Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry

06/10/2026

♻️🔥 Turning sewage sludge ash into ceramic tiles

A recent study in JTAC explores sewage sludge ash as an alternative raw material for clinker-type ceramic tiles. It was found that adding 2-8 m/m% sewage sludge ash (SSA) promoted densification at lower firing temperatures and increased flexural strength, reaching 74.2 MPa at 8 m/m% addition. Higher additions and excessive firing caused swelling and reduced physical performance, highlighting the need for careful control of SSA content and firing conditions. ⚠️

🔗 Check out the full Open Access study for more details on the JTAC webpage:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-026-16410-6

The feasibility of using sewage sludge ash (SSA) as an alternative raw material in ceramic clinker tiles was investigated at additions of 2–10 mass%. The effects of SSA on thermal behavior, sintering, phase composition and technological properties were evaluated using DSC–TG coupled with quadrup...

23/09/2026

🔥🏗️ Balancing sustainability and fire resistance in cement

A fresh study in JTAC examines how supplementary cementitious materials influence both the environmental footprint and post-fire performance of hardened cement paste. Reducing clinker content can lower CO₂ emissions, but it may also affect residual mechanical strength after calcination. Samples with reduced supplementary material content showed significant strength losses after heating to 500 and 800 °C. The findings highlight the need to carefully optimize cement composition to balance environmental impact and fire resistance.

🔗 Check out the full study for more details on the JTAC webpage:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-026-16299-1

This study highlights the intrinsic linkage between sustainability and fire resistance in hardened cement paste design by demonstrating that reductions in clinker content through the use of supplementary cementitious materials simultaneously influence environmental performance and post-fire mechanic...

19/09/2026

🧪⚡ Engineering clay-supported nanocatalysts

A recent study in JTAC demonstrates how targeted modification of a naturally abundant clay mineral can alter the support environment and enhance the catalytic behaviour of Pt nanocatalysts in n-heptane conversion. Successful DMSO intercalation enhanced the catalytic performance of Pt/kaolinite, suggesting that modification of the Pt–support environment and accessibility of active sites plays an important role. The improved performance of DMSO-modified kaolinite highlights the broader potential of support engineering to tune active-site accessibility and catalyst performance. The results might offer insights relevant to the development of more effective and adaptable heterogeneous catalysts. 🌍🔬

🔗 Check out the full study for more details on the JTAC webpage:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-026-16318-1

In recent years, kaolinite-supported nanoscale catalytic systems have gained widespread use due to their high efficiency and selectivity. SiO2, kaolinite, and DMSO-modified kaolinite were prepared by impregnation and evaluated in the catalytic conversion of n-heptane. The structural and textural pro...

10/09/2026

🔥🌿 Thermal behaviour of jute fiber for fire-resistant concrete

A new study in JTAC study investigates the pyrolysis behavior of jute fiber using non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis and multiple isoconversional kinetic methods. The results indicate average activation energy of 134.4 kJ mol⁻¹ and a dominant decomposition stage. The identified kinetic model and thermodynamic parameters provide valuable data for understanding jute fiber thermal stability and supporting its use in mitigating explosive spalling in high-temperature concrete applications. 🔬

🔗 Check out the full study for more details on the JTAC webpage:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-026-16215-7

Given the low-cost and abundant availability of biomass fibers, they hold great application potential especially in architectural concrete. To exploit this potential in mitigating explosive spalling of concrete under high temperatures, a thorough understanding of their thermal stability and decompos...

03/09/2026

📢📝 Call for Papers: Special Issue on Calorimetry and Thermal Characterization of Inorganic, Hybrid, and Nanostructured Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications (before 10 October 2026)

This JTAC Special Issue invites innovative research applying calorimetry and advanced thermal analysis of next-generation materials of energy storage, hydrogen technologies, catalysis, CO₂ conversion, pollutant remediation, photocatalysis, and high-temperature materials. Particular interest is given to studies combining thermal analysis with spectroscopy, microscopy, computational modelling, operando techniques, and AI to investigate phase transitions, reaction kinetics, thermal stability, adsorption, and degradation mechanisms. 🤖🧪
Topics include AI-assisted thermal modelling, nano- and micro-calorimetry, thermal runaway in advanced batteries, thermal transport in nanoarchitectures, and calorimetric studies of adsorption, catalysis, and electrochemical systems. Contributions addressing the development of reliable thermal characterization strategies for sustainable, high-performance, and environmentally resilient materials are especially encouraged. 🌍

📅 Submission deadline: 10 October 2026

🔗 More information: https://link.springer.com/collections/feejhbecia

📢 Submit your latest research and contribute to advancing calorimetry and thermal analysis for next-generation energy and environmental technologies!

