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Detection of blue nanoplastics using resonance Raman spectroscopy coupled with plasmonic nanostructured substrates
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Researchers developed a method for detecting blue-colored nanoplastics using resonance Raman spectroscopy combined with plasmonic nanostructured substrates as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. The approach addressed the challenge of detecting sub-micron particles in complex environmental matrices where physical and chemical aging alter nanoplastic signatures.
The growing presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in aquatic and terrestrial environments has raised global concern, prompting researchers and policymakers to develop advanced analytical methods for their detection and monitoring. Among these, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has emerged as a promising technique due to its high sensitivity. However, detecting NPs remains challenging because of their small size (below 1 μm), heterogeneous composition, and the physical and chemical changes NPs undergo through environmental aging and contamination. Blue-colored fragments and fibers rank among the most commonly reported microplastic pollutants in aquatic environments. Therefore, their high prevalence motivated our investigation into the detection of their nanoscale counterparts. In this study, we demonstrate a feasible approach for detecting secondary blue nanoplastics at single-particle level by combining SERS with resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy. SEM-EDX analysis was employed to characterize the blue nanoplastics and the SERS substrates prepared. These particles often contain copper phthalocyanine (CuPc), a persistent pigment commonly used in plastic manufacturing. We have observed that CuPc exhibits a strong RR signal under appropriate laser excitation, allowing it to serve as a marker for tracking blue nanoplastics. Our approach integrates the distinctive RR signal of CuPc with customized nanostructured SERS substrates, fabricated via colloidal and soft lithography, to enhance detection sensitivity. This work highlights the potential of RR-assisted SERS as a powerful tool for advancing secondary nanoplastic detection in environmental research.
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Advanced microplastic monitoring using Raman spectroscopy with a combination of nanostructure-based substrates
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Researchers reviewed advances in Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) — a technique that amplifies light signals using metallic nanostructures — for detecting micro- and nanoplastics at trace concentrations in environmental samples, highlighting new plasmonic materials, 3D substrates, and microfluidic chip platforms that enable on-site monitoring.
Blue micro-/nanoplastics abundance in the environment: a double threat as a Trojan horse for a plastic-Cu-phthalocyanine pigment and an opportunity for nanoplastic detection via micro-Raman spectroscopy
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Researchers exploited the resonance Raman signal of copper-phthalocyanine blue pigment in abundant environmental blue microplastics to enable micro-Raman spectroscopic detection of nanoplastics below conventional size limits, simultaneously identifying pigmented microplastics as a dual environmental threat and detection opportunity.
Detection of Sub-Micro- and Nanoplastic Particles on Gold Nanoparticle-Based Substrates through Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Spectroscopy
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Gold nanoparticle-based SERS substrates were used to detect sub-micro and nanoplastic particles including polystyrene, PET, and PVC, demonstrating that this technique can identify plastic particles below the size threshold of conventional Raman microscopy.
Strategies and Challenges of Identifying Nanoplastics in Environment by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
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Researchers reviewed the use of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as a tool for detecting nanoplastics, which are plastic particles smaller than one micrometer. The study found that SERS offers high sensitivity for identifying individual nanoparticles, but significant challenges remain in applying this technique to complex environmental samples. The review outlines strategies for improving SERS-based nanoplastic detection to better assess environmental and health risks.
Detection of Plastic Nanoparticles in Aqueous Enviroment Based on Optical Manipulation in Combination with Raman Spectroscopy
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This study presents an optical detection method for plastic nanoparticles in aqueous environments, combining optical aggregation of plasmonic metal nanoparticles with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Optical nanoimprinting creates active aggregates that enable SERS detection of nanoplastics in the sub-10 µm size range, where conventional detection methods face significant limitations. The approach addresses a critical analytical gap in nanoplastic monitoring by providing a label-free optical detection pathway for very small particles.
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