C indicates a gradual decrease in the surface area and porosity. A remarkable decrease in the BET surface area of the xerogel was found after heat-treating at 500°C. On the other hand, constant E of the aerogels and modified xerogels above 450°C suggests high thermal stability. The pore radii, estimated by BJH method, and the catalyst activities at 500°C of the aerogels and the modified xerogels were higher than those of the xerogels. The temperature range in which the alumina gels are applicable as catalysts was determined.     

DTA中升温速率及样品热导率对T_g测量值影响的模拟研究

就不同升温速率和实际样品的不同热导率对差热分析 (DTA)中高分子材料的玻璃化转变曲线的影响进行了MonteCarlo模拟研究 ,发现当所有样品刚完成玻璃化转变时 ,在Tg 曲线中该特征点要低于Tg 的转变中点。转变中点所对应的样品温度肯定要高于实际的玻璃化转变温度。如果以玻璃化转变曲线的转变中点所对应的样品温度作为该材料的玻璃化转变温度 ,那么 ,升温速率越快、样品的热导率越小 ,所测得的玻璃化转变温度就越大 ,反之亦然。DTA测得的玻璃化转变温度与升温速率间有很好的线性依赖关系 ,但与样品热导率间的关系是非线性的     

用热分析技术测定碳化硅粉体对聚乙二醇的吸附量

用热分析技术TG-DTA(thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analysis)测定浆料中碳化硅粉体对分散剂聚乙二醇PEG(polyethylene glycol)的吸附量. 结果显示PEG在Ar气氛中411.5 ℃时完全分解; 碳化硅表面分散剂PEG的吸附量随着pH的增大而下降, 在较高pH下大多数分散剂仍存在于溶液中; 分散剂PEG的吸附量通过公式(1)进行计算. 该方法简单方便, 可以应用于测量氧化物或非氧化物吸附紫外-可见分光光度法不能测定的一些有机聚合物分子.     

Examination of Contemporary Lake Sediments by Means of Thermal Analysis: The Dabie lake near Szczecin

An attempt was made to use thermal analysis (DTA, TG, DTG) for identification of the mineralogical composition of contemporary lake sediments. Sediments were investigated both in the natural state and after ignition at 300°C. Selected fractions of the sediments in the natural state were also studied. The thermoanalytical curves of mollusca shells, reed and plankton were also recorded for use in the interpretation of the thermoanalytical curves of sediments.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Investigation of s, p, d-element Niobates and Their Solid Solution Formation Processes by Thermal Analysis

The binary and ternary systems M'O(M'CO₃)-Nb₂O₅ and M'O(M'CO₃)-MO-Nb₂O₅, where M'=Ca,Sr and Ba and M=Cu, Ni, Cd, Zn and Pb, were investigated by means of thermal analysis in the temperature range 20–1500°C. The boundaries of stability of the solid solutions Sr_2−xMe_xNb₂O₇,Sr_2−xM_xNb₂O₇, Sr_4−xM_xNb₂O₉ and Sr_6−xM_xNb₂O₁₁ were determined by means of X-ray diffraction, and IR and Raman spectroscopy. The possibility of prognostication of the phase fields of stable solid solutions by calculation from the diagrams of the ‘comparative electronegativity of atoms vs. tolerance factor’ was demonstrated. The kinetic parameters of the interactions in theSrCO₃+MO+Nb₂O₅ powder mixtures were established. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Surface Analysis Working Group at the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance,Metrology in Chemistry and Biology: A successful initiative by Martin Seah

Dr Martin Seah, NPL, was the initiator, founder, and first chairman of the Surface Analysis Working Group (SAWG) at the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance, Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM) at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), the international organization established by the Metre Convention. This tribute letter summarizes his achievements during his chairmanship and his long-running impact on the successful work of the group after his retirement.