29/08/2026

☢️🌍 International Day against Nuclear Tests: advancing materials for a safer nuclear future

Observed on 29 August, the International Day against Nuclear Tests highlights the importance of preventing nuclear testing and raising awareness of its harmful effects. 🔬 In this context, development of novel, radiation-resistant materials is essential for the safe management of radioactive materials and nuclear waste.

In a JTAC article, magnesium potassium phosphate (MKP) cement is investigated as a potential alternative to Portland cement for nuclear waste encapsulation, with particular focus on its structural and thermal stability under extreme conditions. 🔥 The study shows that heat treatment strongly influences radiation resistance: the 1000 °C-treated KMgPO₄ phase demonstrated high structural stability, minimal mass loss, and negligible gas evolution after exposure to a 10 MeV electron beam at 20 MGy. ☢️ These findings provide important insights into the suitability of MKP-based materials for demanding applications in the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle.

🔗 Check out the full study for more details on the JTAC webpage:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-025-15234-0

Magnesium potassium phosphate (MKP) cement has emerged as a potential eco-friendly alternative to Portland cement for nuclear waste encapsulation. Its superior resistance to sulfate attack, low permeability and mechanical strength makes it a promising material. This study investigates the thermal an...

19/08/2026

♻️🔥 Turning waste into fuel: a circular pathway for cleaner energy

A recent study in JTAC integrates anaerobic digestion and catalytic pyrolysis to convert food waste and medical LLDPE plastic waste into biogas and diesel-like liquid fuel. Products, such as biogas, could be used as renewable heat source and lignite fly ash as a low-cost catalyst. 🚗 The resulting fuel achieved a calorific value of 44.3 MJ kg⁻¹ and delivered slightly higher brake thermal efficiency than diesel, while reducing smoke and hydrocarbon emissions. The results highlight a promising integrated strategy for waste valorization and circular energy production.

🔗 Check out the full study for more details on the JTAC webpage:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-026-16071-5

This study presents an integrated waste-to-energy approach combining anaerobic digestion of food waste for biogas production with catalytic pyrolysis of medical waste plastic covers (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene, LLDPE) using lignite fly ash as a low-cost catalyst. The produced biogas was employe...

12/08/2026

♻️🧪 Turning polymer recycling products into valuable plasticizers

A new study in JTAC demonstrates that a cyclic dimer obtained from the chemical recycling of poly(ε-caprolactone) can effectively plasticize poly(vinyl chloride). 🔬 Using this novel plasticizer reduced PVC glass transition temperature from 89 °C to −3 °C at 37% additive content. 🌱 The findings highlight a promising approach for converting polymer recycling products into value-added materials while supporting more circular strategies for plastics processing.

🔗 Check out the full study for more details on the JTAC webpage:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-026-16055-5

The presented work is in line with modern trends in the application of chemical recycling products of polymers in the further processing and modification of plastics. The aim of the study was to test the possibility of using one of the products of chemical recycling of poly(ε-caprolactone), i.e., c...

07/08/2026

💧🚗 Hydrogen blending for lower-emission internal combustion engines

A novel review paper in JTAC examines the potential of hydrogen blending with diesel, gasoline, biodiesel, CNG, and tri-fuel systems for automotive internal combustion engines by a comprehensive review of 95 peer-reviewed studies. 🔬 Incorporating 10–40% H₂ into the fuel energy mix can improve engine efficiency by 3–10% and substantially reduce CO, HC, and smoke emissions. However, NOₓ formation is increased, due to higher combustion temperatures. The review highlights effective NOₓ mitigation strategies, advances in AI-based engine modeling, and the need for further transient and long-term durability studies to assess the practical potential of hydrogen-fueled engine technologies.

🔗 Check out the full study for more details on the JTAC webpage:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-026-16006-0

There is a growing need for the reducing carbon emissions from road transport, coupled with stricter emission standards. This has increased the pace of research to identify viable alternative fuels for ICEs. In order to reduce carbon emissions, the combination of H2 with fossil fuels and biofuels ha...