Chapter 10
DSC Analysis of Thermophysical Properties for Biomaterials
and Formulations
Wendell Q. Sun
Abstract
The development of freezing and freeze-drying processes for biological samples requires knowledge of the
thermophysical properties of the biomaterial and protectant solutions involved. This chapter provides an
introduction on the use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to study thermophysical properties of
biomaterials in protective solutions. It covers specific methods to study thermal events related to freezing
and drying processes including crystallization, eutectic formation, glass transition, devitrification, recrystallization, melting, molecular relaxation, and phase separation.
Key words Cryopreservation, Crystallization, Eutectic formation, Devitrification, Recrystallization,
Freeze concentration, Freeze-drying, Glass transition, Phase separation, Tissue matrix, Vitrification
1 Introduction
Thermophysical properties of biomaterials and solutions are critically important for the development of protectant formulations and
rational design of process protocols. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a technique that can be used to measure the thermophysical properties for biomaterials and solutions in
cryopreservation and freeze drying. Thermal events that may
occur to biomaterials and solutions during freezing and thawing
include water crystallization (ice formation), eutectic formation,
glass transition, devitrification, recrystallization, melting, polymorphism, molecular mobility and relaxation, and phase separation as
well as others. This chapter starts with an introduction to the
instrument, operation, and interpretation of thermograms, followed by methods and examples of specific applications.
1.1 Calorimetrical
Measurement
When a sample of a biological material or a solution is cooled or
heated to a given temperature, it may crystallize, melt, relax, solidify, change in the state, adsorb, desorb, decompose, and/or react.
The associated changes in enthalpy result in various thermal effects.
Willem F. Wolkers and Harrie ¨ tte Oldenhof (eds.), Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols, Methods in Molecular Biology,
vol. 2180, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0783-1_10, © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
285
DSC Analysis of Thermophysical Properties for Biomaterials
and Formulations
Wendell Q. Sun
Abstract
The development of freezing and freeze-drying processes for biological samples requires knowledge of the
thermophysical properties of the biomaterial and protectant solutions involved. This chapter provides an
introduction on the use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to study thermophysical properties of
biomaterials in protective solutions. It covers specific methods to study thermal events related to freezing
and drying processes including crystallization, eutectic formation, glass transition, devitrification, recrystallization, melting, molecular relaxation, and phase separation.
Key words Cryopreservation, Crystallization, Eutectic formation, Devitrification, Recrystallization,
Freeze concentration, Freeze-drying, Glass transition, Phase separation, Tissue matrix, Vitrification
1 Introduction
Thermophysical properties of biomaterials and solutions are critically important for the development of protectant formulations and
rational design of process protocols. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a technique that can be used to measure the thermophysical properties for biomaterials and solutions in
cryopreservation and freeze drying. Thermal events that may
occur to biomaterials and solutions during freezing and thawing
include water crystallization (ice formation), eutectic formation,
glass transition, devitrification, recrystallization, melting, polymorphism, molecular mobility and relaxation, and phase separation as
well as others. This chapter starts with an introduction to the
instrument, operation, and interpretation of thermograms, followed by methods and examples of specific applications.
1.1 Calorimetrical
Measurement
When a sample of a biological material or a solution is cooled or
heated to a given temperature, it may crystallize, melt, relax, solidify, change in the state, adsorb, desorb, decompose, and/or react.
The associated changes in enthalpy result in various thermal effects.
Willem F. Wolkers and Harrie ¨ tte Oldenhof (eds.), Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols, Methods in Molecular Biology,
vol. 2180, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0783-1_10, © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
285