The Phase Behavior of Complex Organic Systems Measured by a Novel Ultra Sensitive Heat Flux DSC

摘要

Complex organic systems such as highly diluted protein solutions exhibit weak thermal processes (glass transitions, denaturation etc.) with small heat releases. Up to now such processes could hardly be measured by conventional DSC instruments because of its limited sensitivity. The new HSS7 sensor of METTLER TOLEDO exhibits a sensitivity which is improved by almost one order of magnitude as compared to currently available DSCinstruments. Using this sensor weak transitions in the sub microwatt range can be measured. We show measurements on protein and other organic solutions and discuss the respective thermal processes.