Analysis of crystallization and deposition process using electrochemical-quartz crystal microbalance: A review

Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) is a scientific instrument hinged on the piezoelectric effect of quartz crystals. Due to its versatile, reliable, and sensitive in-situ sensing ability for small quantity variations, QCM and Electrochemical-QCM (EQCM) techniques have already been applied to precise analysis and control of crystallization and electrodeposition process. The sudden shift from viscous friction to elastic friction during liquid/solid phase transition can be accurately reflected by a resonant frequency shift. Therefore, the complex frequency change measured by QCM or EQCM contains implicit information about the processes of crystallization and electrodeposition. In this review, QCM analysis methods during crystallizing or electrodepositing of different objects are classified and reviewed. The key factors including intermolecular forces, substrate geometries, additives, and types of solutions are discussed. The future applications of QCM in crystallization and electrodeposition were outlooked.