Combined electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and probe beam deflection (PBD): validation of the technique by a study of silver ion mass transport

Abstract

Abstract A quantitative combined electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and probe beam deflection (PBD) analysis of the Ag+/Ago deposition/dissolution redox process in aqueous perchloric acid solution was achieved by comparing the cyclic -voltammetric, -gravimetric and -beam deflection responses. The recorded current and mass variation signals were superimposed upon the beam deflection profile by using the mathematical tool of quantitative convolution. The good correlation between the coulometric, gravimetric and optical signals, displayed in either differential or integral form, highlights the complementary nature of the responses from the combined instrument and demonstrates how current, mass and beam deflection represent a single electrochemical process.