# Electrochemistry module for Q-1

> Source page: https://openqcm.com/about-openqcm-eqcm-q1
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_Module · EQCM · for openQCM Q-1_

The electrochemistry module turns the openQCM Q-1 into an EQCM: the gold electrode of the crystal becomes the working electrode of your potentiostat. Every coulomb that flows and every nanogram that lands are measured on the same surface, at the same time.

## Key figures

- ~15 ml: cell volume
- 2 × 6.2 mm: ports for RE and CE
- ~90 g: weight
- 6 × 7 × 6 cm: size

## One surface: Two measurements, one electrode.

The larger gold electrode of the 14 mm crystal faces the electrolyte and connects, through a 2 mm banana socket, to the working-electrode lead of your potentiostat. Reference and counter electrodes enter through the PTFE cover. The Q-1 keeps measuring frequency and dissipation, one overtone at a time, while the potentiostat runs the electrochemistry; QCM and electrochemical circuits stay electrically isolated.

## Bring your potentiostat: The module measures mass; your potentiostat does the rest.

The module contains no potentiostat: it is designed to work with most commercial ones. Cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and impedance spectroscopy run on the potentiostat, while the QCM follows the mass on the electrode.

## The cell: Five parts, one seal at a time.

A PTFE reservoir with three wings at 120° that stop it from rotating; a transparent quartz cylinder you can look through; a bayonet fixing ring; a PTFE cover with two 6.2 mm ports for reference and counter electrodes, two small auxiliary ports for filling and flow, and adapters for 4 and 6 mm probes. FKM (Viton) O-rings seal reservoir and cylinder.

## Rule of the cell: Fill it up to the ports.

Fill the cell completely, up to the electrode ports: a free air–liquid surface adds noise to the baseline, and so do bubbles, evaporation and changes of temperature. Degassed electrolyte, slow filling and a slight positive pressure help.

## Care: No acetone, ever.

Clean the PTFE parts and the quartz cylinder with deionized water or a mild detergent, isopropyl alcohol for stubborn residues; an ultrasonic bath in IPA, two 5-minute cycles, is an option. Never acetone or aggressive organic solvents. Handle the quartz cylinder with gloves and safety glasses.

## Applications

- Energy storage: ion insertion and extraction, supercapacitors
- Corrosion: rates and inhibitors, in situ
- Biosensors: label-free immunosensors, protein–surface interactions
- Electroactive materials: growth of conducting polymers
- Surface modification: self-assembled monolayers, layer-by-layer films
- Electrodeposition, and impedance studies combined with QCM-D

## Specifications

### Cell

- **Volume:** ~15 ml
- **Materials:** PTFE reservoir and cover, quartz cylinder, FKM (Viton) O-rings, anodized aluminium sensor holder, PLA case
- **Ports:** 2 × 6.2 mm (RE, CE) + 2 auxiliary; adapters for 4 and 6 mm probes
- **Size:** 6 × 7 × 6 cm
- **Weight:** ~90 g

### Electrochemistry

- **Working electrode:** Larger gold electrode of the crystal, 2 mm banana socket
- **Potentiostat:** External, most commercial models (CV, CA, EIS)
- **Crystals:** 5 and 10 MHz, 14 mm, wrapped electrode

### Compatibility

- **Instrument:** openQCM Q-1: replaces the standard sensor module on the same mounting
- **Connection:** USB 3 connectors to the Q-1 central unit only, never to a PC

## Related pages

- [openQCM Q-1](https://openqcm.com/about-openqcm-q-1/)
- [Electrochemistry module for NEXT](https://openqcm.com/about-openqcm-eqcm-next/)

## Buy or ask

- Store: https://store.openqcm.com/
- Contact: https://openqcm.com/contacts/

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openQCM by Novaetech S.r.l., Pompeii, Italy · Buy: https://store.openqcm.com/ · Contact: info@openqcm.com · https://openqcm.com/contacts/