Principles of quartz crystal microbalance/heat conduction calorimetry: Measurement of the sorption enthalpy of hydrogen in palladium

A sensitive new measurement technology is described which combines calorimetry, gravimetry, and rheology applied to chemical reactions in thin films: quartz crystal microbalance/heat conduction calorimetry (QCM/HCC). The quartz crystal microbalance/heat conduction calorimeters constructed so far simultaneously measure heat generation, mass uptake or release, and viscoelastic property changes in the same, sub-milligram solid film sample when gases interact with the film in an isothermal surrounding. It is possible to measure the energetics of formation of a single layer of adsorbed molecules on a gold surface with this technique. The principles of operation of both the mass and the heat flow sensor are described, and one implementation of the combined sensor and apparatus and its electronics is presented. Methods for calibration and the preparation of thin sample films are summarized. As an illustrative example, the determination of the sorption enthalpy of hydrogen in a 25 °C palladium film of 140 nm thickness is discussed in detail. Other examples of the operation of the QCM/HCC are tabulated.     

Determining the effects of vapor sorption in polymers with the quartz crystal microbalance/heat conduction calorimeter

The quartz crystal microbalance/heat conduction calorimeter (QCM/HCC) is a versatile instrument coupling both gravimetric and calorimetric techniques. The QCM/HCC is used to probe vapor sorption in thin films. Three parameters are measured simultaneously as a thin film undergoes vapor sorption, namely: mass changes in the film (±10 ng), corresponding thermal effects upon vapor sorption (±100 nW), and motional resistance (±0.5Ω) changes within the film. A range of film thicknesses (0.75 to 8.5 μm) of the polymer, Tecoflex? are cast on QCMs and the interaction of each film with ethanol and water is determined. From the direct calorimetric measurements, sorption enthalpies (Δ_sorptionH kJ/mol) are determined for the film–vapor interactions. Sorption isotherms are then analyzed for each film. The isotherms shown here generally display a linear Henry's Law dissolution relationship between the vapor pressure and the amount of vapor sorbed into the film. Motional resistance data provides a window to view viscoelastic effects of the polymer films upon vapor sorption. Motional resistance data are compared for ethanol sorption in a relatively thin (0.75 μm) and thicker (8.5 μm) Tecoflex? film. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3893–3906, 2004     

The effect of heat treatment on water sorption in polylactide and polylactide composites via changes in glass‐transition temperature and crystallization kinetics

Water sorption into polylactide (PLA) and polylactide‐montmorillonite (PLLA‐MONT) composites containing 5 wt % of montmorillonite (MONT) under different heat treatment conditions was studied using the quartz crystal microbalance/heat conduction calorimetry (QCM/HCC) technique. Results showed that water sorption in neat polymer films and composite films increased with heat treatment temperature up to 120 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to measure the glass‐transition temperature and isothermal crystallization kinetics of all samples. The mobility of the amorphous domain in all samples increased with heat treatment temperature, indicated by the decrease in glass‐transition temperature. PLA composites crystallized at a much faster rate than neat PLA did because MONT acted as a nucleating agent. Under the same heat treatment condition, water sorption in PLLA‐MONT composites was always higher than that in neat PLA due to the presence of the hydrophilic hydroxyl groups on the surface of MONT particles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

Bimodal swelling responses in microgel thin films

A series of studies on microgel thin films is described, wherein quartz crystal microgravimetry (QCM), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to probe the properties of microstructured polymer thin films as a function of film architecture and solution pH. Thin films composed of pNIPAm-co-AAc microgels were constructed by using spin-coating layer-by-layer (scLbL) assembly with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) as a polycationic "glue". Our findings suggest that the interaction between the negatively charged microgels and the positively charged PAH has a significant impact on the pH responsivity of the film. These effects are observable in both the optical and mechanical behaviors of the films. The most significant changes in behavior are observed when the motional resistance of a quartz oscillator is monitored via QCM experiments. Slight changes to the film architecture and alternating the pH of the environment significantly changes the QCM and SPR responses, suggesting a pH-dependent swelling that is dependent on both particle swelling and polyelectrolyte de-complexation. Together, these studies allow for a deeper understanding of the morphological changes that take place in environmentally responsive microgel-based thin films.     

