Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance study of azurin adsorption onto an alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer on gold

A quartz crystal microbalance coupled with electrochemistry was used to examine the adsorption of azurin on a gold electrode modified with a self-assembled monolayer of octanethiol. Azurin adsorbed irreversibly to form a densely packed monolayer. The rate of azurin adsorption was related to the bulk concentration of azurin in solution within the concentration range studied. At a high azurin concentration (2.75 muM), adsorption was rapid with a stable adsorption maximum attained in 2-3 min. At a lower azurin solution concentration (0.35 muM), the time to reach a stable adsorption maximum was approximately 30 min. Interestingly, the maximum surface concentration attained for all solution concentrations studied by the QCM method was 25 +/- 1 pmol cm-2, close to that predicted for monolayer coverage. The dissipation was monitored during adsorption, and only small changes were detected, implying a rigid adsorption model, as needed when using the Sauerbrey equation. Cyclic voltammetric data were consistent with a one-electron, surface-confined CuII/CuI azurin process with fast electron-transfer kinetics. The electroactive surface concentration calculated using voltammetry was 7 +/- 1 pmol cm-2. The differences between the QCM and voltammetrically determined surface coverage values reflect, predominantly, the different measurement methods but imply that all surface-confined azurin is not electrochemically active on the time scale of cyclic voltammetry.     

Characterization of adsorption of humic acid onto alumina using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation

In this paper, a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) is used to investigate humic acid (HA) adsorption onto alumina (Al(2)O(3)). The amount of adsorption and layer structures of HA were determined by the real-time monitoring of resonance frequency and energy dissipation changes (Δf and ΔD). The effect of HA concentration, HA molecular characteristics (molecular weight and polarity), and pH on HA adsorption onto Al(2)O(3) were investigated. The mass of HA adsorption increases as the concentration of HA increases. The masses are about 24, 60, and 87 ng cm(-2) as the concentration of DOC is 1.0, 4.85, and 92.0 mg L(-1), respectively. The adsorbed layer of HA is more nonrigid, and the mass of HA adsorption is higher at weakly acidic pH values. It was 20, 80, 65, and 45 ng cm(-2) at pH values of 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 8.0, respectively. This reveals that efficient HA removal by coagulation at weakly acidic pH values is not just due to the hydrolysis of Al ions as previously presumed. The adsorbed layer of hydrophobic HA is more nonrigid than hydrophobic HA (fractionated by Amberlite XAD-8 resin), and the mass adsorption for the hydrophobic fraction is about four times higher than the hydrophilic fraction (120 ng cm(-2) and 30 ng cm(-2)). The method is of value in the research to establish a quantified calculation model for the coagulation process.     

A quartz crystal microbalance study of the adsorption of quaternary ammonium derivates on iron and cementite

The adsorption of alkyl trimethyl ammonium bromide with alkyl groups from C₁₀ to C₁₆ onto solid surfaces (iron and cementite (Fe₃C)) is investigated with and without NaCl. For the first time the adsorption of these surface active compounds onto model carbon steel compounds are measured directly by the use of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The adsorption increases steeply around the critical micelle concentration (cmc) in bulk which was also determined for the homologous series. The adsorption of the higher homologues shows rather rigid surface structures while a detailed interpretation of the isotherms for the lowest homologues is disturbed by high bulk viscosities. Based on the obtained results, and in comparison with similar adsorbents on hydrophilic oxide surfaces, it is concluded that the surfactant is adsorbed patchwise in similar structures as in bulk. Finally, the possibilities for close-packing of the surfactant film are discussed.     

A quartz crystal microbalance study on a metallic nickel electrode

Electrochemical processes taking place on a Ni electrode have been investigated with the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. At potentials negative of ca. –500 mV vs. SCE, a closed frequency loop is observed without irreversible changes in the mass of the electrode. The phase transition - -Ni(OH)₂, taking place at potentials positive to –500 mV vs. SCE, is accompanied by an irreversible increase in the mass of the electrode. When Ni(OH)₂ is further oxidized, the frequency increase is followed by a decrease, indicating the transport of various species in both directions, i.e. from and into the electrode. During the Ni(OH)₂ oxidation reaction the transport of species responsible for the mass increase is slower than the charge transfer process.Contribution to the 3rd Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, GDASK-SOBIESZEWO, 23–26 April 2003. Dedicated to the memory of Harry B. Mark, Jr. (February 28, 1934–March 3rd, 2003)     

