TCNJ Chemistry Instrumentation

Operating Instructions

Shimadzu UV 1201

1. Make sure the unit is plugged in.

2. Turn on the unit (switch is on the back of the instrument on the right side).

3. Flip up the display screen on the front of the instrument.

4. Instrument will go through a series of diagnostics. "Multi-Cell Org." diagnostic will fail. Proceed to the next step.

5. Allow the UV source to warm up for a few minutes in order for the lamp energy to stabilize.

6. Press the number 1 on the keypad to select "Photometric Measurement".

7. Press the GOTO λ button. A cursor will appear at the bottom of the display screen.

8. Enter the desired wavelength using the numeric keys. Press Enter. The wavelength will appear in the center of the display. (If the wavelength is entered incorrectly, repeat steps 7-8.)

9. Press the F1 button to toggle between absorbance and % transmittance modes. Abs or % will appear on the display.

10. Fill a plastic cuvette (for aqueous solutions) or quartz cuvette (for organic solutions) about 50% full with solvent. This is the blank solution.

11. Place the blank solution in the sample compartment. The cuvette will not go down that far. Do not push down very hard on the cuvette.

12. Make sure the sample compartment door is closed.

13. Press the AUTO ZERO button to "zero" the spectrophotometer.

14. Remove the blank solution.

15. Fill another plastic or quartz cuvette with sample solution.

16. Place the sample solution in the sample compartment.

17. Make sure the door is closed.

18. The reading will appear in the center of the display.

19. Repeat steps 15-18 for additional sample readings.

20. Turn off the unit (switch is on the back of the instrument on the right side).

21. Flip down the display screen on the front of the instrument.