Temperature‐Induced Swelling and De‐swelling of Thin Poly(N‐Isopropylacrylamide) Gels in Water: Combined Acoustic and Optical Measurements

The temperature‐induced swelling and deswelling of thin layers of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) gels in water was measured as a function of cross‐link density and thickness. The collapse behavior was probed via an in situ combination of a quartz‐crystal microbalance (QCM) and a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrometer. The shifts in the SPR coupling angle are explained in terms of decrease of the refractive index inside the film. The evanescent optical wave mostly probes the film's interior properties. The acoustic shear wave emanating from the quartz resonator, on the other hand, propagates to the outer surface of the film, unless the film is very dilute. The acoustic data are dominated by the changes in thickness, rather than in its viscosity. The combination of acoustic and optical measurements, therefore, provides complementary information on the film that can be exploited for sensing applications.     

石英晶体微天平传感器及其在生物检测中应用的研究进展

石英晶体微天平(Quartz crystal microbalance,QCM)是一种具有灵敏度高、免标记、可实时在线检测等优点的重要分析工具。在生物检测领域,QCM与多种信号放大方法相结合,广泛应用于对生物分子的高灵敏检测。新型耗散型QCM(QCM-D)通过对薄膜厚度、粘弹性等的研究,主要用于考察生物分子的吸附分离、构型变化等微观过程。本文主要阐述了QCM及QCM-D生物传感器的构建及其在DNA、蛋白质、细胞和微生物检测中的研究进展。     

GaPO4 high temperature crystal microbalance demonstration up to 720°C

Quartz-homeotypic gallium (ortho-) phosphate, GaPO₄, is of special interest for resonator applications asking for temperature compensated cuts with higher electro-mechanical coupling than quartz and operational temperatures up to 970°C. The crystal microbalance technique, well known for quartz (QCM) which can be used only at moderate temperatures, can now be extended to much higher temperatures using GaPO₄ crystals, benefiting from all three advantages mentioned above. Two different experiments were done to demonstrate the advantages of a crystal microbalance based on GaPO₄. First, the GaPO₄ resonator was used for film thickness determination and compared with a commercial QCM. This experiment demonstrated that the measuring range can be extended by using GaPO₄ resonators instead of quartz. The second experiment demonstrates the possibility for thermogravimetric analysis up to 720°C by using a new concept for resonator mounting.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Action mechanism of water soluble ethanol on phospholipid monolayers using a quartz crystal oscillator

Interaction between phospholipid monolayers (dihexadecyl phosphate: DHP, dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline: DPPC) and water soluble ethanol has been studied using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) method and quartz crystal impedance (QCI) method. The quartz crystal oscillator was attached horizontally on the DHP and DPPC monolayers that were formed on the water surface. At low concentration, increased ethanol concentration decreased the frequency for QCM and increased the resistance for QCI. Both frequency and resistance approached asymptotically to a saturation value. A further increase in ethanol concentration induced a sudden and discontinuous linear change (a decrease in frequency and an increase in resistance). Based on these results, we propose the following action mechanism of ethanol on phospholipid monolayers: at low concentration, the ethanol hydrates adsorb into the monolayer/water interface and saturate on the interface. The monolayer viscosity also increases with the adsorption of hydrates. A further increase in concentration causes multilayer formation of hydrates and/or penetration of hydrates into the monolayer core. The viscosity of the interfacial layer (monolayer and interfacial structured water) changes dramatically according to the action of ethanol hydrates.     

QCM studies of gel spreading: Kraton gels on polystyrene surfaces

Contact of a polymer gel made from a styrene/ethylene-butene/styrene triblock copolymer in mineral oil was investigated by bringing the gel into contact with the coated surface of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The experimental apparatus enabled simultaneous measurement of the load, displacement, and contact area, in addition to the resonant frequency and dissipation of the oscillating quartz crystal. The QCM response was determined by the linear viscoelastic properties of the gel at the frequency of oscillation. A geometric correction factor involving the contact area provided a means for quantitatively determining these viscoelastic parameters as the gel spread over the QCM surface. When the gel was removed from the surface, a thin solvent layer was left behind. The thickness of this solvent layer was determined from the QCM response and was compared to predictions from a simple model involving the disjoining pressure of the film and the osmotic pressure of the gel. Qualitative agreement with the model required that tensile, adhesive forces at the perimeter of the gel/QCM contact area were taken into account when calculating the film thickness.     

