3.10. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

The thermal stability of synthesized Ag nanoparticles was evaluated by performing TGA and DSC characterization by Hitachi thermal analysis system (Hitachi, Austin, TX, USA). TGA was used to study the weight loss of surface-coated SNPs. A standard differential scanning calorimeter investigated the thermal behavior of PrSNPs. PrSNPs obtained after lyophilization was employed for TGA and DSC analysis. We washed the alumina crucible with acetone and tied to another crucible (reference), keeping them close while avoiding the direct contact. 9.3 mg of PrSNPs was placed in the crucible, heating from 40–900 °C at the rate of 10 °C min⁻¹, and a constant nitrogen flow rate of 40 mL/min was maintained. The nitrogen level was periodically checked during analysis.