The quartz crystal microbalance can provide accurate mass and viscoelastic properties for films in the micron or submicron range, which is relevant for investigations in biomedical and environmental sensing, coatings, and polymer science. The sample thickness influences which information can be obtained from the material in contact with the sensor.
dePolo, G. E., Schafer, E., Sadman, K., Rivnay, J., Shull, K. R. Sample Preparation in Quartz Crystal Microbalance Measurements of Protein Adsorption and Polymer Mechanics. J. Vis. Exp. (155), e60584, doi:10.3791/60584 (2020).