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Flow Raman Spectroscopy for the Detection and Identification of Small Microplastics
Summary
Researchers developed a new method using flow Raman spectroscopy to detect and identify individual microplastic particles as small as 4 micrometers while they move through water. Unlike current methods that require complex sample preparation, this technique could work in real time for monitoring food and drinking water quality. The method can distinguish between different plastic types even after they have been weathered by the environment.
The most commonly used methods for the detection and identification of small microplastics generally require a complex sample preparation procedure and only allow for static measurements. Quality control of food and drinking water therefore requires a lot of effort. Especially in view of the increasing amount of plastic waste in the environment, the rising public awareness of the issue and the indications for adverse effects of microplastics on human health, more sophisticated measuring methods are required. In this paper, we present a measuring setup for the detection and identification of microplastics using flow Raman spectroscopy. We demonstrate the ability to acquire Raman spectra of individual particles as small as about 4 µm, enabling the identification of their plastic type. We show measurements of differently generated and shaped particles and particles made of different plastic types, highlighting the observed challenges and differences. Finally, we show possible applications of the measuring method. We demonstrate that the measuring principle is suitable for detecting and identifying microplastic particles among other particles and that aged plastics can still be distinguished by their Raman spectra. Overall, our results show that flow Raman spectroscopy is a promising method that could significantly reduce the effort required to detect microplastics.
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