Cuvettes are used to hold solutions for use in spectrometers. UV-vis cuvettes have two clear sides which need to be aligned for the instrument beam to pass through the sample. Cuvettes for fluorescence have four clear sides and are only available in macro format. Cuvettes are available in a range of materials, including Brand UV plastic (preferred), PMMA, PS and Quartz (very expensive). The varying materials have different wavelength ranges, which are governed by the absorbance properties of the material. Information on the various cuvette types is provided below, along with UV-vis spectra for each cuvette material. Copies of the spectra can be obtained from the Teaching Labs Filestore.

Cuvette volumes

Multiple designs of cuvettes are available for UV-vis, with varying volumes. All of the cuvettes have a 1 cm pathlength. Chemistry Teaching Labs only routinely stock macro cuvettes, but it may be possible for other types to be ordered in for specific projects.

Brand UV Cuvettes

The main cuvettes used within teaching labs are Brand-UV cuvettes which are robust plastic cuvettes offering a wide wavelength range and good solvent compatibility.

Specifications

Solvent Compatibility

Quartz Cuvettes

A small number of matched pair quartz cuvettes are kept for specialist use. These are easily damaged and very expensive and should only be used where absolutely nescessary. Quartz cuvettes offer improved transmission at very low wavelengths (190 - 230 nm) and have greater solvent compatibility.

Specifications

Solvent Compatibility

Quartz cuvettes are able to be used with almost all solvents which might be encountered.

Polystyrene (PS)

Not routinely stocked, but can be ordered in for specific projects on request.

Specifications

Solvent Compatibility

Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) 

Not routinely stocked, but can be ordered in for specific projects on request.

Specifications

Solvent Compatibility