It is no surprise that objects all over the world, ranging from garments, edibles, medicines and other accessories, are comprised of diverse matter. Selecting an adequate material for a given purpose requires proper knowledge of its physical as well as chemical properties, for which different studies and analysis are being conducted. There are several types of experiments and analysis carried out at different levels for understanding the properties of materials. One such method very popular among these is “calorimetry”, which is done for determining the thermal and thermodynamic properties of a substance.

Recently, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, also abbreviated as DSC, has gained popularity in biochemical and nanomaterial industries as the most used technique of calorimetry. It is a thermal analysis technique used for analysing the heat exchange which occurs in a sample within a regulated increase or decrease of temperature and is primarily used to monitor the phase transitions. Basically, DSC measures heat flow into or out of a sample as a function of temperature or time, while the sample is exposed to a controlled temperature program. It is a very powerful technique to evaluate material properties such as glass transition temperature, melting, crystallization, specific heat capacity, cure process, purity, oxidation behaviour, and thermal stability. As a biochemical reaction, it is mostly used for determining molecular conformation transitions between molecules. This technique is also utilized for determining phase transition temperatures of liquids and solids, as well as suspensions of chemical compounds.

In one of their studies, Intertek laboratory scientists conducted DSC for determination of endotherms, exotherms and weight loss on heating or cooling. In this method, we take two samples (one is reference substance, generally a solvent like water and the second sample is the same substance dissolved in the same solvent) and place them in two separate chambers, while maintaining the temperature of both samples. Enthalpy change in both the chambers due to the solvents will be the same as they are the same in quantity. Hence, any difference in enthalpy can be attributed to the presence of a substance of interest. They concluded that the resulted information can be used to determine best processing temperatures, obtaining thermal fingerprints of the materials and comparing thermal properties of the materials with different performance. Moreover, Modulated DSC which utilizes a temperature modulation technique can be used to determine weak transitions and separate overlapping thermal events.

DSC analysis provides test data for a wide range of materials, starting from polymers, plastics, composites, laminates, adhesives, food, coatings, pharmaceuticals, organic materials, rubber, petroleum, chemicals, explosives to biological samples. It is advantageous than other similar methods in this sector for a variety of reasons, including the low sample requirement for testing, low cost, ease and speed with which it can be used to see changes in materials and its high accuracy. As a result, it is the leading choice for analysing biomolecules, polymers, and nanomaterials in industries and characterization laboratories, as well as the determination of glass transition temperatures and the study of chemical reactions, melting and crystallization of polyethylene waxes.

However, precision comes with a high level of sensitivity, which can cause large differences in values with tiny changes in conditions. Hence this method needs to be carried out meticulously. Standard procedures are yet to be developed in order to avoid these errors and uncertainty in measurements. While there is a drawback to DSC, it seems to have a promising future. Manufacturers in the DSC market are focused on research and development of advanced thermal analysers used by industries and laboratories. Several alternative methods to DSC have also been developed for specific applications, but DSC is likely to remain useful in the future because of its many benefits. If we can work on its disadvantages and try to overcome them, maybe in the upcoming time, DSC can emerge as the prime choice for calorimetry.