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Nanoplastics: From Separations to Analysis—Challenges and Limitations
Summary
This review examines the challenges of analyzing nanoplastics in environmental samples, from sample preparation to identification. Researchers found that techniques commonly used for larger microplastics are often ineffective for nanoplastics, and that isolating these tiny particles from complex environmental samples remains a major technical hurdle. The study summarizes the advantages and limitations of current microscopic, spectroscopic, and thermal analysis methods and calls for standardized approaches.
The issue of nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment, following that of microplastics (MPs), is receiving increasing attention in the scientific community. Due to their size, these particles require the development and application of new methods for both quantitative and qualitative determination. Consequently, techniques commonly used for analyzing MPs may prove ineffective in the context of NPs. Isolating NPs from samples with complex matrices poses a significant challenge that directly affects analytical outcomes. This paper aims to discuss the main challenges encountered during the analysis of NPs in environmental samples. Various methods for the visualization and identification of NPs are examined, with a focus on microscopic, spectroscopic, and thermal techniques. The advantages and limitations of analytical approaches reported in the literature are summarized, offering guidance for the future development and standardization of methods used to determine NPs in environmental contexts.
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