Adsorption studies of cationic starch onto quartz surface through an electrode-separated piezoelectric sensor

In the construction of an electrode-separated piezoelectric sensor (ESPS), the quartz surface is in direct contact with the liquid phase. The negatively charged quartz crystal surface can adsorb cationic starch. This adsorption process was in situ monitored from the frequency shift of the ESPS. It was shown that the adsorption of cationic starch onto the quartz surface is reversible with respect the dilution of the bulk phase. The adsorption behavior can be described by Langmuir model. The adsorption density and kinetics parameters were estimated from the frequency responses of the ESPS. The influence of pH and ionic strength on adsorption parameters was investigated. It was shown that the influence of pH on the adsorption rate was slight. With increasing ionic strength, the rate constants for adsorption and desorption increase, but the adsorption equilibrium constant and saturation adsorption density decrease. The adsorption equilibrium constant and adsorption density reach a maximum in buffer of pH 10.