Chip-DSC 100 – Xerogel nanoparticles
Alumina nanoparticles – humidity – melting – nanofluids
A gel is characterized as a semi-solid substance, often comprising both liquid and solid components. It can be described as a dilute, cross-linked system that maintains its structural integrity without flowing when in a steady state, although it primarily consists of liquid. The cross-linking within the liquid component imparts a macroscopic “solid” quality to the gel. Gels manifest in various types and forms, commonly finding application in pharmaceuticals and as adhesives. A specialized variation of gels is known as xerogels, where the swelling agents are typically removed. Examples of xerogels include dried silica gel or gelatin. DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) is a common method for characterizing gels, often used in quality control procedures.
The DSC curve represents a linear heating process of Alumina Nano Particles within a Gel Matrix, where the sample is heated at a constant rate of 10K/min in a nitrogen atmosphere. Throughout the run, two notable effects are observed, warranting closer examination:
- A significant loss of water occurs in the temperature range up to 120°C, resulting in a baseline shift due to changes in specific heat capacity (Cp) caused by the altering mass of the sample. As a consequence of this phenomenon, a dry gel matrix containing the nanoparticles remains, commonly referred to as a xerogel.
- At approximately 200°C, a distinctive phase transition of the nanoparticles is observed, as they shift from an ordered to an amorphous Alumina structure. This transition is evident as a small, sharp peak in the DSC signal. Both of these effects are consistent and offer valuable insights into the characteristics of the nanoparticle gel.
Related instruments
Chip-DSC 100
- Unique Chip Technology – The next step in DSC
- Modular expandable design (Sample Robot, Cooling options etc.)
- Temperature range -180 up to 600°C (Peltier cooling, Closed-loop Intracooler or LN2 cooling)