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In Situ Micro/Nanoplastic Sensing Technologies: Optical, Electrochemical and Biosensor Approaches
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Tiny plastic particles are everywhere in our environment, and this review rounds up the latest tools scientists are building to detect them faster and more accurately—from light-based sensors to electronic and biology-based detectors. The big takeaway is that portable electrochemical devices (think small, sensor-based gadgets) currently show the most promise for real-world testing of water, food, or other samples on the spot. This matters because better detection tools are the first step toward understanding how much plastic we're actually exposed to and what it might mean for our health.
Micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) pollution has emerged as a global environmental and health concern, driving the rapid development of sensor technologies for faster, more sensitive, and field-deployable detection. This review synthesizes recent advances in optical, electrochemical, and biosensor platforms for MNP analysis and compares their analytical performance and practical feasibility. Optical sensors, including plasmonic, spectroscopic, and colorimetric systems, enable label-free and often rapid detection with material discrimination capability, and are well-suited for screening applications, though they commonly exhibit higher detection limits and matrix interference. Electrochemical sensors demonstrate the highest analytical sensitivity overall, frequently reaching low µg L−1 to ng mL−1 levels, with strong potential for miniaturization and on-site deployment; performance is further enhanced by nanostructured electrodes, photoelectrochemical designs, and signal amplification strategies. Biosensors incorporating peptides, aptamers, enzymes, or engineered proteins provide improved polymer selectivity and enable targeted detection, but face challenges related to stability, cross-reactivity, and reproducibility in complex samples. Practically, portable electrochemical and simple optical colorimetric platforms are currently the most feasible for field use, while hybrid bio-electrochemical systems show the highest performance potential. Future research should prioritize robust selective recognition elements, antifouling interfaces, standardized validation protocols, mixed-polymer quantification models, and integration with machine learning to enable reliable, real-world MNP monitoring.
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This review covers new sensing technologies, including electrochemical and optical biosensors, being developed to detect microplastics and nanoplastics more quickly and affordably than current lab methods. Better detection tools are essential because understanding how much plastic pollution exists in the environment and in our bodies is the first step toward addressing the health risks.
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This review examines emerging field-portable technologies for detecting and quantifying microplastics in aqueous environments, discussing optical, spectroscopic, and electrochemical sensing approaches. Researchers identify the lack of a standardized, rapid on-site method as the primary bottleneck limiting accurate real-world microplastic monitoring.
Electrochemical approaches for detecting micro and nano-plastics in different environmental matrices
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This review evaluates electrochemical sensor technologies as alternatives to conventional spectroscopy methods for detecting micro- and nanoplastics in environmental samples. Researchers found that electrochemical approaches offer advantages in cost, portability, and speed, making them better suited for widespread field monitoring. The study identifies key technical challenges that need to be resolved before these sensors can be broadly adopted for routine environmental surveillance.
Microplastic Detection and Quantification with Biosensing Techniques
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This review examines emerging biosensor technologies for detecting and quantifying microplastics in food and environmental samples, comparing electrochemical, optical, and biological sensing approaches as faster and cheaper alternatives to conventional spectroscopy. Improved detection methods are critical for understanding true human exposure levels and setting meaningful safety thresholds for microplastics in drinking water and food.
Towards the Development of Portable and In Situ Optical Devices for Detection of Micro-and Nanoplastics in Water: A Review on the Current Status
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This review surveys the development of portable and in-situ optical devices for detecting micro- and nanoplastics in water, as most current detection methods are laboratory-based. Researchers evaluated emerging technologies including portable Raman and infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence-based sensors, and smartphone-integrated detection systems. The study identifies key technical challenges that must be overcome to enable real-time, field-based monitoring of plastic pollution in water.
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