We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for the detection of microplastics
Summary
Researchers developed a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy method using gold nanoparticles to detect polystyrene microplastics at concentrations as low as 6.5 micrograms per milliliter, offering a new tool for detecting sub-micron plastic pollutants in water.
Detection of microplastics is still challenging due to limitations of current methods, instrumentation, and particle size. In this work, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used to detect polystyrene (PS, 350 nm) and polyethylene (PE, 1–4 µm) particles in pure water. Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) of four different sizes were synthesized, characterized, and used as SERS active substrate for microplastic detection. The Au NPs obtained had a spherical shape with diameters of 33.2, 67.5, and 93.7 nm and an elliptical shape with shorter and longer diameters (nanorods) of 23.5 and 35.5 nm, respectively. The optimal conditions (volume ratio of sample to gold colloid, aggregating agent and its concentration) were determined. The efficient and stable SERS signals were observed on the PS microparticles, while the PE signal was difficult to obtain. The developed SERS method allows the detection of polystyrene microparticles at concentrations as low as 6.5 μg mL−1. The described method can be a useful tool for the detection of microplastic pollutants of this particular size.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Facilitates the Detection of Microplastics <1 μm in the Environment
Researchers developed a method using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to detect and identify individual microplastic particles smaller than one micrometer. This technique addresses a major gap in environmental monitoring, since most current methods cannot reliably detect the smallest microplastics that may pose the greatest risk due to their ability to enter cells and tissues.
Quantitative and sensitive analysis of polystyrene nanoplastics down to 50 nm by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy in water
Researchers developed a highly sensitive method using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to detect and quantify polystyrene nanoplastics as small as 50 nanometers in water samples. The technique achieved detection limits far below what conventional methods can measure, enabling the identification of nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations. This advancement addresses a critical gap in nanoplastic monitoring, as most existing methods cannot reliably detect particles at such small sizes.
Identification of polystyrene nanoplastics using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Researchers demonstrated for the first time that surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) using silver nanoparticles can identify polystyrene nanoplastics as small as 50 nm in real water samples, providing a rapid detection method that bypasses conventional sample preparation and could advance environmental monitoring of nanoplastics previously invisible to standard analytical techniques.
Breaking the Size Barrier: SERS-Based Ultrasensitive Detection and Quantification of Polystyrene Plastics in Real Water Samples
Researchers developed a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method capable of detecting and quantifying polystyrene plastic particles of various sizes — including nanoplastics — in real environmental water samples at ultrasensitive concentrations.
The onset of surface-enhanced Raman scattering for single-particle detection of submicroplastics
Researchers demonstrated surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) using gold nanourchins as a detection method for submicroplastic polystyrene particles at the single-particle level, addressing a critical monitoring gap for plastics smaller than 1 micrometer. The approach offers a promising analytical solution for detecting submicron and nanoplastics that conventional techniques cannot reliably quantify.