Liquid-liquid transition kinetics in D-mannitol.

The kinetics of the first order liquid-liquid transition (LLT) in a single-component liquid D-mannitol have been examined in detail by the high rate of flash differential scanning calorimetry measurements. By controlling the annealing temperature, the phase X formation from the supercooled liquid is distinguished by either a nucleation-growth or a spinodal-decomposition type of LLT. In the measured time-temperature-transformation curve the portion covering the nucleation-growth type of LLT can be well fitted with a classical nucleation theory analysis.