Application Spectrophotometric Analysis

News
Example of Reflectance Measurement Using
Integrating Sphere: Difference of Spectra
No. A639 Depending on White Reference Plate
An integrating sphere is generally used in measurements of
the reflectance of samples which display scattering or diffuse
reflectance, such as solids and cloudy liquids. An integrating
sphere is spherical in shape with an inner wall made of
barium sulfate or some other light-scattering material with
high reflectance, and has the effect of causing light that
enters the sphere (measurement light) to scatter uniformly.
This enables highly accurate detection of transmitted light or Fluoropolymer
reflected light from the sample, even when measuring BaSO4 MgO
white reference
samples with scattering properties. plate
Because the reflectance of samples obtained by Fig. 1 White Reference Plates
measurements using an integrating sphere is a relative
reflectance value obtained by comparison with the white
reference plate as a standard, the obtained value depends on Table 1 Measurement Conditions
the reflectance of the white reference plate. Therefore, the Instruments : UV-3600i Plus, ISR-603
measured reflectance of a sample may change if a different Measurement mode : Reflectance
white reference plate is used, or if the reflectance of the white Measurement wavelength range : 250 - 2500 nm
reference plate changes due to deterioration, even when Scan speed : Medium
using the same plate. Sampling pitch : 1.0 nm
Slit width : (20) nm
Although pressed and solidified barium sulfate (BaSO4) is
Light source switching wavelength : 310 nm
generally used in white reference plates, other substances are
Detector switching wavelength : 830 nm, 1650 nm
also used, including aluminum oxide (alumina, Al2O3) and
magnesium oxide (MgO) powders or a fluoropolymer white
reference plate with a specified reflectance. 110.00

This article introduces an example in which the reflection 100.00

spectra of various samples were measured using a UV-3600i
Reflectance (%)

Plus ultraviolet-visible light-near infrared (UV-VIS-NIR)

spectrophotometer and ISR-603 integrating sphere 80.00
attachment in order to verify the effect on sample ʊ BaSO4
measurements in case barium sulfate and magnesium oxide
ʊ MgO
powder reagents and a fluoropolymer white reference plate
60.00
are used in the white reference plate.
A. Goto 50.00
250.00 500.00 1000.00 1500.00 2000.00 2500.00
Wavelength (nm)

Fig. 2 Relative Reflectance Spectra of Samples

„ Difference in Reflectance of White Reference
Plates
BaSO4 and MgO powder reagents were filled in powder
sample holders, as shown in Fig. 1. White reference plates
made of these powder reagents are inexpensive and can be
replaced if soiled, but their reflectance may differ depending
on the filling method. On the other hand, fluoropolymer
white reference plates are expensive but have the merits of
displaying uniform reflectance except when soiled and
higher reflectance than other white reference plates,
particularly in the near-infrared region. (When a
fluoropolymer white reference plate is soiled, it is necessary
to repolish the plate or purchase a new plate.) Details may be
found in UV Talk Letter Vol. 12. In this article, the reflectance
of BaSO4 and MgO was measured using a fluoropolymer
white reference plate as a standard in order to compare the
reflectance characteristics of the respective white reference
plates (Fig. 2). Table 1 shows the measurement conditions.
(White Reference Plate: Fluoropolymer White Reference Plate)
Although both BaSO4 and MgO have reflectance of no less
than 90 % in the visible light region, their reflectance is low in
the near-infrared region, and peaks of absorbance (encircled
by the broken lines) were observed in the vicinities of
1,500 nm and 2,000 nm. The absorbance at these peaks
originates from the moisture contained in the BaSO4 and
MgO. Thus, it can be understood that BaSO4 and MgO have
lower reflectance in the near-infrared region in comparison
with the fluoropolymer white reference plate, and the white
reference plate itself displays absorbance when these
compounds are used.
Application No. A639
News

„ Effect of White Reference Plates in
Reflectance Measurements
Fig. 3 shows the nonwoven fabric, paper, and ceramic
material used as samples. The measurement conditions were
the same as those in Table 1. Relative total reflectance
measurements of these samples were carried out using
BaSO4, MgO, and a fluoropolymer white reference plate as the
white reference plates, and the spectra were compared, as
shown in Fig. 4.
Nonwoven fabric Paper
From Fig. 4, it can be understood that the spectra differ
depending on the white reference plate used, particularly in
the near-infrared region. Furthermore, the spectra when
BaSO4 (red line) and MgO (blue line) were used in the white
reference plate were remarkably different in the vicinities of
1,500 nm and 2,000 nm, as indicated by the red arrows, due
to the effect of the absorbance of moisture contained in the
BaSO4 and MgO of the white reference plate itself. In relative
reflectance measurements, the absorbance of the white
reference plate used in the baseline measurement has a
Ceramic direct effect on the measured value of the sample, as
illustrated in Fig. 5.
Baseline measurement Sample measurement
Incident light Incident light

White reference plate

White reference plate

Fig. 3 Measured Nonwoven Fabric, Paper,
and Ceramic

White reference plate Sample

60.00

The absorbance of the white reference plate directly affects the measured value.
Reflectance (%)

40.00 Fig. 5 Relative Total Reflectance Measurement

ʊFluoropolymer white reference plate

On the other hand, because measurements can be
20.00 ʊBaSO4 conducted with a fluoropolymer white reference plate
ʊMgO Nonwoven fabric
without the effect of moisture described above, use of a
fluoropolymer white reference plate is recommended for
0.00 near-infrared measurements of diffuse samples.
250.00 500.00 1000.00 1500.00 2000.00 2500.00
Wavelength (nm)

60.00
„ Conclusion
50.00
In this article, the effect on sample measurements in case
BaSO4 and MgO powder reagents and a fluoropolymer white
Reflectance (%)

40.00
reference plate are used as the white reference plate of an
integrating sphere was verified. From the measurement
ʊFluoropolymer white reference plate results, it was found that the obtained spectra differ
30.00
ʊBaSO4 depending on the white reference plate used, particularly in
20.00 ʊMgO the near-infrared region. Although BaSO4 and MgO are
Paper comparatively inexpensive and are widely used, it is
10.00 necessary to consider the effect of the moisture contained in
250.00 500.00 1000.00 1500.00 2000.00 2500.00 these substances on the measured values in the near-infrared
Wavelength (nm) region. On the other hand, the results confirmed that a
fluoropolymer white reference plate enables measurements
130.00 unaffected by moisture, even in the near-infrared region.

100.00
Reflectance (%)

ʊFluoropolymer white reference plate

50.00
ʊBaSO4
ʊMgO Ceramic

0.00
250.00 500.00 1000.00 1500.00 2000.00 2500.00
Wavelength (nm)

Fig. 4 Relative Total Reflectance Spectra of Samples

First Edition: Jan. 2021

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

This publication may contain references to products that are not available in your country. Please contact us to check the availability of these
products in your country.

The content of this publication shall not be reproduced, altered or sold for any commercial purpose without the written approval of Shimadzu.
Shimadzu disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names used in this publication other than its own.
See http://www.shimadzu.com/about/trademarks/index.html for details.

www.shimadzu.com/an/ The information contained herein is provided to you "as is" without warranty of any kind including without limitation warranties as to its
accuracy or completeness. Shimadzu does not assume any responsibility or liability for any damage, whether direct or indirect, relating to the
use of this publication. This publication is based upon the information available to Shimadzu on or before the date of publication, and subject
to change without notice.
© Shimadzu Corporation, 2021