UV spectrophotometry is an analytical technique used to measure the absorbance of ultraviolet (UV) light by a sample, typically within the wavelength range of 200–400 nm. It is widely applied in chemistry, biology, and material sciences to study the concentration and properties of substances. https://www.berthold.com website here for more UV spectrophotomet
Principles of UV Spectrophotometry
Absorbance: Molecules absorb UV light at specific wavelengths due to electronic transitions (e.g., π → π*, n → π*).
Beer-Lambert Law: Relates absorbance (
𝐴
A) to concentration (
𝑐
c), path length (
𝑙
l), and molar absorptivity (
Wavelength Selection: The absorbance is measured at a wavelength where the sample absorbs light maximally (λ_max).
Key Components of a UV Spectrophotometer
Light Source:
Deuterium lamp (for UV range, 200–400 nm).
Tungsten-halogen lamp (for visible range, 400–700 nm).
Monochromator:
Separates light into its component wavelengths using diffraction grating or filters.
Sample Holder:
Cuvettes made of quartz (transparent to UV light) or plastic for visible light.
Detector:
Measures the intensity of transmitted light and converts it into an electrical signal.
Display/Software:
Outputs absorbance or transmittance and calculates concentrati