Drug Analysis using UV-Vis Spectroscopy
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Liliana Wilson, Parker Teff, Dylan Moessner
Presenter(s): Liliana Wilson
Mentors(s): Carlos Olivo-Delgado, Taylor Tomalinas
In forensic investigations, being able to identify unknown substances is crucial to solving drug-related cases. In this experiment, UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to determine the concentration of salicylic acid in an unknown powdered sample. A controlled amount of ferric nitrate (1.2 mL) was added to six different cuvettes with varying amounts (100-600 𝜇𝐿) of the salicylate ion provider. These solutions turned a purple color, which was nicely analyzed and quantified by the UV-Vis spectrometer. The absorbance of each standard was measured at a wavelength of 530 nm, and a calibration curve of absorbance versus salicylic acid concentration was constructed. The absorbance from the unknown sample was compared to the calibration curve, and a concentration was found. In this work, a simple yet reproducible method was developed for future use in the forensic chemistry lab.