Application of fast differential scanning calorimetry in non-metallic glasses

Abstract

Fast differential scanning calorimetry is an advanced thermal-analysis instrument. It can perform fast heating and fast cooling on matters with the maximum temperature of 1273 K, with scanning rates spanning five orders of magnitude and a maximum of many tens of thousands Kelvin per second. Thus, it is possible to vitrify a wide range of polymers, molecular liquids and alloys in-situ, enabling isothermal and non-isothermal testing for thermodynamic or kinetic investigations. In this work, the most recent results obtained with fast differential scanning calorimetry for non-metallic glasses are reviewed. The physics underlying the functions of the instrument is explained, along with the specializations of sample preparation, data correction, and result interpretation. The paper covers key findings in the field of non-metallic glass research, such as crystallization dynamics, liquid-liquid transition and glass stability. The purpose of this work is to provide beginners with high-quality data by preparing samples on chips and adjusting for thermal lags, and to help experienced scientists to investigate novel perspectives on metallic glasses using the same methodology as non-metallic glasses.