耗散型石英晶体微天平在生物医用高分子材料中的应用

石英晶体微天平(QCM)是一种基于石英晶体压电效应的分析检测技术,可实时在线提供石英晶体表面吸附层质量、厚度、粘弹性等信息,由此获得表面分子相互作用关系。 耗散型石英晶体微天平(QCM-D)因其独特的对粘弹性的解析,使其在高分子材料中的应用迅速发展,尤其是生物医用高分子材料领域,已用来评价生物医用高分子材料的表界面相互作用,力学和生物相容性等。 本文简单介绍了耗散型石英晶体微天平的基本原理及理论模型,重点综述了近几年QCM-D在高分子链构象、蛋白质吸附、生物大分子相互作用、药物释放以及水凝胶中的应用,并且展望了QCM-D的未来发展趋势。     

石英晶体微天平的新进展

石英晶体微天平（quartz crystal microbalance,QCM）是一种对界面变化敏感的仪器,它已经在物理、化学、生物学、药物学、临床医学、环境科学等学科的界面问题研究中得到了一定的应用.然而,QCM在液相下的应用和推广一直受限于QCM数据定量解释的困难.为此,科研工作者发展了多种高级的QCM,比如带阻抗分析功能的QCM（impedance QCM,i-QCM）或带能量耗散监测功能的QCM（QCM with dissipation,QCM-D）,同时还发展了许多相应的理论模型.但是,对于多数生物、化学工作者来说,这些理论过于复杂.这极大地限制了QCM的推广和潜力发挥.本文以我们小组在QCM方面的研究工作为线索,对已报道的分析方法、模型和方程按5类应用条件进行了整理,给出了明确的界定标准：它们是：1,固-气界面;2,牛顿流体;3,固-液界面的薄膜;4,固-液界面厚膜;5,固-液界面超厚膜.对于每一类情况,我们将用通俗易懂的语言描述如何对QCM数据进行简化却又保证研究精度需要的定量分析.对于液态环境下的QCM数据的分析,我们着重介绍了＂固化水层＂模型,该模型允许QCM在一定的条件下成为一把＂分子尺＂,工作范围从几个纳米到数百纳米.该分子尺在多个创新界面问题研究中得到很好的应用.最后,我们从理论上分析了QCM作为生物传感器的先天缺陷--因基于面均质量检测的原理,QCM技术对溶液中蛋白的检测下限仅在1μg mL-1数量级.进一步,我们探索了QCM的发展方向和潜在应用领域,希望籍此能进一步推广QCM在各个学科界面问题中的研究应用.     

Organic vapor sensing properties and characterization of α-naphthylmethacrylate LB thin films

Determination of organic vapor sensing properties of α-Naphthylmethacrylate (α-NMA) monomer based Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) thin films was aimed in this study. LB thin film fabrication was performed on quartz glass and quartz crystal substrates in order to investigate the characterization and organic vapor properties of α-NMA materials by using UV-Visible, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) techniques. π-A isotherm graph was taken and a suitable surface pressure value were primarily determined as 13?mN m^?1 for successful α-NMA LB thin film fabrication. Transfer ratio value was found to be ≥ 0.93 for quartz glass and quartz crystal substrates. The typical frequency shift per layer was obtained as 16.93?Hz/layer and the deposited mass onto a quartz crystal was calculated as 271.30?ng/layer (1.02?ng mm^?2). The sensing responses of α-NMA LB films against dichloromethane, chloroform, toluene and m-xylene were measured by QCM system. Dichloromethane created the maximum shift in the resonance frequency than other organic vapors used in this study. Results exhibited that α-NMA LB thin films were potential candidates for organic vapor sensing applications, especially high sensitive detection of dichloromethane at room temperature.     

