V Foil for Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) Applications

Overview

V Foil for Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) Applications is a high-purity vanadium metal foil engineered for use as an electrode material, sputtering target substrate, or sensing layer in gravimetric and electrochemical QCM systems. Vanadium (V), with its face-centered cubic crystal structure, high melting point (1919 ± 2 °C), and density of 6.11 g/cm³, provides exceptional thermal stability and mechanical integrity under vacuum and controlled-atmosphere deposition environments. Its intrinsic electrochemical activity—particularly in redox couples involving V²⁺/V³⁺ and V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺—makes it suitable for in situ mass-sensitive monitoring of ion intercalation, thin-film growth, and surface adsorption processes. This foil is not a standalone instrument but a critical consumable component integrated into QCM-based analytical platforms used in materials science research, battery interface studies, corrosion monitoring, and functional coating development.

Key Features

• High-purity vanadium (99.95%, 3N5) with trace impurity control—especially low oxygen (<50 ppm), nitrogen (<30 ppm), and hydrogen (<5 ppm)—ensuring minimal interference in sensitive mass-change detection.
• Precision thickness tolerance of ±0.01 mm at nominal 0.25 mm, enabling consistent acoustic coupling and predictable Sauerbrey mass sensitivity in QCM resonators operating at fundamental frequencies of 5–10 MHz.
• Optimized surface finish: double-rolled and annealed to achieve uniform grain structure and low surface roughness (Ra < 0.15 µm), minimizing scattering losses and enhancing reproducibility in frequency shift measurements.
• Cleanroom-compatible handling: processed, inspected, and packaged in ISO Class 5 (Class 100) laminar flow hoods; final packaging consists of vacuum-sealed polyethylene-aluminum laminate bags certified for particulate retention ≤0.3 µm.
• Customizable geometry: available in standard 100 × 50 mm sheets or cut-to-size per customer specifications—including circular discs (Ø12–25 mm), strips, or patterned electrodes—without compromising metallurgical homogeneity.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

This V foil is compatible with standard AT-cut quartz crystals (5–20 MHz) and supports both conductive and non-conductive mounting configurations. It adheres to ASTM F1147–22 (Standard Specification for High-Purity Metals for Use in Semiconductor and Thin-Film Applications) for elemental composition and particulate cleanliness. While not certified to ISO 13485 or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (as it is a passive material, not a regulated device), its manufacturing documentation—including CoA (Certificate of Analysis), traceable lot numbers, and cleanroom environmental logs—is provided upon request to support GLP-compliant experimental reporting and audit readiness in academic and industrial R&D settings.

Software & Data Management

As a physical consumable, the V foil itself does not include embedded firmware or software interfaces. However, it is fully interoperable with industry-standard QCM data acquisition systems—including those from Stanford Research Systems (SR830 lock-in + QCM200 controller), Gamry Instruments (Reference 600+ with QCM add-on), and custom LabVIEW- or Python-based DAQ platforms. When used with frequency-tracking algorithms (e.g., zero-crossing detection or phase-locked loop analysis), the foil enables high-resolution Δf (frequency shift) and ΔD (dissipation change) time-series logging. Raw mass loading data derived from Sauerbrey or Voigt-model fitting can be exported in CSV or HDF5 format for integration into LIMS or ELN systems compliant with ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available).

Applications

• Electrochemical QCM (EQCM) studies of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) electrolyte interactions at electrode interfaces.
• In situ monitoring of vanadium oxide (V₂O₅, VO₂) thin-film growth via reactive sputtering or atomic layer deposition (ALD).
• Surface stress analysis during hydrogen absorption/desorption cycles—leveraging vanadium’s high H-solubility and reversible hydride formation.
• Model system for studying metal–organic framework (MOF) nucleation kinetics on transition-metal substrates under humidified or solvent-vapor environments.
• Reference material for calibration of mass sensitivity in multi-frequency QCM-D (quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring) systems.

FAQ

Is this V foil compatible with gold-coated QCM crystals?
Yes—vanadium forms stable ohmic contacts with Au electrodes when deposited via thermal evaporation or sputtering; interfacial adhesion is enhanced by brief Ar plasma pre-treatment.
Can I use this foil directly as a working electrode in aqueous electrolytes?
It is not recommended for prolonged immersion in acidic or alkaline aqueous solutions without prior passivation or encapsulation, due to surface oxidation above pH 3; use in non-aqueous Li-ion or VRFB electrolytes is validated.
Do you provide spectral purity verification (e.g., GDMS or ICP-MS data)?
Upon order confirmation, we supply full GDMS-certified impurity profiles for each production lot, including quantification of Fe, Cr, Ni, Mo, and residual C/O/N/H.
What is the shelf life under recommended storage conditions?
When kept sealed under inert gas (Ar or N₂) at room temperature and protected from light and humidity, shelf life exceeds 24 months without measurable surface oxidation.
Are custom purity grades (e.g., 4N or 5N) available?
Yes—custom orders for 99.99% (4N) and 99.999% (5N) vanadium foil are supported with lead times of 8–12 weeks and additional analytical validation.