Book excerpt: Chemical Analysis and Material Characterization by Spectrophotometry integrates and presents the latest known information and examples from the most up-to-date literature on the use of this method for chemical analysis or materials characterization. Accessible to various levels of expertise, everyone from students, to practicing analytical and industrial chemists, the book covers both the fundamentals of spectrophotometry and instrumental procedures for quantitative analysis with spectrophotometric techniques. It contains a wealth of examples and focuses on the latest research, such as the investigation of optical properties of nanomaterials and thin solid films. - Covers the basic analytical theory that is essential for understanding spectrophotometry - Emphasizes minor/trace chemical component analysis - Includes the spectrophotometric analysis of nanomaterials and thin solid films - Thoroughly describes methods and uses easy-to-follow, practical examples and experiments