A comparative study of surfactant adsorption on model surfaces using the quartz crystal microbalance and the ellipsometer

The nature of hexaethylene glycol mono-n-tetradecyl ether (C(14)EO(6)) layers adsorbed onto different model surfaces was systematically investigated by means of QCM-D (quartz crystal microbalance-dissipation) and ellipsometry. The amount of non-ionic surfactant adsorbed is determined both at hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. In particular, the substrates employed were hydrophilic silica, hydrophobized silica (using dimethyldichlorosilane), and hydrophobized gold surfaces (using 10-thiodecane and 16-thiohexadecane). It was shown that the frequency shift obtained from the QCM-D experiments results in an overestimation of the adsorbed mass. This is attributed to two different effects, viz. water that is coupled to the adsorbed layer due to hydration of the polar region of the surfactant and second water that for other reasons is trapped within the adsorbed layer. Furthermore, from the ellipsometry data the adsorbed layer thickness is determined. By combining the thickness information and the dissipation parameter (obtained from the QCM-D experiments), we note that the dissipation parameter is insufficient in describing the viscoelastic character of thin surfactant films.     

A study of glycoprotein-lectin interactions using quartz crystal microbalance

A study of biospecific interactions between lectins and glycoproteins using a quartz crystal microbalance biosensor with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) was reported. Four lectins were covalently immobilised on the thiol-modified gold electrode of the QCM chips in order to obtain sensing surfaces. The frequency shift served as analytical signal and the dissipation shift provided additional information about the viscoelastic properties of the glycoprotein-lectin complex formed on the surface of the QCM chip. The working conditions of the assay were optimised. The interaction between different lectins and glycoproteins was characterised by specific frequency shifts and each glycoprotein displayed its own unique lectin-binding pattern. This lectin pattern can serve as a finger print for the discrimination between various glycoproteins. The biosensor enabled quantitative determination of glycoproteins in the concentration range of 50 μg mL⁻¹ to 1 mg mL⁻¹ with good linearity and R.S.D. of less than 6.0%. An additional advantage of the proposed biosensor was the possibility to re-use the same lectin surfaces during a long period of time (2 month) without changes in analytical response. This was experimentally achieved by the application of a proper regeneration solution (10 mM glycine-HCl, pH 2.5). The lectin-based quartz crystal microbalance technique is suitable both for rapid screening and for quantitative assay of serum glycoproteins.     

Improved alternate deposition of biodegradable naturally occurring polymers onto a quartz crystal microbalance

The ultrathin polymer films that were composed of biodegradable and naturally occurring chitosan and poly(γ‐benzylglutamate) were stably deposited onto a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) by alternate immersion of a QCM from their aqueous solutions in the presence of water‐soluble organic solvents as a USS soluble solvent. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 801–804, 1999     

Probing protein adsorption onto mercaptoundecanoic acid stabilized gold nanoparticles and surfaces by quartz crystal microbalance and zeta-potential measurements

The adsorption characteristics of three proteins [bovine serum albumin (BSA), myoglobin (Mb), and cytochrome c (CytC)] onto self-assembled monolayers of mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) on both gold nanoparticles (AuNP) and gold surfaces (Au) are described. The combination of quartz crystal microbalance measurements with dissipation (QCM-D) and pH titrations of the zeta-potential provide information on layer structure, surface coverage, and potential. All three proteins formed adsorption layers consisting of an irreversibly adsorbed fraction and a reversibly adsorbed fraction. BSA showed the highest affinity for the MUA/Au, forming an irreversibly adsorbed rigid monolayer with a side-down orientation and packing close to that expected in the jamming limit. In addition, BSA showed a large change in the adsorbed mass due to reversibly bound protein. The data indicate that the irreversibly adsorbed fraction of CytC is a monolayer structure, whereas the irreversibly adsorbed Mb is present in form of a bilayer. The observation of stable BSA complexes on MUA/AuNPs at the isoelectric point by zeta-potential measurements demonstrates that BSA can sterically stabilize MUA/AuNP. On the other hand, MUA/AuNP coated with either Mb or CytC formed a reversible flocculated state at the isoelectric point. The colloidal stability differences may be correlated with weaker binding in the reversibly bound overlayer in the case of Mb and CytC as compared to BSA.     

Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance study of perchlorate and perrhenate anion adsorption on polycrystalline gold electrode

The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) was used to study adsorption/desorption of perchlorate and perrhenate ions on a bare polycrystalline gold electrode. An electrode mass change in perrhenate solution was about double that of perchlorate. The equivalent mass of adsorbed anions (about 260 and 120 g F⁻¹ respectively) suggests adsorption of perchlorate and perrhenate anions on a polycrystalline gold electrode in the double-layer region. Water molecules are partially expelled from the gold surface during the initial stages of anion adsorption. The water loss is about three times larger for perrhenate compared to perchlorate due to the bigger ionic radius (volume) of the perrhenate anion.     

Monitoring the specific adsorption of proteins using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance electrodes

This work describes the results of a mechanistic investigation of antibody-antigen binding using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The aim was to verify the contribution of electrolytes to conducting polypyrrole electrodes that have been modified with proteins. The behavior of an EQCM film containing various counterions was studied (chloride, dodecylsulphate and proteins) and mass changes recorded in a series of anions, cations and proteins. Results obtained indicate that the interaction of different proteins at quartz crystal electrode surface is dependent on the applied potential, the nature of the cations and anions, and the specificity of the immobilized antibody. The resonant frequency of the anti-HSA-coated quartz abruptly decreased upon contact with the antigen and this stabilized within 5 min in the concentration range between 1 and 100 ppm. The injection of other proteins such as bovine serum albumin and chymotrypsin, yielded responses that were significantly lower in magnitude than those obtained for the corresponding HSA.     

Study of adsorption behavior of bilirubin on human-albumin monolayer using a quartz crystal microbalance

The quartz crystal microbalance was employed to study the adsorption behavior of bilirubin on human-albumin layer, which was chemically bound to the self-assembled monolayer of 4-aminothiophenol on the surface of a gold electrode of the crystal via glutaraldehyde. A long-time adsorption process of bilirubin that took place on a human-albumin-modified surface was observed, and the adsorption kinetic parameters were estimated from the in situ frequency measurements. The amount of adsorbed bilirubin increased with increasing of both hydrogen ions and bilirubin concentration and was larger than that estimated based on the conclusion that there are two affinity sites for bilirubin per albumin molecule. With the present method, the displacement of bilirubin from an albumin layer caused by aspirin was also examined. QCM measurement provides a facile method for in situ monitoring of the adsorption/desorption of bilirubin on proteins layers.     

Petroleum resins adsorption onto quartz sand: near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy study

In this paper we have tried to evaluate adsorption parameters of petroleum resins. Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is applied for resins bulk concentration evaluation during adsorption process. NIR experimental scheme and parameters are provided. NIR spectra range of 9000-13,000 cm(-1) is chosen. Quartz sand (0.2-0.8 mm fraction) is used as adsorbent; benzene is used as solvent. Different approaches of "NIR spectra-resins concentration" calibration model building are discussed. Partial least squares (PLS) regression method is used. Langmuir model is chosen for experimental data fitting. Combined usage of kinetic and isothermic data gives us ability to evaluate the maximal adsorbed mass density, the equilibrium constant of adsorption, and the rate constants of adsorption (and desorption). The rate constants of resins adsorption and desorption are found to be concentration independent.     

Study of anion adsorption on polycrystalline Pt by electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance

The changes observed on Pt surfaces during a potential incursion into the underpotentially deposited (UPD) hydrogen and double layer ranges (0.05 to 0.8 V versus HESS) were analyzed in perchloric, sulfuric, phosphoric and hydrochloric acid media. Surface occupation after hydrogen desorption was verified in terms of both mass variations and voltammetric charges measured by EQCM and cyclic voltammetry. Firstly, mass incorporation due to the adsorption of water molecules (approximately 39 ng cm⁻², corresponding to a full monolayer of adsorbed water) replacing the UPD H atoms was observed in every case. The potential range associated with water adsorption varied from 0.05 V to a final value that depended on the strength of anion adsorption on Pt (0.4 V for ClO₄⁻ and 0.3 V for Cl⁻). Secondly, the mass incorporations in the potential region between 0.4 and 0.8 V were associated to adsorption of the corresponding hydrated anions, i.e., ClO₄⁻·2H₂O, HSO₄⁻·2H₂O, HPO₄²⁻ and Cl⁻·6H₂O. Calculated anion coverage values varied from 7 (perchlorate) to 19% (phosphate) on the Pt surface.     

