Sample Controlled Thermal Analysis

"Sample Controlled Thermal Analysis" (SCTA) defines the branch of thermal analysis in which a feedback from the sample is used to control its heating or cooling. It is therefore the sample itself which determines its own heating and cooling conditions, as the name implies. This approach is a real breakthrough in the field of thermal analysis. It has the advantage, compared with conventional thermal analysis, of eliminating uncertainties due to thermal effects in the sample container, improving resolution, and accurately determining reaction temperatures and accurate kinetic data. SCTA has, since its introduction in the early 1970s, been used in many studies both on inorganic and to a certain extent organic (polymers) compounds with the aim of studying the temperature, type and kinetics of reactions taking place during heating and cooling; in the case of ceramics and adsorbents SCTA has even been used in the synthesis of materials with specific properties. These techniques are now also available in commercial thermal analysis instruments."Sample Controlled Thermal Analysis" gives a short presentation of the spirit and history of SCTA and then focuses on basic SCTA techniques, and applications of SCTA in kinetic studies and applications in the study of ceramics, adsorbents and catalysts. Finally the expected future development of SCTA is discussed.