Abstract
Thermal analysis by using variable-temperature diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (VT-DRIFTS) is described. Techniques for extracting spectral information from VT-DRIFTS data regarding temperature-dependent solid-state structure changes are discussed. The use of VT-DRIFTS for investigating the thermal degradation mechanisms of calcium oxalate monohydrate and poly(vinyl alcohol) and for profiling the Lewis and Brønsted acid strength distributions for an HZSM-5 zeolite by monitoring pyridine desorption as a function of temperature is described.