What is the maximum absorption wavelength?
In fields such as chemistry, physics and biology,Maximum absorption wavelength(λmax) is an important concept. It refers to the wavelength at which a certain substance absorbs light with the greatest intensity in the absorption spectrum. This parameter is widely used in spectrophotometry, pharmaceutical analysis, environmental monitoring and other fields. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide a detailed analysis of the definition, application and related data of the maximum absorption wavelength.
1. Definition and principle of maximum absorption wavelength

The maximum absorption wavelength refers to the maximum absorption of light by a substance at a specific wavelength. This phenomenon is usually measured with an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis). When light passes through a sample, certain wavelengths of light are absorbed while other wavelengths of light are transmitted. The peak of the absorption spectrum is the maximum absorption wavelength.
The following is the maximum absorption wavelength data of several common substances:
| matter | Maximum absorption wavelength (nm) | Application areas |
|---|---|---|
| hemoglobin | 415 | medical diagnosis |
| Chlorophyll a | 430, 662 | plant physiology |
| caffeine | 273 | Food testing |
2. Application of maximum absorption wavelength
1.drug analysis: In the pharmaceutical industry, the wavelength of maximum absorption is used to determine the purity and concentration of drugs. For example, the lambda of antibiotic drugsmaxOften used for quality control.
2.Environmental monitoring: The maximum absorption wavelength of certain pollutants (such as benzene series) can be used for rapid detection of water quality or air pollution.
3.biological research: The maximum absorption wavelength of biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids is an important parameter for studying their structure and function.
The following are application cases related to maximum absorption wavelength in recent hot topics:
| hot topics | Related substances | Maximum absorption wavelength (nm) |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 testing | nucleic acid | 260 |
| Carbon Neutrality Research | carbon dioxide | 200-300 (far ultraviolet) |
| Development of new sunscreen agents | zinc oxide | 370 |
3. Factors affecting the maximum absorption wavelength
1.solvent effect: The maximum absorption wavelength of the same substance in different solvents may be different. For example, the λ of phenol in water and ethanolmaxThe difference can be up to 10nm.
2.pH value: The maximum absorption wavelength of some substances (such as indicators) changes with changes in pH.
3.temperature: High temperature may cause the absorption peak to shift or broaden.
Recent studies have shown that the maximum absorption wavelength of nanomaterials is also closely related to their particle size:
| nanomaterials | Particle size (nm) | Maximum absorption wavelength range (nm) |
|---|---|---|
| gold nanoparticles | 10-100 | 520-580 |
| quantum dots | 2-10 | 400-700 (adjustable) |
4. Measurement method of maximum absorption wavelength
1.UV-visible spectrophotometry: The most commonly used method, which can accurately measure the absorption peak in the range of 200-800nm.
2.Fluorescence spectroscopy: Suitable for certain substances with fluorescent properties.
3.Infrared spectroscopy: Used to measure the absorption wavelength corresponding to the molecular vibration energy level.
According to recent scientific and technological hot spots, new detection technologies are constantly emerging:
| new technology | Detection range | Improved accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| ultrafast spectroscopy | Femtosecond level dynamics | Temporal resolution improved 100 times |
| Raman enhanced spectroscopy | single molecule level | Sensitivity increased by 106times |
5. Summary and Outlook
As an important optical property of matter, the maximum absorption wavelength plays an irreplaceable role in scientific research and industry. With the rapid development of nanotechnology, biomedicine and other fields, themaxThe precise measurement and application have put forward higher requirements. In the future, artificial intelligence-assisted spectral analysis and portable detection equipment will become research hotspots.
This article demonstrates the core knowledge of maximum absorption wavelength through structured data, and illustrates its practical application value based on recent hot topics. Understanding this concept will help us better grasp the technological development trends in related fields.
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