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Terahertz Detection of Halogen Additive-Containing Plastics
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Researchers applied terahertz spectroscopy to identify and distinguish different plastic types including polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, and PET based on their terahertz transmission and refractive index characteristics. They found that halogen-containing plastics could be specifically identified by their terahertz spectral signatures, which is relevant for plastic waste sorting. The technique has potential applications in microplastic polymer identification.
Terahertz (THz) waves are transparent with respect to non-polar substances, such as plastics. The refractive index at THz frequencies and the specific spectral features of plastic materials, such as polypropene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl alcohol (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be used to discriminate waste plastics into each material regardless of color. This is important since colored plastic cannot be identified by the present method of near-infrared (NIR) reflection spectroscopy due to absorption of NIR light by the coloring. In addition, the THz refractive index of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) increases in proportion to the content of bromine (Br), which can be used to quantitatively evaluate the presence of halogen additives in waste plastic. We show that the non-contact THz identification of materials and additives in plastics can be an effective method for sorting plastic waste. Safe & efficient waste management is one of the most urgent social requirements for smart city innovation.
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Identification and characterization of various plastics using THz-spectroscopy
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Researchers used terahertz spectroscopy, which has reached spatial resolutions of a few micrometres and interacts with molecular vibrations without ionizing samples or damaging DNA, to identify and characterize various plastic types, demonstrating the technique's potential for building materials databases and biological imaging applications.
Identification, Assignment, and Characterization of Low-Frequency Dynamics in Microplastic Pollutants
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Researchers used low-frequency terahertz spectroscopy to identify, assign, and characterize vibrational modes in microplastic pollutant samples. The study demonstrates a new spectroscopic approach for identifying common plastic types based on their characteristic low-frequency molecular dynamics.
Identification and classification of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and low-density polyethylene microplastics using terahertz imaging based on terahertz frequency-domain spectroscopy system
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Scientists used a special light imaging technique (terahertz waves) to spot and tell apart different types of microplastics mixed together, without needing to sort or prepare samples first. This matters because faster, easier microplastic detection could help researchers better track these tiny pollutants that end up in our food, water, and eventually our bodies.
Characterizations of high-density polyethylene by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy
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Researchers characterized the optical properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) particles using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and found the method can distinguish different particle sizes and filler contents. The technique can also detect how HDPE adsorbs other substances onto its surface. Terahertz spectroscopy could be developed as a rapid, non-destructive tool for identifying and characterizing HDPE microplastics in environmental samples.
Detection of Microplastic in Salts Using Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy
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Researchers demonstrated that terahertz spectroscopy can detect microplastics embedded in table salt at different concentrations. This technology could offer a new non-destructive method for screening food products for microplastic contamination.
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