2.3.5. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis
Thermal properties of films were determined using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC, Model 200-F3 Maia, Netzsch, Germany). Before analysis, films were conditioned in a desiccator containing dried silica gel for 2 weeks at room temperature (23 – 25 _C) to obtain dehydrated films. Aliquots of approximately 10 mg predried samples were placed into aluminium pans, sealed and scanned over the range of _50 to 150 _C with a heating rate of 10 _C/min. The empty aluminium pan was used as a reference.