D-optimal design of DSC experiments for nth order kinetics

D-optimal experimental designs are developed for differential scanning calorimetry experiments conducted under non-isothermal, constant heating modes under the assumption that the kinetics can be described by an nth order model. Two separate cases are considered: single-scan experiments in which the entire rate of reaction versus temperature curve is available, albeit only at selected points, and multiple-scan experiments in which only the temperature at the maximum in the DSC curve is available but it is known at several heating rates. For the single-scan experiment, the D-optimal heating rate and critical extents of reaction where the data should be analyzed are determined. For the multiple-scan experiment the three D-optimal heating rates are determined. For both cases, a hypothetical example is given which illustrates the success and limitations of this approach.