Using QCM-D to analyze thin polymer films
Malin Edvardsson Apr 5, ’22 > 5 min

Using QCM-D to analyze thin polymer films

Polymer layer conformation and the degree of hydration are key parameters influencing the interfacial properties. The build-up of thin polymer layers, conformational changes and molecular interaction with polymer films can be analyzed using QSense QCM-D technology. Here we show how.

Analyze polymer layer build-up, molecular interaction, and structural change

Polymer brushes and polyelectrolyte multilayers are used in many applications where there is a need to tailor the interfacial properties and to promote a certain interaction with the surrounding environment. QSense QCM-D is a surface sensitive technology which has been used for almost two decades to analyze polymer-based systems, and, as stated in a recently published review by Easley et al1, it is a powerful tool to monitor film growth, material adsorption, thin film swelling, and ion exchange.

In brief, QCM-D collects time-resolved information on mass, thickness, and viscoelastic properties of surface adhering layers, and this allows for monitoring of the build-up of polymer layers, as well as for analysis of molecular interaction with the polymer film formed at the QCM-D sensor surface. Since QCM-D senses the hydrated mass, i.e., the mass of both the polymer molecules and the coupled solvent, it is an excellent technology to analyze polymer-based systems where the layer conformation and degree of hydration are important aspects to obtain the targeted interfa­cial properties. Monitoring the hydrated mass enables not only detection of layer build-up and molecular interaction with the polymer layer, but it also enables analy­sis of dynamic behavior such the transition between hydrated and dehydrated states, i.e., water uptake and release, which are sensed as changes in mass, as illustrated in Fig 1.

Polymer conformational changes

Figure 1. Top panel: Schematic illustration of A) polymer grafting to a surface followed by B) conformational change due to changes in external conditions, C) which is reversible when the conditions are changed back to the original setting. Middle panel: The layer grafting and conformational changes are characterized by QSense QCM-D, where Δf (blue) corresponds to mass changes at the surface and ΔD (red) corresponds to layer softness. Bottom: The quantified mass as a function of time.

Vary the conditions to examine the response of the polymer film to external changes

Running QCM-D analysis at different conditions of interest, varying for example surface (substrate) material, temperature, pH, salt concentration or salt type, the properties and dynamic behavior of the polymer-based system can be characterized as well as tailored for the target application.

Polymer layer properties and dynamic behavior that can be analyzed includes:
  1. Grafting kinetics of polymer chains
  2. Build-up of PEM:s
  3. Conformational changes of polymer layers
  4. Molecular interaction with polymer layers

Concluding remarks

As stated in the review by Easley et al.1, the use of QCM-D to examine real-time responses of thin polymer films is rapidly expanding. QCM-D senses hydrated mass, i.e., the mass of both the polymer molecules and the coupled solvent, which makes it particularly suitable for analysis of dynamic behavior such the transition between hydrated and dehydrated states, i.e. water uptake and release, which are sensed as changes in mass

QSense QCM-D is for example used to:

  • Characterize the build-up and growth process of PEMs
  • Assess thickness of thin polymer layers
  • Assess conformation of end-grafted polymer chains as a function of ambient solvent conditions
  • Explore polymer layer responsiveness and stimuli-responsive behavior as a function of changes in the external conditions, such as pH, temperature, and salt concentration
  • Characterize molecular interaction with polymer layers, such as binding, protein repellency and antifouling properties

Download the overview to read more about how thin polymer films can be characterized using QSense QCM-D technology.

QCM-D analysis if thin polymer films
Overview

Characterization of polymer based systems with QSense

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References

[1] A. D., Easley, et al, J Polym Sci. 2021;1–18, A practical guide to quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring of thin polymer films., https://doi.org/10.1002/pol.20210324

 

Editors note: This post was originally published in Oct 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness

Related products

   QSense Pro Looking for a companion in large-scale QCM-D analysis? The fully automated  QSense Pro is best fit for the job.
   QSense Analyzer Both fast and flexible, QSense Analyzer enables you to compare several samples  at the same time.

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