2025/09/22 by Hugo Gómez-Torres, Gómez-Torres, Hugo, M. Molina-Ruiz +15
Chemistry · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Chemical Thermodynamics and Molecular Structure #FOS: Physical sciences #Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) #Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) #nanoparticles nucleation surface interactions #thermodynamics and calorimetric analyses
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2509.18019
openalex publication_date 2025/09/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/16 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We introduce a nanocalorimetric technique based on microsecond-pulsed heating (μs-PHnC) that enables high-sensitivity, quasi-isothermal heat capacity measurements on nanoscale samples. Such resolution is critical for exploring thermodynamic signatures in low-dimensional materials, where conventional techniques fall short. By confining thermal excitation to microsecond timescales, this approach minimizes lateral heat diffusion, reduces heat capacity addenda to below 10-9 J K-1, and achieves noise densities as low as 75 pJ K-1 Hz-1/2 mm-2, unlocking precise thermodynamic characterization of subnanogram samples in areas as small as 30 x 30 μm2. The method delivers exceptional temperature homogeneity, as demonstrated by resolving sharp phase transitions, such as the antiferromagnetic transition in ultrathin CoO films, with unprecedented clarity. Its quasi-static operation is inherently compatible with external stimuli, including magnetic and electric fields, thereby expanding its utility for in-operando thermodynamic studies. This advancement establishes a robust and scalable platform for probing thermal phenomena in nanostructured and low-dimensional materials, significantly broadening the scope of nanocalorimetry.