The formation of supported bimetallic catalysts I. The measurement of enthalpies of gas-solid reactions using differential scanning calorimetry

Abstract Thermal analysis techniques suffer from the lack of reproducibility and are difficult to quantify. This study addresses the significant variables responsible for these drawbacks and explores the possibility of the precise determination of the enthalpy of a desired reaction using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A method in which the significant experimental variables are extrapolated is proposed for two types of gas-solid reactions of interest to catalysis. The reduction of PtO 2 and PtCl 2 , in addition to the decomposition of calcium oxalate, is reported. The method successfully yields enthalpies of reaction which are in agreement with enthalpies calculated from heats of formation reported in the literature.