Which is the best technique for the quantitative analysis of microplastics/nanoplastics?

Question

Accurate quantitative analysis of microplastics/nanoplastics is a challenging task for researchers across the globe. To develop reliable analytical methods is crucial for assessing this emerging pollutant effectively.

Dr. Faheem · Answer

For conrehensiv quantitative analysis, py-GCMS, TED- GCMS & TOF are the best analytical techniques due to their higher sensitivity and accuracy in polymer quantification. Additionally TEM and SEM for size/morphology and mico-FTIR, micro- Raman for composition and functional group of polymer, where XRD for crystalline structure of polymer, and NMR for carbon skeleton in polymer. Combining these techniques can easily analys the microplastic and nanoplastic in environmental and biological samples.

AshrapovUlugbek · Answer

About 400 million tons of plastic are produced annually. At the same time, there is already plastic in landfills, the estimated volume of which is approximately 5 billion tons. Over time, it is absorbed and released into the environment, including in the form of microplastics.IR spectroscopy provides identification of polymer materials. IR spectroscopy shows fast and accurate results for identifying large, over 100 micrometer plastic particles. For microplastics up to several micrometers in size, IR microscopy is used. Microplastics are any plastic material larger than 1 micron and smaller than 5 millimeters. It may consist of cellulose fibers, polypropylene, polyester, PTFE and other substances.One person inhales approximately 53,700 microplastic particles from the air in 1 year.IR spectroscopy 
is used to identify polymer materials to determine large, more than 100 micrometers,plastic particles. For microplastics up to several micrometers in size, IR microscopy is used.

REYED REYED · Answer

The optimal method for quantitatively analyzing microplastics/nanoplastics relies on the size range, chemical makeup, and morphology of the particles under investigation. Typically utilized methods consist of:

Of course! Please provide the text you would like me to paraphrase. Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS)

Ideal for: Numerical evaluation of polymer categories

Benefits: Excellent sensitivity, enables determination of polymer composition.

Limitations: This method is destructive and fails to give particle size data.

It seems you did not provide any text to paraphrase. Please share the text you'd like me to rephrase, and I'll be happy to assist! Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) - ATR/μ-FTIR

Ideal for: Detecting and measuring microplastics (>10 µm)

Benefits: Non-invasive, able to identify polymer type

Constraints: Restricted resolution for nanoplastics, requires significant time

I'm sorry, but it seems you've not provided any text to paraphrase. Could you please share the specific text you'd like me to work on? Raman Spectroscopy

Ideal for: Describing both microplastics and nanoplastics

Benefits: High resolution (~1 µm for microplastics, <1 µm for nanoplastics), chemical identification.

Constraints: Fluorescence disturbance, extended analysis duration.

Sure! Please provide the text you'd like me to paraphrase. Thermal Extraction Desorption-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (TED-GC/MS)

Ideal for: Mass measurement of plastic materials in ecological samples

Benefits: Great sensitivity, ideal for intricate matrices

Constraints: Does not offer particle count or shape analysis.

Certainly! However, it appears that the text you provided is just a number ("5."). Please provide a longer text or specify the content you'd like me to paraphrase. Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS)

Ideal for: Nanoplastic analysis

Benefits: Offers comprehensive morphology and elemental makeup

Constraints: Necessitates high-vacuum environments, expensive equipment

To achieve precise and thorough quantification, researchers frequently employ a mix of methods, like μ-FTIR or Raman spectroscopy for identifying particles and Py-GC/MS for quantifying polymers.

Jennifer Lynch · Answer

There is no best or standardized method. The technique depends on the sample matrix, sample quantity, targeted plastic polymer and particle size. The sample collection, processing and finally analysis on an instrument is a workflow, not a single technique. The QAQC for minimizing background contamination and determining accuracy, precision and recovery is paramount. The most complicated and least standardized portion of the workflow is sampling processing.  You must extract the plastic particles away from the matrix to increase signal:noise. The instruments that offer advantageous consecutive complementary data on a single processed sample (for particles >30 um) are micro-FTIR, micro-Raman and pyrolysis-GC/MS.  Having all three of these instruments under one roof where multiple sample extraction, cleanup, and concentration apparatuses is rare and privileged. The field is very far from having a standardized workflow.

Douglas · Answer

The first method to identify micro plastics is a stereo microscope - identifies colour, size

FTIR - Identifies source, make

Pirolysis GC/MS - Quantifies

Alireza · Answer

Quantitative analysis of nano/microplastics (NPs/MPs) is performed using various techniques, depending on which sample matrix and what kind of sample we have. Each analysis technique has its pros and cons. The most common techniques are: 
1- FTIR
2- Raman 
3- Thermal Techniques like TGA and Pyrolysis-GC/MS
4- Thermal Extraction Desorption-GC/MS)
5- SEM
6- Mass spectrometric techniques.

caiocribeiro · Answer

Accurate quantitative analysis of microplastics and nanoplastics remains one of the most pressing analytical challenges in environmental science. No single technique currently provides a complete solution, particularly due to the complexity of matrices, diversity of polymer types, and the nanoscale dimensions involved. However, a hybrid analytical approach combining thermal, spectroscopic, and microscopic methods is widely regarded as the most robust strategy.

Among the available techniques, Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) stands out as one of the most powerful tools for quantitative analysis. This technique enables the chemical identification and quantification of polymer types down to nanogram levels, independent of particle shape or size. Its specificity and sensitivity make it especially valuable for complex samples such as sediments, biota, or wastewater.

For size-resolved quantification and particle characterization, µ-Raman and FTIR microspectroscopy remain gold standards, particularly when paired with automated imaging software. These techniques offer spatial resolution and chemical specificity, allowing for particle-by-particle analysis in the microplastic size range (typically >1 µm for Raman, >10 µm for FTIR).

When it comes to nanoplastics (<1 µm), emerging methods such as Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4) coupled with Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) or Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and mass spectrometry-based approaches like thermal desorption PTR-ToF-MS, are showing promise, though standardization and sensitivity still need improvement.

Ultimately, the best technique depends on the research question, matrix complexity, and size range of the plastics of interest. The most rigorous studies often combine multiple complementary techniques, integrating thermal degradation for polymer mass quantification with spectroscopic or microscopic methods for particle counting and size distribution.

Le Coustumer · Answer

The techniques listed are effectively the correct ones but you have to define a clear and efficient analytical strategy by asking some questions like: What I want to get: concentration, size, shape, cristallinity, nature, molecualr structure and texture, alteration degrees. So depending of parameters expected slect the different technics taht you ll applied. Then as usually the sample preparation have to be adpated to data requested. Then all these techniques need time and are not so easy to get reliable data. Good luck!

Manayesh Bantie · Answer

There is no single best technique, it depends on the particle size, matrix and research objectives.
Quantitative analysis of micro and nano plastics is challanging due to their small size, chemical diversity and environmental complexity

Which is the best technique for the quantitative analysis of microplastics/nanoplastics?

Jennifer Lynch

Manayesh Bantie

Douglas

AshrapovUlugbek

Le Coustumer

Alireza

Dr. Faheem

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Which is the best technique for the quantitative analysis of microplastics/nanoplastics?

Jennifer Lynch

Manayesh Bantie

Douglas

AshrapovUlugbek

Le Coustumer

Alireza

Dr. Faheem

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