We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Nanoplastic Analysis by Online Coupling of Raman Microscopy and Field-Flow Fractionation Enabled by Optical Tweezers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a new analytical technique for detecting nanoplastics by combining field-flow fractionation with online Raman microspectroscopy, using optical tweezers to trap particles and overcome weak scattering signals. The method successfully identified polymer and inorganic particles ranging from 200 nm to 5 micrometers at concentrations around 1 mg/L.
Nanoplastic pollution is an emerging environmental concern, but current analytical approaches are facing limitations in this size range. However, the coupling of nanoparticle separation with chemical characterization bears potential to close this gap. Here, we realize the hyphenation of particle separation/characterization (field-flow fractionation (FFF), UV, and multiangle light scattering) with subsequent chemical identification by online Raman microspectroscopy (RM). The problem of low Raman scattering was overcome by trapping particles with 2D optical tweezers. This setup enabled RM to identify particles of different materials (polymers and inorganic) in the size range from 200 nm to 5 μm, with concentrations in the order of 1 mg/L (109 particles L-1). The hyphenation was realized for asymmetric flow FFF and centrifugal FFF, which separate particles on the basis of different properties. This technique shows potential for application in nanoplastic analysis, as well as many other fields of nanomaterial characterization.
More Papers Like This
Online Coupling of Field-Flow Fractionation with Raman Microspectroscopy Enables the Advanced Study of Nanoplastics Directly in Food
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed an online coupling of field-flow fractionation with Raman microspectroscopy to enable direct detection and characterisation of nanoplastics in complex food matrices, overcoming limitations of existing methods that require laborious sample preparation.
Flow Plastometry of Microplastics Using Optical Line Tweezers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a novel system using Raman spectroscopy combined with optical line tweezers to simultaneously analyze the shape and chemical composition of microplastics flowing through a channel. The technique can capture and characterize particles as small as 500 nanometers, offering a potential tool for real-time monitoring of microplastics in water environments.
Raman Tweezers for Small Microplastics and Nanoplastics Identification in Seawater
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used Raman tweezers - optical tweezers combined with Raman spectroscopy - to capture and chemically identify individual small microplastic and nanoplastic particles in seawater samples in situ. This novel technique could enable real-time identification of the smallest plastic particles in marine environments, filling a critical gap in nano- and micro-plastic detection.
Trapping and chemical characterization of sub-microplastics using Raman optical tweezers with machine learning
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers combined optical tweezers Raman spectroscopy with machine learning-driven PCA to identify and classify individual sub-micron plastic particles (PE, PP, PS) from environmental matrices. By analyzing 35 Raman spectra, the platform demonstrated accurate single-particle identification without complex sample preparation.
Raman Tweezers for micro and nanoplastics analysis in watery ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
Raman Tweezers — instruments that combine laser trapping with Raman spectroscopy — were demonstrated as a powerful tool for identifying individual micro- and nanoplastic particles in water samples without physical contact. The technique can measure both the size and chemical composition of particles as small as nanometers, addressing a major gap in detection capabilities for nanoplastics. This analytical advance could enable more sensitive monitoring of the smallest plastic particles in aquatic environments.
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.