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Identification of black microplastics using long-wavelength infrared hyperspectral imaging with imaging-type two-dimensional Fourier spectroscopy
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Japanese scientists used a long-wavelength infrared hyperspectral camera to identify black microplastics, which are difficult to detect with conventional infrared methods. This new approach could significantly improve microplastic detection in the many dark-colored plastic items that fragment in the environment.
Despite recent progress in focal plane array Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FPA-FT-IR) for automatic microplastic (MP) discrimination, the analysis time is still too long (e.g., 9 h for a sample with a diameter of 47 mm) and the equipment is expensive. As a solution, a hyperspectral camera restricted to the near-infrared or short-wavelength infrared band could be applied. However, with these bands, the minimum discriminable size is only about 100 μm, and discrimination among darkly colored plastics is difficult. The long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) band is reportedly effective for discrimination among darkly colored plastics. In this study, we constructed a palm-sized LWIR hyperspectral camera (105 mm × 90 mm × 50 mm, 1.25 kg) for imaging-type two-dimensional Fourier spectroscopy. Our system used a general-purpose, inexpensive, and compact microbolometer for the LWIR band. This system could record the absorbance of black MPs (polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene) in a 3.8 mm × 3.0 mm area in 36 s, which was less than 1/6th of the time required for FPA-FT-IR. Additionally, our system could obtain spectra for a 12 μm × 12 μm area. Because our device is cheaper and more compact than a FPA-FT-IR, it will be easier to take out in the field or on a research vessel.
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