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Rapid identification of microplastics in complex biological matrices via high-speed mid-infrared hyperspectral imaging
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A high-speed mid-infrared hyperspectral imaging system accurately identified five common plastic polymers in seconds and detected micrometer-scale microplastics embedded in mouse embryo tissue. This rapid, chemically specific technique enables in situ mapping of microplastic particles in complex biological tissues, advancing our ability to study internal body burdens.
Rapid and reliable identification of microplastics in complex biological matrices remains challenging due to limited throughput or insufficient chemical specificity of existing techniques. Here, we demonstrate a high-speed and high-throughput mid-infrared hyperspectral imaging approach based on sub-cycle mid-infrared pulses. The system enables acquisition of centimeter-scale hyperspectral images covering the infrared fingerprint region with a spectral resolution of approximately 3 cm-1 within seconds. Microplastic particles composed of five common polymers-polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene terephthalate-were accurately identified and spatially mapped. The method was further validated in mouse embryo tissue sections, where micrometer-scale microplastics were reliably distinguished against highly complex and spatially heterogeneous infrared backgrounds. This approach combines the intrinsic chemical specificity of infrared absorption spectroscopy with large field-of-view, high-throughput, and rapid imaging, enabling efficient in situ microplastic analysis in complex biological environments.
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