X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are widely used to measure changes in the physical and chemical states (e.g., phase transition, crystallization, dehydration, decomposition) of solid substances. Rigaku Corporation’s instrument for simultaneous measurements of XRD and DSC (hereafter referred to as the XRD-DSC) is configured with a general purpose X-ray powder diffractometer to which a DSC is attached. As an instrument capable of providing information on thermal and structural changes from a single measurement of samples weighing on the order of a mere several mg to less than 20 mg, it has earned a good reputation in research and development involving pharmaceuticals, complexes, liquid crystals, catalysts, high polymers, and electronic materials. The features of the XRD-DSC and the data obtained using a high-speed one-dimensional X-ray detector were presented last year in this journal. This article introduces the features of an XRD-DSC on which a PILATUS 100K/R high-speed, high-sensitivity two-dimensional detector is mounted, as well as the latest data obtained with this device.
Akira Kishi