Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (Biolin Scientific)

It is a real-time nanoscale technique for analysing surface phenomena, including thin film formation, interactions, and reactions. It can be used for real-time monitoring of the adsorption/desorption behaviour at the solid-liquid interface. Any nano to micro thin-film substrates can be employed for this purpose. Swelling characteristics can be monitored, and D2O/H2O exchange studies can determine the films’ water uptake and water content. Changes in the supramolecular structure (e.g., heat treatment, chemical treatment, and biopolymers adsorption) usually accompany a change in water content and uptake. Also, the viscoelastic properties of the films can be investigated—suitable samples: model surfaces in the dry, swollen and wet states.