Acquisition of a Thermal Analysis System for Materials Characterization

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This award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program will enable the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oregon to acquire a computer-controlled thermal analysis system. The system includes modulated differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis coupled to a mass spectrometer and a central computer controller with data analysis software. The instrument will be used in a wide range of research areas involving polymeric materials and solid state structures including: formation of carbon-rich polymers, transformations in photodegradable polymers, evolution of sol-gel precursors to crystalline solids, production of nanocrystals and of `unnatural` crystal morphologies, and reactions in the solid state to produce kinetic-controlled products. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a thermal analysis technique which measures the temperatures and heat flows associated with transitions in organic, inorganic and polymeric materials as a function of time and temperature. The data obtained provide qualitative and quantitative information on physiochemical changes that involve exothermic or endothermic processes, or changes in heat capacity.