A method to determine the non-isothermal kinetic parameters and select the most probable mechanism function using a single non-isothermal DSC curve

Abstract

A method is established that uses only two characteristic points of a single non-isothermal DSC curve, (d/d T)(dα/d t) = 0 and (d 2/d T 2)(dα/d t) = 0, from the classic isothermal kinetic equation dα/d t = Af(α)e − E/RT . Using this method, it is very easy to estimate the non-isothermal kinetic parameters of activation energy E and pre-exponential factor A and to select the most probable mechanism function from those commonly used; this may increase our understanding of the experimental phenomena. Two indexes of peak shape are defined for judging whether the peak is treatable or not. A typical calculation is given. The computed results for E and A coincide very well with those derived by commonly used methods; the selected mechanism function is also reasonable.