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A photoluminescence strategy for detection nanoplastics in water and biological imaging in cells and plants
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Researchers developed a fluorescent probe that can rapidly detect nanoplastics in water samples down to very low concentrations. The probe works by binding to nanoplastic surfaces through electrical and chemical interactions, which causes it to glow, enabling both detection and visual tracking in cells and plant tissues. This tool could help scientists better monitor nanoplastic contamination in water and understand how these tiny particles move through living organisms.
Nanoplastics exposure poses a significant threat to the environment and human health, and accurate measurement of nanoparticles in aqueous solutions remains challenging. In this work, we synthesized the cationic fluorescent probe 4-[1-Cyano- 2-[4-(Diethylamino)-2-hydroxyphenyl]ethenyl]-1-ethylpyridinium (PCP) through a straightforward procedure for the rapid and accurate detection and labeling of nanoplastics in aqueous solutions. PCP binds to nanoplastics through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions with restricted intramolecular rotation and exhibits enhanced fluorescence emission. Using carboxylation-modified polystyrene nanoplastics as a model, PCP could accurately detect concentrations as low as 0.525 mg∙L in aqueous solution and perform wash-free semi-quantitative direct observation. The method demonstrated good reproducibility and recovery in actual sample spiking experiments. In addition, PCP-labeled nanoplastics were successfully used to visualize the uptake and distribution of cells and Arabidopsis thaliana when exposed to different concentrations of nanoplastics. This work provides a simple and sensitive method for efficiently identify, track, and quantify nanoplastics without requiring additional pretreatment and complex instrumentation, making it an ideal tool for accurately quantifying nanoplastics in aqueous solutions and studying the biological interactions of nanoplastics.
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Scientists developed a new highly sensitive method to detect polypropylene nanoplastics in water using a special fluorescent probe combined with electrochemiluminescence technology. The method can detect nanoplastics at concentrations as low as 0.01 micrograms per liter, far more sensitive than previous approaches. Better detection tools like this are critical for monitoring nanoplastic contamination in drinking water and understanding the true extent of human exposure.
Bifunctional nanoprobes for improved biological tracking of nanoplastics
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Scientists have created a new tool that both lights up and precisely measures tiny plastic particles inside living things, tested on cells and even zebrafish offspring. This matters because it helps researchers track exactly how much nanoplastic gets into bodies and where it travels, a key step toward understanding how these particles might affect our health.
Rapid and sensitive detection of nanoplastics via dual-positive-charged AIEgens: A simple filtration-assisted approach for environmental detection
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Scientists have developed a new, fast, and highly sensitive test that can detect tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics in water within seconds, using special glowing molecules that stick to the plastic and light up. This matters because nanoplastics are so small they can potentially get into our bodies through food and water, but until now they've been hard to detect and measure—this new tool could help researchers track contamination in everyday items like water bottles and food packaging, which is a key step toward understanding and reducing our exposure to these pollutants.
Novel Concepts for the Detection of Microplastics
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Researchers developed novel photoluminescence-based detection concepts for identifying microplastics in environmental samples, addressing the need for more automated and reliable monitoring methods. The approach could complement existing spectroscopic techniques and contribute to the development of standardized microplastic detection protocols.
Fast and portable fluorescence lifetime analysis for early warning detection of micro- and nanoplastics in water
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Researchers developed a portable fluorescence-based system that can detect micro- and nanoplastics in water without any sample preparation or labeling. The method works by measuring the natural fluorescence lifetime of plastic particles using a pulsed laser, achieving detection limits as low as 0.01 mg/mL. The study presents a promising early-warning tool for rapid, on-site monitoring of plastic contamination in water sources.
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