(UV) Tips and Tricks - How should I measure the spectrum for a solution?

Two types of spectrophotometer construction are available. One is the single-beam type
with a single light beam in the sample compartment. The other is the double-beam type
that has two light beams in the sample compartment.
The measurement procedure using each type is explained below.

Single-beam type
1. Put the Blank solution in a cell and put the cell in the cell holder.
2. Conduct baseline correction.
3. Remove the cell and discard the solution. Rinse the cell twice with the measured
sample solution to be measured. Fill the cell with sample solution and mount it in the
cell holder.
4. Conduct the measurement. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the number of samples.

Double-beam type
1. Put the Blank solution into two cells. Mount the cells in the reference (R) and sample (S) cell
holders.
2. Conduct baseline correction.
3. Remove the sample (S) cell and discard the solution. Rinse the cell twice with the
measured sample solution to be measured. Fill the cell with sample solution and mount
it in the cell holder.
Leave the Blank filled cell at the reference (R) side unchanged.
4. Conduct the measurement. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the number of samples.

Notes

Allow sufficient time for the Spectrometer to stabilize after switching on.

Careful choice of cuvette and solvent can eliminate spectral artefacts and irregularities of results.

See additional helpful article below.

• (UV) Tips and Tricks - How soon can samples be measured after switching the UV-VIS spectrophotometer power ON?
• (UV) Tips and Tricks - Before You Create a Method