Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
mcmaster university logo McMaster logo

Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D)

Overview

QCM DThe Q-Sense Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D; E4 Auto) monitors molecule-surface interactions, thin film formation and layer properties.

QCM monitors mass changes at the sensor surface with nanoscale resolution via frequency measurements, and monitors energy loss (i.e. dissipation) to characterize structural or film changes.

It is commonly used to characterize binding and the formation of thin films.

This system can capture the kinetics of both structural changes and mass changes simultaneously.

This instrument is wide used with our Spin Coater – the Spin Coater is used to prepare the sensors.

Instrument
Uses

  • Surface characterization
  • Molecular binding
  • Film characterization
  • Surfactant characterization

Sample
Requirements

  • Liquid medium
  • Appropriately prepared sensor

System
Requirements

  • Substances must be compatible with the system and tubing components
  • Sensor
  • No organics