Test Cell (50 mL) with Single Quartz Window for Fundamental Photoelectrochemistry (PEC) Research, CFPRTCSQW

A five-port round glass cell with a side illumination quartz window is a specialized "hybrid" reactor designed for photoelectrochemistry (PEC). By combining a robust borosilicate glass body with a precision-fused flat quartz window, this cell provides the structural benefits of a standard electrochemical cell while enabling high-fidelity optical access for solar simulators or lasers. This configuration is particularly popular for researchers who need to maintain a strictly deoxygenated or gas-saturated environment while ensuring that light reaches the photoelectrode without the distortion caused by curved glass.

The reasons for the hybrid cell design are: (1) Optical Precision (The Window): A flat quartz window eliminates the "lensing effect" of a curved glass wall, which would otherwise refract and focus light unevenly. This allows for an accurate calculation of the light intensity (mW/cm2) hitting the catalyst. (2) UV Transparency: High-purity quartz (usually JGS1) is transparent down to 200 nm}, whereas the glass body of the cell blocks UV light. This is critical for wide-bandgap semiconductors like TiO2. (3) Chemical/Thermal Stability (The Body): Borosilicate glass is more resistant to thermal shock and mechanical stress than square quartz cells, making it easier to use with heating mantles or water jackets.

The five-port configuration can be used to host the working, counter, and reference electrode, as well as gas inlet and outlet.