Ocean Optics Smart pH Cuvettes - Manual

SC-PH-VIS1M-SAM-01-1109 1
Smart pH Cuvettes Instructions
Overview
The Fiber Optic pH Sensor system consists of the following:
 Smart pH Cuvettes (1 cm x 1 cm PMMA or quartz) and/or patches
 Ocean Optics VIS-NIR spectrometer (or Jaz Sensor module)
 SpectraSuite software for reading values
 Light source (LS-1 Tungsten Halogen Light Source with a blue filter or a white LED)
 CUV-UV Cuvette Holder
 Connecting Fibers
Calibration requires recording spectra in high and low pH samples, as well as in at least one pH
standard solution (such as a NIST-traceable buffer).
The Smart pH Cuvettes use a sol gel sensing material coated onto the inner walls of a cuvette. The
immobilized indicator dye(s) are encapsulated into the sol gel matrix, allowing for the diffusion of
ions while preventing leaching of the dye. The cuvettes provide very accurate measurements in the
biological range, from pH 5 to 9. Advantages of these cuvettes over traditional potentiometric devices
include faster response time, easy storage and no maintenance, and low cost. These are especially
useful for monitoring low conductivity samples such as boiler water, where electrode devices fail.
Ocean Optics’ fully integrated pH systems provide full spectral analysis to help eliminate errors from
dye leaching or from changes in turbidity, temperature, and ionic strength. Inherent calibration based
on the physical properties of the immobilized indicator dye eliminates the need for frequent
calibration. The ratiometric algorithm provides accurate and reproducible measurements at a high
resolution.
Smart pH Cuvettes are 1 cm by 1 cm and are made of Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or quartz.
The PMMA material has a temperature range of -5 °C to 70 °C, while quartz is available for specific
applications such as high-temperature measurements. The cuvettes are compatible with aqueous
solutions, ethanol/methanol solutions, ammonia, peroxides, sodium hypochlorite solutions, while the
quartz cuvettes are also compatible with concentrated acids (nitric, sulfuric, acetic, etc) and acetone.
Although PMMA cuvettes are designed to be disposable, they can be used multiple times. The lifetime
depends on the extent of exposure to high pH levels and harsh chemicals. See
Cuvette
Storage/Lifetime for more information.