Modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry: A novel approach to pharmaceutical thermal analysis

Modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MTDSC) is a novel thermoanalytical technique which involves the application of a sinusoidal heating programme to a sample and the resolution of the response into reversing and non-reversing signals, thereby enabling the deconvolution of complex and overlapping thermal processes. This represents an important advance on conventional differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which involves the use of a linear heating programme, and does not allow the separation of the signal into component responses. In this review, the principles and current uses of conventional DSC will be discussed and compared to those of MTDSC, particularly with a view to emphasising the comparative advantages of the new technique with respect to existing methods. A discussion will be given of how this technique may be applicable to a range of pharmaceutical systems.