An Elevated-Temperature Nanobalance Based on Piezoelectric Shear Mode Resonators (quartz, gallium phosphate, and langasite)

The work proposed will provide a demonstration of feasibility and specific design recommendations for building an elevated-temperature resonating crystal balance with nanogram sensitivity. The approach will build upon existing technology commercialized by Masscal for operating a QCM in a temperature-controlled calorimeter. Precise temperature control and new types of crystal sensors will be used to greatly extend the temperature range of operation, reduce measurement errors at higher temperatures, and increase practical usability of the final product. In Phase I, we will (1) demonstrate current capability in gases under 100°C; (2) extend the capability to include aqueous solutions up to 85°C (3) fabricate new candidate crystal sensors from quartz, gallium phosphate and langasite for operation up to 250°C and then further to 600°C; (4) design and assemble a breadboard instrument and use it to perform preliminary testing of new sensors; (5) develop specific recommendations for a high-temperature instrument up to 600°C; and (6) demonstrate capabilities by measuring oxidation in a nanostructured thin film from NIST up to 250°C.