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Thermogravimetric analysis of microplastics: A mini review
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Researchers reviewed thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) — a technique that measures how materials break down with heat — as a tool for identifying and measuring microplastics, finding it promising but underutilized compared to methods like infrared spectroscopy. The review advocates for developing stand-alone TGA methods that could offer a faster and simpler approach to microplastic identification in environmental samples.
This mini review identifies several thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)-based methods for the identification and quantification of different microplastics in both proof-of-concept studies and environmental samples, and highlights method-specific limitations associated with their application. Well-separated and non-overlapping melting peaks are a conditional requirement for the identification and quantification of microplastics using thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC). Other TGA-based methods, such as coupled Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR) or mass spectrometry (TGA-MS), as well as thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TED-GC-MS), are dependent on the presence of at least one unique thermal degradation product for use as a marker in the identification and quantification process. Varying degrees of time expenditure and complexity of analysis are present within the reviewed methods, with one consistent factor underlying the evaluation: an underutilization of information extracted from the TGA signal itself. As such, in this mini-review, we advocate the development of methods in which stand-alone TGA can be applied towards the chemical identification of microplastics. Although the main hindrance to this is the presence of overlapping thermal transitions, stand-alone TGA has long been used as a routine and robust method for the analysis of polymers, and methods for optimizing the resolution of complex mixtures are available. Current results in literature emphasize the complementarity of analysis methods, and TGA has potential to play a role as a rapid and facile method that can guide the chemical identification of polymers and address needs of current methods.
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This study developed a thermal analysis method using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to determine the mass concentration of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in environmental samples. The approach is cost-effective and straightforward, offering an alternative to the more expensive spectroscopic methods commonly used for microplastic identification.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.