Quarz Crystal Microbalance

Quarz Crystal Microbalance | Biolin Scientific, QCM-D QSense Explorer

Location: LFG, Haberstraße 7, 91058 Erlangen, Room 0.008-1

The QSense Explorer provides real-time analysis of molecular interactions on surfaces and interfaces under a variety of measurement conditions. It can be used to quantitatively and qualitatively determine the mass and thickness of viscoelastic properties of rigid and flexible films. It also offers a high degree of flexibility, with full freedom of interaction during measurements and easy switching between different test setups. Compatibility with an extended temperature range chamber of 4 – 150°C allows measurements to be taken at extreme temperatures. The QSense Explorer can also be combined with other techniques such as electrochemistry, ellipsometry or microscopy using a standard measurement chamber. In addition, a wide range of sensor surfaces and coatings are available to create model systems as realistically as possible.

The following phenomena can be analyzed: adsorption, desorption, binding and interaction, swelling/deswelling, cross-linking, decomposition, degradation, corrosion and etching. Measurements can be performed under the following conditions: Flow mode, stagnant mode, gas phase (additional module required), liquid phase, aggressive chemicals, low temperature (additional module required), high temperature (additional module required), humidity (additional module required), variable pressure (additional module required) and inert surfaces (additional module required).

M. Sc. Sophie Mayer, M. Sc. Natalie Bonakdar, Sandra Wittpahl

Measuring range and capacity:

  • Measurement channels: 1
  • Temperature range: 15 to 65°C, 4 to 150°C (with QSense high temperature chamber)
  • Sensors (frequency range): 5 MHz (1-72)
  • Number of harmonics measured: 7, allowing full viscoelastic modelling

Sample and fluidics:

  • Minimum sample volume, stagnant mode: ~ 40 μL, ~ 10 μL (with QSense module open)
  • Minimum sample volume, flow mode: ~ 200 μL
  • Flow rates: 25-150 μL/min (peristaltic pump adjustable from 0-1 mL/min)

Performance features:

  • Maximum time resolution: 300 data points per second (each data point corresponds to one f and one D value)
  • LOD (3 x noise): 1.56 ng/cm2
  • Minimum noise: frequency: 0.03 Hz, amount: 0.5 ng/cm2, loss: 11*10-9
  • Long term stability: frequency: < 1Hz/h, dissipation: < 0.15*10-6, temperature: < 0.02°C/h

https://www.biolinscientific.com/qsense/instruments/qsense-explorer-microscopy

Further information to follow