Rapid Estimation of Fragrance Vapor Pressure Using a Nanostructured Surface–Modified Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensor

Nanostructured oxide coatings play a critical role in determining molecular adsorption and desorption behavior on solid surfaces. In this study, we propose a rapid and simple method to estimate the apparent vapor pressure of fragrance compounds using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor modified with a nanostructured silica surface. Here, the term “apparent vapor pressure” refers to the vapor pressure values predicted from the QCM response characteristics, which correlate quantitatively with reference data obtained from conventional thermodynamic calculations. The QCM responses of various fragrances were analyzed in relation to the adsorption–desorption dynamics occurring at the nanostructured interface. We found a quantitative relationship between the sensor responses and the reference vapor pressure values, with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) ranging from 19.3% to 220% depending on the compound. This correlation enables rapid evaluation of vapor pressure-related behavior without relying on conventional vapor pressure measurement methods. The results suggest that the surface nanostructure influences the adsorption–desorption balance governed by vapor pressure. This approach provides a practical and efficient means of evaluating the apparent vapor pressure of volatile compounds on nanostructured materials, offering insights into interfacial phenomena relevant to materials science and applied nanosciences.