The safe usage tips for UV spectrophotometers are as follows:

1、 Preparation before operation: Environmental and equipment inspection

1. Environmental control

Temperature and humidity: Keep the laboratory temperature between 20-25 ℃ and humidity ≤ 60%. Temperature fluctuations can cause thermal expansion and contraction of optical components, and high humidity can easily lead to mold growth, affecting the stability of the optical path.

Dustproof and shockproof: Close doors and windows to prevent dust from entering, place the instrument on a stable table, away from vibration sources such as centrifuges and fume hoods.

2. Equipment inspection

Power and grounding: Use a regulated power supply to ensure good grounding and avoid voltage fluctuations or static electricity damaging the circuit.

Compatibility of the colorimetric dish: Select the colorimetric dish based on the measurement wavelength:

Ultraviolet region: Quartz cuvette must be used (with high transparency and corrosion resistance).

Visible light region: Glass colorimetric dishes can be used (low cost, but strong absorption in the ultraviolet region).

Cleaning of colorimetric dish: Rinse with anhydrous ethanol and let it dry naturally to avoid fingerprints or scratches (grease can scatter light, scratches can cause optical path errors).

2、 UV spectrophotometer operation process: standardized steps to avoid errors

1. Power on preheating

Turn on the instrument power and preheat for 30 minutes (key step! Insufficient preheating can cause data drift).

Open the computer and supporting software, and check if the instrument self-test has passed.

2. Parameter settings

Measurement mode: Select "absorbance (Abs)", "transmittance (T%)" or "energy" according to the requirements.

3. Wavelength selection:

Quantitative analysis: Set the target wavelength.

Full spectrum scanning: Set the starting wavelength and ending wavelength.

Slit width: For routine analysis, choose 2nm (balance resolution and sensitivity), and non professionals should not adjust it arbitrarily.

4. Blank correction

Add a blank solution that is consistent with the substrate of the sample to be tested (if the sample contains salt, an equal amount of salt should be added) to avoid background absorption interference.

Place the blank colorimetric dish into the sample pool and click "Auto Zero" or "Baseline" to perform baseline calibration (at least once a day).

5. Sample measurement

Liquid volume: The liquid volume is 3/4 of the height of the colorimetric dish (to avoid overflow or bubbles).

Placement direction: The marking on the transparent surface of the colorimetric dish (such as the arrow) should be consistent with the direction of the light path to prevent optical path errors.

Data reading: Click "Read" to obtain absorbance values, or start scanning to obtain spectral curves.

3、 Safety precautions for UV spectrophotometers: Avoiding risks and extending lifespan

1. Light source protection

Shutdown sequence: First turn off the tungsten lamp (slow cooling), then turn off the deuterium lamp (to avoid sudden cooling and breakage of the filament).

Avoid direct eye contact with light sources: Deuterium lamps emit ultraviolet light, direct eye contact may damage the eyes.

2. Liquid protection

Anti overflow: Handle the colorimetric dish gently during operation to prevent liquid from spilling into the interior of the instrument (corroding the circuit).

Cleaning treatment: If liquid spills, immediately wipe it with a dry cloth and check if the sample tank is dry.

3. Colorimetric dish management

Specialized: Use different colorimetric dishes for different samples to avoid cross contamination (such as easy adsorption of protein samples).

4. Cleaning method:

Wash with water → wash with alcohol → rinse with acetone (remove stubborn stains).

Avoid violent wiping (such as directly wiping the translucent surface with a tissue).

5. Data backup

Regularly export data to a USB flash drive or computer to avoid data loss caused by full storage.