Molecular imprinted polymer coated QCM for the detection of nandrolone

An acoustic wave sensor coated with an artificial biomimetic recognition element has been developed to selectively screen for nandrolone in the liquid phase. A highly specific covalently imprinted polymer (MIP) was spin coated onto one electrode of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) as a thin permeable film. Selective rebinding of the nandrolone was observed as a frequency shift in the QCM for concentrations up to 0.2 ppm with the sensor binding shown to favour nandrolone over analogous compounds.     

Quartz resonator signatures under Newtonian liquid loading for initial instrument check

The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) has been increasingly utilized in the monitoring of the deposition of thin macromolecular films. Studies in the deposition of polymers, biomaterials, and interfacial reactions under electrochemical environment are some of the conditions for the study of these material and deposition properties at a lipid interface. Numerous studies have shown the difficulties in configuring an experimental setup for the QCM such that the recorded data reflect only the behavior of the quartz crystal and its load, and not some artifact. Such artifacts for use in liquids include mounting stress, surface properties such as hydrophobicity, surface roughness coupling to loading liquids, influence of compressional waves, and even problems with the electronic circuitry including the neglect of the quartz capacitance and the hysteretic effects of electronic components. It is thought useful to obtain a simple test by which the user could make a quick initial assessment of the instrument's performance. When a smooth quartz crystal resonator is immersed from air into a Newtonian liquid, the resonance and loss characteristics of the QCM are changed. A minimum of two experimental parameters is needed to characterize these changes. One of the changes is that of the resonant frequency. The second is characterized by either a change in the equivalent circuit resistance (DeltaR) or a change in the resonance dissipation (DeltaD). Two combinations of these observables, in terms of either Deltaf and DeltaR or Deltaf and DeltaD, which we define as Newtonian signatures of S(1) and S(2), are calculated to have fixed values and to be independent of the harmonic and of the physical values of the Newtonian liquid. We have experimentally determined the values of S(1) and S(2) using three different QCM systems. These are the standard oscillator, the network analyzer, and the QCM dissipation instrument. To test the sensitivity of these signatures to surface roughness, which is potential experimental artifact, we determined the values of S(1) and S(2) for roughened crystals and found that these signatures do reflect that experimental condition. Moreover, these results were qualitatively in accord with the roughness scaling factor described by Martin.     

Investigation by QCM of the Specific and Nonspecific Avidin Interaction onto a Biotinylated Polypyrrole Film

We have studied by gravimetric measurements using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), the adsorption of avidin onto a polypyrrole film. From QCM results, it appears that both the thickness and the redox state of polypyrrole strongly influence the avidin adsorption. This nonspecific interaction is larger for a thick film than for a thin one and, also for when the polymer is in its reduced state. We have also investigated by QCM the specific and nonspecific interaction of avidin onto biotinylated polypyrrole films having either a hydrophilic or hydrophobic character. It is shown that the amount of avidin immobilized by specific recognition is almost the same whatever the nature of the polymer matrix.     

Oscillating Frequency Response of a Langasite Crystal Microbalance in Liquid Phase

The frequency responses of a langasite crystal microbalance （LCM） in liquid phase were investigated. It was shown that the LCM possessed much stronger oscillating ability in liquid phase than that of the commonly used quartz crystal microbalance （QCM）. The frequency shifts of the LCM to the changes in mass loading, as well as viscosity and density of the liquid were measured. The LCM was applied to monitor the adsorption process of an ionic liquid film to ethanol vapor.     

Design and Performance of a New Thin‐Layer Radial‐Flow Holder for a Quartz Crystal Resonator of an Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance

