ABSTRACT
In this chapter, theory and basic principles of the electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance (EQCN) operation are presented. Converse piezoelectric effect, frequency-mass correlations, viscoelastic effects, effect of solution viscosity and density on resonant frequency, and other effects contributing to the frequency shift are discussed. Various applications of the EQCN are reviewed. These include reaction mechanisms on metal electrodes, adsorption of ions and organic molecules, underpotential deposition of metals, monitoring of electrical double-layer structure changes at electrodes, and selected examples of conductive polymers. The applications presented are not limited to monitoring mass changes at the electrode-solution interface. The EQCN also determines the point of zero charge, elastic properties of films, viscosity of solutions, etc. Wealth of information about the structure and properties of films on electrodes can be retrieved from measurements of resonant resistance, dissipation factor, and admittance of piezoeloectrodes. The combination of EQCN with other surface science techniques may enhance the scope of measurements. The resonators, EQCN cells, and measurement instrumentation are also described.
