Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is a thermal analysis technique that measures the variation of the mass of a sample subjected to temperature variations in a controlled environment in terms of pressure, atmosphere and temperature, over a precise period of time. It also enables the characterization of materials in the nuclear and battery fields.
The Need for Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) allows us to observe the different effects of evaporation, desorption, oxidation, sublimation, absorption, decomposition, etc. of compounds. It can be used for various applications: energy, nuclear, materials. The ATG also qualifies thermal stability, to determine the exact temperatures at which chemical reactions take place.
A high precision balance is used to perform the thermal analysis. A sample of a few milligrams is placed on the measuring rod. The rod is inserted into an oven where a sweep gas (argon, air, nitrogen, oxygen, etc.) is circulated.
Curves and raw data are provided for each ATG measurement. Mass losses are expressed as a percentage. When possible, an in-depth analysis can also be performed, which allows the results to be interpreted.
Energy conversion, aeronautics, microelectronics, lithium batteries and new technologies use advanced composites and materials. These materials must be characterized during their development, which goes through various stages. In this way, it is possible to verify the new functionalities of these advanced materials which are: composites, functional materials, nanomaterials, biomaterials, hybrid and carbon materials, etc.
The physico-chemical properties of these materials must be analyzed in an oxygen-free, humidity-free and controlled atmosphere. The use of a device, thus providing a working environment conducive to its realization, is therefore essential to perform the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Who Should be Entrusted with the Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)?
Jacomex designs and manufactures glove boxes and insulators. The company integrates surface analysis and characterization instrumentation in R&D and in laboratories. The design of the glove box takes into account the stability of the atmosphere (temperature, purity…) and the size, with a class 1 tightness.
Using an interfaced glove box, supplied by Jacomex and equipped with an ATG thermogravimetric balance, you can prepare samples and transfer them directly into the analysis chamber without exposing them to air. This glove box is often coupled with a DSC differential scanning calorimetry.
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) can be coupled with other analytical techniques:
- Coupling TGA with another DSC measurement can determine whether exothermic, athermic, or endothermic phenomena caused the mass losses.
- A Wetsys system, a moisture generator for the sweep gas, can also be coupled to the TGA.
- The coupling of the TGA to a gas chromatograph and/or mass spectrometer. During the experiment, compounds can be entrained in the carrier gas and this coupling allows them to be identified.
