Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D) is a powerful analytical tool that probes interfacial phenomena with exceptional sensitivity. For materials forming a thin, elastic overlayer on the quartz crystal sensor, the increase in weight per area is linear with the decrease of the resonance frequency of the crystal, according to the Sauerbrey equation. For semi-infinite Newtonian overlayers, the resonance frequency decreases with the square root of the viscosity, following the Kanazawa-Gordon equation, and allowing the use of the device as a viscosimeter. On the other hand, viscoelastic materials have more complex behaviors. By monitoring the frequency shifts as well as the dissipation changes, QCM-D is capable of providing insights into the structural dynamics of thin films and soft materials. However, it is not always clear for the researchers how to design the experiments and perform the calculations required for analyses. This talk will describe the origin of the models used, and the best practices for the experimental design, data interpretation and the overcoming of common challenges to ensure accurate and reproducible results. Case studies will include thin layers of soft materials, adsorption studies and the potential use of QCM-D as a rheometer. The goal of this talk is to transfer practical knowledge on the use of QCM-D to allow for new possibilities in material characterization and adsorption research.
