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Rapid MicroplasticDetection Using High-ThroughputScreening Raman Spectroscopy

Figshare 2025
Shiwani Shiwani (21789755), Ines Latka (21789758), Jürgen Popp (1284234), Christoph Krafft (124218), Iwan W. Schie (4797021)

Summary

Researchers developed a high-throughput screening Raman spectroscopy system for rapid microplastic detection, overcoming the traditional tradeoff between spatial resolution, field of view, and analytical throughput to enable faster identification of plastic particles across environmental samples with low concentrations.

Microplastic pollution poses a significant environmental challenge, with particles ranging from micrometers to millimeters contaminating ecosystems worldwide. Traditional Raman microspectroscopy struggles to balance spatial resolution, field of view, and throughput, especially at low particle concentrations. Here, we present a high-throughput Raman spectroscopy (HTS-RS) platform that overcomes these limitations by combining a 3.15 × 2.10 mm2 field of view with a spatial resolution of 1.4 μm, enabling rapid, label-free detection and classification of microplastics across a wide size range. The system integrates automated particle recognition, autofocus correction, and Raman spectral acquisition into a seamless workflow, reducing user intervention and accelerating data acquisition. Validation on reference microplastic mixtures demonstrated precise detection from 7 μm to over 400 μm, with robust morphological and chemical characterization. With its high sensitivity, throughput, and automation, our platform sets a new benchmark for microplastic monitoring and provides a scalable solution for environmental screening applications.

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