Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a thermoanalytical technique that we use for several purposes. It is a good tool for studying phase transitions, purity (through freeze point depressions) and phase transition changes due to for example when there is an interaction between two compounds.
We’ve used it to detect interaction between drug molecules and cell membrane lipids, to study changes in melting of lotions and waxes and much more.
We often combine it with methods that provide data on crystallinity and structure such as XRPD, SAXS/WAXS or solid sate NMR which could probe small variations in mobility and fluidity of materials.
The method can be used to study sensitivity to temperature changes and thereby also elucidate sensitivity to protocols in general. This image shows two different materials that after a first heating are more similar, thus the history of the samples is erased. This sensitivity is important to be aware of.
