The heat capacities and fusion thermochemistry of sugar alcohols between 298.15 K and T<inf>m</inf>: The study of D-sorbitol, D-mannitol and myo-inositol

Abstract

Fusion enthalpy and its temperature dependence are important characteristics of phase change materials efficiency. These parameters of three sugar alcohols: D-sorbitol, D-mannitol and myo-inositol – were investigated in the temperature range between 298.15 K and Tm by combination DSC, fast scanning calorimetry and solution calorimetry. Fast scanning calorimetry and DSC were applied to determine the heat capacities of crystal and supercooled liquid states. Using Kirchhoff's law of Thermochemistry, the fusion enthalpies at 298.15 K were derived from the data at Tm and the heat capacities. On the other hand, a quick and reliable way to estimate the fusion enthalpies of sugar alcohols at 298.15 K using solution calorimetry data was proposed. Results of implementation of the two independent approaches agreed within the limits of experimental error.