Inexpensive Method for Creating Robust Barium Sulfate Plates for Use in a UV–Vis Integrating Sphere

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Expensive, highly reflective barium sulfate plates are typically used to obtain solid-state UV–vis electronic spectra. Through normal laboratory use these plates become dirty, chip, and break, thus requiring replacement. An alternative to purchasing new plates is to make your own by combining a mechanical stabilizer, such as gum arabic, with barium sulfate, and using a common laboratory hydraulic press, quickly forming a plate for a fraction of the cost of purchasing new plates.