Miniaturized cell and flow reactor for QCM-D measurements on fluids and soft matter

Thin soft matter films are frequently used in many technical applications, where phenomena taking place in the interfacial regions, control film properties and functionality. In order to optimize the latter there is a clear need of methods and tools for probing diverse physical properties of thin soft matter films confined in a nano-sized region. The latter implies a requirement to control the interfacial properties by a proper choice of surface treatment (chemical or/and physical). It is difficult to control thin soft matter films or liquids, confined in a small volume, because of ubiquitous processes like evaporation, wetting/dewetting and interfacial anchoring, etc. The aim of the present work was to develop an experimental platform for overcoming these obstacles in a sensing context.