Calibration of Quartz Tuning Fork transducer by coulometry for mass sensitive sensor studies

Abstract

Mass-sensitive sensing has one main advantage: mass is one of the most fundamental properties of any analyte. They also require suitable recognition materials to ensure selectivity. Quartz Tuning Forks (QTFs) have been known as common oscillator components due to their stable resonant frequencies. In recent years, QTFs have started to be implemented as transducers into sensor systems which has the potential on resulting mass-sensitive sensors with high reliability. In this study, a developed QTF mass-sensitive sensor system has been utilized for applying calculations and finally formulizing the frequency to mass-load relationship for the standard 32,768 Hz QTF. Coulometric copper deposition method was used for a reliable mass-load that could be calculated consequently from the charge reduction measured through the potentiostat. Frequency changes were calculated through the measurements read on the QTF sensor system described. SEM imaging and SEM-EDX element analysis methods were used to assay and confirm the modification performed on the surface.