Phase-transition studies in n-alkanes and petroleum-related waxes—A review

• Published in: Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids Vol. 54; no. 6; pp. 639 - 670
• Main Authors: Srivastava, S.P., Handoo, Jyoti, Agrawal, K.M., Joshi, G.C.
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.1993; Elsevier
• Subjects: Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; crystalline structure; Equations of state, phase equilibria, and phase transitions; Exact sciences and technology; microcrystalline waxes; Paraffin waxes; phase transition; Physics; solubility; Specific phase transitions; microcrystalline waxes; solubility; phase transition; Paraffin waxes; crystalline structure; Phase transformation; Temperature; Phase diagram; Alkane; Infrared absorption; Review; Pressure; Paraffin wax; Wax
• ISSN: 0022-3697; 1879-2553
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-3697(93)90126-C

A review is presented concerning the application of various analytical methods, viz. differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dilatometry, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy for the investigation of solid-solid phase transition phenomenon in pure n-alkanes, their binary mixtures and petroleum (both paraffinic and microcrystalline) and related waxes. Particular attention has been paid to the phase transition mechanisms that can be revealed by different methods involving changes in complex molecular motions with temperature in petroleum waxes with emphasis on the similarities and deviations from n-alkanes. Pressure-induced phase-transitions are also discussed. Some of the possible future applications of this study have been outlined.