DETERMINATION OF THERMODYNAMIC FUNCTIONS FROM SCANNING CALORIMETRY DATA

We present a theoretical basis and new methods for the determination of thermodynamic functions from scanning calorimetry data. A thermodynamic state is defined here as an ensemble of microstates in the system, and it can be defined only through assumptions of its heat capacity function and the two integral constants. With these assumptions, scanning calorimetry data can be analyzed using the single or double (or multi-) deconvolution presented here. New equations to calculate the van''t Hoff enthalpy function and the calorimetric enthalpy function are presented. We prove that the agreement of these two functions is a necessary and sufficient factor for the condition that the system can be described with the assumed two-state model.