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Imaging and identification of single nanoplastic particles and agglomerates
Summary
Scientists used a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique to detect and identify individual nanoplastic particles as small as 100 nanometers, a size range that has been extremely difficult to measure with existing methods. The approach can distinguish between single particles and clumps, and works significantly faster than previous imaging techniques. The study represents a meaningful advance in nanoplastic detection that could help researchers better understand the true extent of nanoplastic pollution.
Pollution by nanoplastic is a growing environmental and health concern. Currently the extent of nanoplastic in the environment can only be cumbersomely and indirectly estimated but not measured. To be able to quantify the extent of the problem, detection methods that can identify nanoplastic particles that are smaller than 1 [Formula: see text]m are critically needed. Here, we employ surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to image and identify single nanoplastic particles down to 100 nm in size. We can differentiate between single particles and agglomerates and our method allows an improvement in detection speed of [Formula: see text] compared to state-of-the art surface-enhanced Raman imaging. Being able to resolve single particles allows to measure the SERS enhancement factor on individual nanoplastic particles instead of averaging over a concentration without spatial information. Our results thus contribute to the better understanding and employment of SERS for nanoplastic detection and present an important step for the development of future sensors.