TEMPERATURE-RESOLVED X-RAY-DIFFRACTOMETRY AS A THERMOANALYTICAL METHOD - A POWERFUL TOOL FOR DETERMINING SOLID-STATE REACTION-KINETICS

Development and experimental setup of the time-, and temperature -resolved X-ray powder diffractometry are described. This method allows far deeper insight into solid state reactions than conventional thermoanalytical methods like differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) or thermogravimetry. As an example, the dehydration of caffeine hydrate was investigated. We found that in earlier stages the reaction is nucleation controlled, whereas for higher extent of reaction diffusion limitation becomes rate-controlling.