Absolute measurements of photoluminescence quantum yields of solutions using an integrating sphere

We demonstrate that absolute measurements of the photoluminescence quantum yield of solutions can be made using an integrating sphere and a conventional fluorimeter. With this method the need for measurements against a luminescence standard is overcome. The sphere is mounted inside a commercial fluorimeter, which gives flexibility in excitation and emission wavelength ranges. A number of compounds have been investigated and the results are compared to literature values and data obtained using a comparative method.