Sensitive Nanoplastics Detection by Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy

Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor for Sensitive Nanoplastic Detection

Nanoplastic Identification and Quantification with Nanoelectromechanical System-Based Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: NEMS-FTIR

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Researchers introduced NEMS-FTIR, a technique coupling nanoelectromechanical systems with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, enabling rapid chemical identification of nanoplastic particles with picogram sensitivity and minimal sample preparation. Detecting nanoplastics at such small scales is a critical barrier to understanding their environmental and biological impacts, and this method addresses a major analytical gap.

A Nile Red-assisted colorimetric and SERS dual-mode strategy for the rapid and highly sensitive detection of nanoplastics

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Scientists have developed a quick, dye-based test that can detect nanoplastics, plastic particles so small they're invisible to the eye, in water using either a simple color change or a more sensitive light-based scan. This matters because nanoplastics are increasingly found in our environment and bodies, but current detection methods require expensive lab equipment, making it hard to track this potential health threat; this new tool could someday enable easier, on-site monitoring of water safety.

Raman Spectroscopy Based Approaches for Microplastics Investigations

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Researchers reviewed Raman spectroscopy-based approaches — including confocal Raman microscopy, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and automated imaging — for identifying and characterizing microplastics in environmental samples, highlighting their superior chemical specificity compared to FTIR for sub-10-μm particles. Accurate chemical identification of microplastics at the nanoscale is foundational for both environmental monitoring and toxicological research, as particle composition (polymer type and additives) strongly influences biological harm.

Microplastics Characterization by Raman Microscopy

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Raman microscopy has emerged as a powerful tool for identifying and characterizing microplastics at small particle sizes that are difficult to analyze with other methods, enabling more accurate quantification in environmental samples. Improving characterization techniques is critical because smaller microplastic particles are more numerous and more likely to be ingested by a wider range of organisms, including humans.