We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
In Situ Fluorescent Illumination of Microplastics in Water Utilizing a Combination of Dye/Surfactant and Quenching Techniques
Summary
Researchers developed an in situ fluorescent microplastic detection method using a nonpolar dye combined with surfactant to form nanoscale dye particles that selectively adsorb onto and penetrate plastic polymer matrices in water, then quenched free dye fluorescence using aniline to enable direct visualization of stained microplastics without filtration.
Although plastics have benefited our lives in terms of cost and convenience, the disposal of end-of-life plastics poses environmental problems, such as microplastics (MPs). Although the separation (e.g., filtration) and staining of MPs with fluorescent dye/solvent are generally accepted steps to observe MPs in an environmental matrix, in this study, an in situ selective fluorescent illumination of the MPs in water was attempted with the aid of surfactant. Nonpolar fluorescent dye in combination with surfactant affords nanometer-sized dye particles in water, which adsorb on MPs and penetrate the polymer matrix for effective staining and stable fluorescent behaviors. The effects of different staining parameters, including different dyes, surfactants, staining temperatures, staining times, dye/surfactant ratios, dye/MP ratios, and MP concentrations in aqueous solutions were investigated to better understand staining conditions. More interestingly, non-adsorbed free dye molecules in the staining solution were almost completely fluorescence-quenched by introducing the quenching agent, aniline, while the fluorescence intensity of the stained MP was maintained. By staining MPs with a dye/surfactant combination and subsequently quenching with aniline, in situ selective fluorescent illumination of the MPs in water was successfully achieved, which may eliminate the tedious separation/filtration procedure of MPs to accomplish the quick detection or monitoring of MPs.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
A non-contact in situ approach for detecting fluorescent microplastic particles in flowing water using fluorescence spectroscopy
Researchers developed a non-contact in situ method combining fluorescence spectroscopy and interferometric particle imaging to detect, characterise, and classify fluorescent polypropylene microplastic particles in flowing water.
Development of dye-staining method for microplastics detection
Researchers developed a tailored dye-staining method for detecting microplastics and microfibers, proposing a selective staining protocol designed to improve visualization and identification accuracy. The study presents this approach as a practical analytical tool for microplastic detection in environmental and laboratory samples.
Spectroscopic Investigation of Increased Fluorescent Intensity of Fluorescent Dyes When Adsorbed onto Polystyrene Microparticles
Researchers investigated how fluorescent dyes used to stain and identify microplastics behave differently depending on the plastic polymer type and surrounding water chemistry. Understanding how staining conditions affect fluorescence intensity helps improve the reliability of dye-based microplastic detection methods.
Revolutionizing microplastic detection in water through quantum dot fluorescence
Researchers developed a novel approach using carbon quantum dots to stain microplastics, enabling fluorescence-based detection in water at low cost and with simple synthesis, demonstrating high sensitivity and selectivity without the toxicity concerns of conventional fluorescent dyes.
Quantitative Detection of Microplastics in Water through Fluorescence Signal Analysis
Researchers developed an automatic, portable fluorescence-based system for quantitative detection of microplastics in water, using dye-stained particles flowing through a laser beam to enable fast and objective counting without manual microscopy.