ERIC Number: EJ1460454
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Feb
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: EISSN-1938-1328
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Multipurpose DIY Spectrophotometer for Teaching Analytical Chemistry
Gina DelMonache; Pratahdeep Gogoi; Xiaoli Ge; Xingyu Wang; Rachel Snider; Owen Szeglowski; Timothy R. Cook; Ziyun Wang; Yuguang C. Li
Journal of Chemical Education, v102 n2 p852-856 2025
Spectroscopy is an integral part of chemical research, and the operation of any spectroscopic instrument is critical in chemical education. This study presents a low-cost, do-it-yourself (DIY) style spectrophotometer system that can be adapted for UV--vis spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, and atomic emission spectroscopy applications. The DIY system is constructed with commonly available hardware and 3D-printed parts, totaling less than $100 USD. Python code is also provided to process the color spectrum image into intensity vs wavelength data, similar to any commercial-level instrument. The functionality of the DIY spectrophotometer is demonstrated with the absorption of KMnO[subscript 4], fluorescence of fluorescein and atomic emission of LiCl, NaCl, BaCl[subscript 2], and SrCl[subscript 2]. All of the collected spectra show accurate results compared to a commercial instrument or existing literature. The goal of this project is to provide a hands-on platform for undergraduate students to see and modify the individual components of a spectrophotometer, which will enhance their understanding of the underlying principles.
Descriptors: Chemistry, Measurement Equipment, Light, College Science, Undergraduate Students, Hands on Science, Color
Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A