Design and validation of a low-cost open-source impedance based quartz crystal microbalance for electrochemical research
Rens J. Horst,
Antonis Katzourakis,
Bastian T. Mei,
Sissi de Beer
Affiliations
Rens J. Horst
Sustainable Polymer Chemistry Group, Department of Molecules & Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands; Photocatalytic Synthesis Group, Department of Molecules & Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands; Corresponding author at: Current address: Membrane Materials & Processes Group, Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Technical University of Eindhoven, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Antonis Katzourakis
Super B Lithium Batteries, Hengelo, The Netherlands
Bastian T. Mei
Photocatalytic Synthesis Group, Department of Molecules & Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
Sissi de Beer
Sustainable Polymer Chemistry Group, Department of Molecules & Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurement technique is utilized in a broad variety of scientific fields and applications, where surface and interfacial processes are relevant. However, the costs of purchasing QCMs is typically high, which has limited its employment in education as well as by scientists in developing countries. In this article, we present an open-source QCM, built on the OpenQCM project, and using an impedance-based measurement technique (QCM-I), which can be built for <200 euro. Our QCM allows for simultaneous monitoring of the frequency change and dissipation, such that both soft and rigid materials can be characterized. In addition, our QCM measurements can be combined with simultaneous electrochemical measurement techniques (EQCM-I). We demonstrate the validity of our system by characterizing the electrodeposition of a rigid metallic film (Cu) and by the electropolymerization of aniline. Finally, we discuss potential improvements to our system.