A new compact holder for either 5‐ or 10‐MHz AT‐cut quartz crystal resonator of an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance was designed, fabricated and characterized. The holder is a hydrodynamically controlled thin‐layer radial‐flow microelectrochemical cell. Its unique feature consists of (i) a micrometer‐screw adjustable distance between the movable coaxial assembly of the Ag/Ag⁺ pseudoreference electrode and the inlet capillary nozzle with respect to the metal‐film working electrode of the quartz crystal resonator, and (ii) a U‐clamp mountable resonator, easily accessible for change without using any tools. The inlet solution stream is centered axially against the working electrode. The holder performance was tested under different flow conditions. These include hydrodynamic voltammetry measurements on the Fe(CN) /Fe(CN) couple, i.e., a redox system with no mass transfer across the solution–electrode interface, as well as simultaneous chronoamperometry and chronoelectrogravimetry measurements under flow injection analysis (FIA) conditions on the Ag/Ag⁺ couple, i.e., a system with electrodeposition of a rigid metallic film. Moreover, simultaneous changes of resonant frequency and dynamic resistance were measured under FIA conditions for a glycerol solution, i.e., an electroinactive viscous medium. For the 30<F_m<180 μL min^?1 volume flow rate of solution and 50<d<250 μm nozzle‐to‐resonator distance, the holder operates in a thin‐layer radial‐flow regime at a fully developed laminar flow. For F_m=30 μL min^?1 and d=100 μm, both mass and charge conversion accompanying silver electrodeposition is appreciably high and close to 35%. Simultaneous measurements of the resonant frequency change and current‐potential or current‐time transients allowed investigations of electrochemical processes involving mass changes of rigid deposits while those of the frequency change and dynamic resistance change involve changes of viscoelastic properties of medium.     

Electrochemical decomposition of layer-by-layer thin films composed of TEMPO-modified poly(acrylic acid) and poly(ethyleneimine)

The decomposition of layer-by-layer (LbL) thin films composed of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl free radical-appended poly(acrylic acid) (TEMPO-PAA) and poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) was studied by using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and cyclic voltammetry. The electrode potential of the (PEI/TEMPO-PAA)₄/PEI film-coated Au resonator was scanned from +0.2 to +0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl. The CV showed that the oxidation peak current decreased as the number of scans increased. The change in the resonance frequency of the QCM increased after electrolysis, indicating that the film was decomposed by electrolysis. The positive charges originating from the oxoammonium ions probably destabilized the (PEI/TEMPO-PAA)₄/PEI film. Furthermore, the release of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphine tetrasulfonic acid (TPPS) from TPPS-loaded (PEI/TEMPO-PAA)₄/PEI-coated ITO electrodes was investigated. TPPS was released at electrode potentials greater than +0.6 V by the decomposition of the film. The results suggest that TEMPO-PAA/PEI LbL films are suitable for electrochemically controlled drug delivery systems.     

Quartz Microbalance Microcalorimetry: A new method for studying polymer-solvent thermodynamics

We have developed a sensitive method of determining enthalpy changes for gas-surface interactions: quartz microbalance microcalorimetry. We mount in an isoperibol environment both sample and reference combinations of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) in intimate thermal contact with a heat flow sensor. We coat the sample QCM with a thin (1 µm) polymer film. By exposing the film to ethanol vapor, we measure simultaneously the change in mass per unit area (to ±0.25 ng cm^–2) and the resulting heat flows (to ±50 nW) when the polymer adsorbs or desorbs ethanol. The molar enthalpies of sorption of ethanol vapor in Tecoflex, an aliphatic polyurethane elastomer, are _adsorptionH= –53±8 kJ mol^–1 and _desorptionH=52±3 kJ mol^–1.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A novel quartz crystal microbalance gas sensor based on porous film coatings. A high sensitivity porous poly(methylmethacrylate) water vapor sensor

We describe a novel and generally applicable approach for creating voids in films deposited on the surface of solid substrates. Such films are advantageous when a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is the basis of a sensor. We show that films with large void volumes produce more sensitive sensors than with the original film. Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) was used as the polymer layer deposited on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to demonstrate our technique for the model system of water vapor analysis in flowing nitrogen gas. A film of pure PMMA on a QCM is a sensor for water vapor in a gas phase. A more sensitive sensor was created by dip coating QCM crystals into solutions containing mixtures of PMMA and poly(d,l-lactide) (PDLL) and then evaporating the solution films on the QCM crystals to form mixed polymer films of varying PDLL content. The PDLL was then removed from the mixed polymer films by exposure to a NaOH solution to form pure PMMA films having various void volumes. A leached PMMA film that originally contained 50% by weight PDLL had a 3.7 times larger QCM sensitivity for water vapor than a pure PMMA film.