We have 3D-printed and tested a water heated cuvette for UV
visible spectroscopy, demonstrating that the 3D-printed cuvette
provides reproducible temperature dependent spectra when
compared to disposable cuvettes, quartz cuvettes and literature
studies. We constructed our cuvette from both ABS and PLA polymers
making versions with ‘windows’ made from optically transparent
polystyrene or quartz slides. The print reproducibility was
greater for the cuvette constructed from PLA but the lower glass
transition temperature of PLA (circa 65 C) means that PLA cuvettes
have a lower working range when compared to cuvettes made ABS
(glass transition temperature circa 105 C). PLA has different solvent
compatibility [24] to ABS and is thus better suited for
obtaining UV visible spectra in a range of organic solvents although
both cuvettes can be used for water-based studies.