How much mass is gained or lost during an electrochemical event?
Frequency-charge tracking
Performance Testing · Electrical & Electrochemical
Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance (EQCM)
Measure nanogram-scale interfacial mass changes while potential, current and charge are controlled.
- Price
- from£105 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 9 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Gamry eQCM 10M
- Typical outputs
- Frequency and electrochemical tracesApparent mass changeMass-per-charge relationshipCycle-to-cycle retention
Why this service
What EQCM can help you understand
EQCM tracks resonant frequency and dissipation or resistance while an electrochemical process occurs on a quartz sensor. It can relate charge to deposition, dissolution, adsorption or ion-solvent…
Is the mass-to-charge ratio consistent with the proposed reaction?
Potential-cycle comparison
Does a film remain rigid or become viscoelastic during cycling?
Mass and viscoelastic interpretation
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the tool
The method, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to decide.
Frequency-charge tracking
How much mass is gained or lost during an electrochemical event?
- Best used when
- How much mass is gained or lost during an electrochemical event?
- Typical result
- Frequency and electrochemical traces
- Preparation note
- Declare biological hazards and confirm fixation, dehydration, temperature and disposal requirements.
Potential-cycle comparison
Is the mass-to-charge ratio consistent with the proposed reaction?
- Best used when
- Is the mass-to-charge ratio consistent with the proposed reaction?
- Typical result
- Apparent mass change
- Preparation note
- Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates.
Mass and viscoelastic interpretation
Does a film remain rigid or become viscoelastic during cycling?
- Best used when
- Does a film remain rigid or become viscoelastic during cycling?
- Typical result
- Mass-per-charge relationship
- Preparation note
- Confirm power, connections, operating state, access restrictions and permitted disassembly.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
Frequency and electrochemical traces reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Apparent mass change supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Mass-per-charge relationship provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Cycle-to-cycle retention included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Sample requirements
What to provide before work begins
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the decision, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Biological / soft material | Provide fixed, preserved or otherwise stabilised material in the agreed container and medium. | Declare biological hazards and confirm fixation, dehydration, temperature and disposal requirements. |
| Test coupon / specimen | Provide labelled specimens prepared to the agreed geometry, orientation and surface condition. | Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates. |
| Device / assembly | Provide a complete labelled device or assembly with drawings, interfaces and operating limits. | Confirm power, connections, operating state, access restrictions and permitted disassembly. |
Objective: state the decision, comparison or acceptance criterion the work must support.
Handling and access: declare hazards, instability, confidentiality, file constraints or special logistics before dispatch or transfer.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope, timing or interpretation.
Can any powder be measured directly?
No. The active material must be attached to a compatible quartz sensor with stable acoustic coupling.
What is the typical turnaround?
Typical turnaround is 9 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope EQCM correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Required comparison, acceptance criterion or reference
- Preferred output and reporting depth