A quartz crystal microbalance study of the removal of solid organic soils from a hard surface in aqueous surfactant solution

A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) has been employed to monitor the removal of two model solid organic soils, dotriacontane and tripalmitin, from the hard surface of the QCM crystal in aqueous surfactant solutions of octa-ethyleneglycol mono n-dodecyl ether (C₁₂E₈). We have investigated the effect of varying the thickness of the soil coating on soil removal and the effect of soaking the soil in high-purity water for an extended period of time before adding surfactant. The QCM results support the view that net soil removal is preceded by a stage of water and surfactant penetration into the soil. The rate of penetration and rate of removal depends on the soil type. Water and surfactant take longer to penetrate dotriacontane compared to tripalmitin coatings. The removal process also occurs over a longer period of time in the case of dotriacontane coatings. The percentage of material removed is less for dotriacontane, compared to tripalmitin coatings. The initial coating thickness on the hard surface does not appear to govern the final percentage of soil removed, at least in the thickness range accessible to the QCM (approximately ≤800 nm). Immersing the soil coated surfaces in water for a relatively long time, hastens the onset of the removal stage after surfactant is added but does not significantly influence the rate and extent of removal from the hard surface.     

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.     

Immobilization of liposomes onto quartz crystal microbalance to detect interaction between liposomes and proteins

To study the interaction between liposomes and proteins, intact liposomes were immobilized on a metal planar support by chemical binding and/or bioaffinity using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). A large decrease in the resonance frequency of quartz crystal was observed when the QCM, modified by a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of carboxythiol, was added to liposome solutions. The stable chemical immobilization of intact liposomes onto SAM was judged according to the degree with which adsorbed mass depended on the prepared size of liposomes, as well as on the activation time of SAMs when amino-coupling was introduced, where the liposome coverage of electrodes was 69+/-8% in optimal conditions. When avidin-biotin binding was used on amino-coupling liposome layers, liposome immobilization finally reached 168% coverage of the electrode surface. Denatured protein was also successfully detected according to the change in the frequency of the liposome-immobilized QCM. The adsorbed mass of denatured carbonic anhydrase from bovine onto immobilized liposomes showed a characteristic peak at a concentration of guanidine hydrochloride that corresponded to a molten globule-like state of the protein, although the mass adsorbed onto deactivated SAM increased monotonously.     

Adsorption of polymeric micelles and vesicles on a surface investigated by quartz crystal microbalance

Polystyrene-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PS-b-PNIPAM) diblock copolymers either with or without thiol end groups, depending on the relative length of the two blocks, form micelles or vesicles in water. The adsorption of such micelles or vesicles on a gold surface from aqueous solution was investigated in situ at 20 degrees C by use of a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). The changes in frequency (Deltaf) and dissipation (DeltaD) revealed that the micelles and vesicles without thiol groups were intact with some deformation when they were deposited on the surface. On the other hand, the micelles and vesicles with thiol groups at the end of PNIPAM blocks would transform into trilayers due to the strong interaction between thiols and gold surface.     

Lectin-carbohydrate affinity measured using a quartz crystal microbalance

The association of two molecules is described by two parameters, association equilibrium and association rate constants, which are characteristic for a given type of interaction. Usually, they are determined for interacting molecules dissolved in solution. However, for many applications one type of molecules is immobilized on a substrate, which may influence the binding kinetics. The studied complex of concanavalin A and carboxypeptidase Y belongs to the lectin-carbohydrate type of interaction involving the recognition of oligosaccharide moieties. The concanavalin A was immobilized on a gold electrode of quartz crystal, while carboxypeptidase Y was added to a buffer (Tris-buffered saline). The constants describing the association of the investigated molecules were determined on the basis of measurements performed using a quartz crystal microbalance in liquid. The obtained values were (0.59+/-0.01)x10(6) M(-1) for the association equilibrium constant and (5.6+/-0.1)x10(4) M(-1)s(-1) for the association rate constant. The saturation binding experiment gave another value of the association constant, (2.7+/-0.02)x10(6) M(-1). The comparison of obtained values with previously published ones verifies that the molecule orientation and binding site accessibility for specific ligands could influence the association equilibrium constant value. The presented measurements demonstrate the ability of a quartz crystal microbalance to detect and to evaluate the association process occurring between molecules.