We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Photothermal infrared imaging: identification and visualization of micro- and nanoplastics in environmental matrices
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated that photothermal infrared heterodyne imaging can identify and visualize micro- and nanoplastic particles in complex environmental samples at sub-micrometer resolution. The technique overcomes the resolution limits of conventional infrared spectroscopy and can detect individual plastic particles far smaller than previously possible.
Infrared photothermal heterodyne imaging (IR-PHI) is an established all-optical, table-top approach for conducting super-resolution mid-infrared microscopy and spectroscopy on submicrometer-sized particles. The instrument's capabilities are highlighted by its ability to operate in spectroscopically-crowded environments. This includes specimens obtained from environmental matrices where particulates with different morphologies, chemical compositions, and abundances exist. Here, proof-of-concept IR-PHI measurements have been conducted on anthropogenic micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) derived from the breakdown of consumer products. In particular, IR-PHI is used to characterize MNPs extracted from steeped plastic teabags and floor dust from a household vacuum. IR-PHI results reveal the presence of complex MNP structures made of polyamide fibers and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene MNPs.
More Papers Like This
Using Infrared Photothermal Heterodyne Imaging to Characterize Micro- and Nanoplastics in Complex Environmental Matrices
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers introduced infrared photothermal heterodyne imaging (IR-PHI) as a 300 nm resolution technique for identifying and quantifying micro- and nanoplastics in complex environmental matrices, demonstrating its application to nylon tea bag leachates and sediment samples.
Photothermal Infrared Imaging of Nanoplastics in Human Cells with Nanoscale Resolution
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated a new photothermal infrared imaging technique capable of detecting and localizing nanoplastics inside individual human cells at nanoscale resolution. The study found that polystyrene nanoparticles accumulated around cell nuclei, and that this advanced imaging approach overcomes the spatial resolution limitations of conventional infrared spectroscopy for tracking nanoplastics in biological tissues.
Identifying Microplastics in Laboratory and Atmospheric Aerosol Mixtures via Optical Photothermal Infrared and Raman Microspectroscopy
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy methods to identify microplastics in both laboratory-prepared and real atmospheric aerosol samples, demonstrating the technique's ability to distinguish plastic particles from other aerosol components in complex air quality monitoring contexts.
PhotothermalInfrared Imaging of Nanoplastics in HumanCells with Nanoscale Resolution
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used photothermal infrared imaging with nanoscale resolution to detect and localize polystyrene nanoparticles inside individual human fibroblast and glioblastoma cells, overcoming the size limitation of conventional FTIR and enabling sub-100 nm nanoplastic localization in cells.
Label-Free Identification and Imaging of Microplastic and Nanoplastic Biouptake Using Optical Photothermal Infrared Microspectroscopy
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a new imaging technique that can locate and identify microplastic and nanoplastic particles inside whole organisms without needing fluorescent labels. Using a method called optical photothermal infrared microscopy, they tracked polystyrene particles as small as 1 micrometer in roundworms. This tool could help scientists better understand how plastic particles are taken up by living things and where they accumulate in the body.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.