Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

High sensitivity in quantitative analysis of mixed-size polystyrene micro/nanoplastics in one step

Scientists developed a new method using filtration combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to separate and identify mixed-size micro- and nanoplastics in a single step. The technique achieved detection limits as low as parts-per-billion concentration levels and was successfully tested in real-world tap water samples. Reliable methods for detecting nanoplastics in drinking water are crucial for understanding the extent of human exposure through water consumption.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Validated method for polystyrene nanoplastic separation in aqueous matrices by asymmetric-flow field flow fraction coupled to MALS and UV–Vis detectors

Researchers developed and fully validated a method to accurately measure nanoplastic particle sizes (30–490 nm) in water using a technique that combines flow separation with light-scattering detection. Having a validated analytical method is a critical step for standardizing how nanoplastics are measured across laboratories, enabling more consistent assessment of their environmental risks.

2023 Microchimica Acta 14 citations
Article Tier 2

A membrane cascade for size-based separation and concentration of nanoplastics in environmental waters

Researchers developed a cascade system of membrane filters that can separate and concentrate nanoplastics from environmental water samples by size. They demonstrated that the system effectively isolates nanoplastic particles while tracking recovery rates using fluorescent markers. The technology addresses a major challenge in nanoplastic research by providing a reliable method to extract these extremely small particles from water for accurate measurement and analysis.

2025 Separation and Purification Technology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Trace analysis of polystyrene microplastics in natural waters

Researchers developed and evaluated analytical methods for trace-level quantification of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics in natural water samples, addressing key challenges in sensitivity and accuracy that limit realistic environmental risk assessment.

2019 Chemosphere 133 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and Quantification of Nanoplastics in Surface Water and Groundwater by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a method combining ultrafiltration and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and quantify nanoplastics in surface water and groundwater. The study successfully detected six types of plastic polymers at the nanoscale in environmental water samples, providing much-needed quantitative data on nanoplastic pollution in real-world water sources.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology 210 citations
Article Tier 2

A method for efficient separation of polystyrene nanoplastics and its application in natural freshwater

Researchers developed a method using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled with multiple detectors to efficiently separate and characterize polystyrene nanoplastics by particle size in freshwater environments, demonstrating its applicability for analysing nanoplastic environmental behaviour in natural freshwater samples.

2025 RSC Advances
Article Tier 2

Separation and enrichment of nanoplastics in environmental water samples via ultracentrifugation

An ultracentrifugation protocol was developed and validated for separating and concentrating nanoplastics from environmental water samples, enabling detection of particles below 100 nm that are otherwise lost during conventional filtration-based processing, and revealing nanoplastics in river water samples at concentrations not previously quantified.

2021 Water Research 73 citations
Article Tier 2

A green approach to nanoplastic detection: SERS with untreated filter paper for polystyrene nanoplastics

Researchers developed a simple and affordable method to detect nanoplastics in water using silver nanoparticles and ordinary filter paper, achieving detection of polystyrene particles as small as 100 nanometers. The method successfully identified nanoplastics in both drinking water and tap water samples. Better detection tools like this are important because they make it easier to monitor nanoplastic contamination in the water people actually drink, helping researchers understand real-world exposure levels.

2024 The Analyst 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Separation and identification of nanoplastics in tap water

Researchers developed a method to separate and identify nanoplastics in tap water, detecting particles as small as 58 nanometers made of common plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene, and PVC. They found nanoplastic concentrations of roughly 1.7 to 2.1 micrograms per liter in tap water samples. The study provides the first feasible approach for measuring these extremely tiny plastic particles in drinking water, highlighting a potential health concern for consumers.

2021 Environmental Research 138 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of Trace Polystyrene Nanoplastics Down to 50 nm by the Hyphenated Method of Filtration and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Based on Silver Nanowire Membranes

Researchers developed a method combining silver nanowire membrane filtration with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to detect trace polystyrene nanoplastics down to 50 nm in water, addressing a critical gap in nanoplastic analytical techniques.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology 155 citations
Article Tier 2

Closing the gap between small and smaller: towards a framework to analyse nano- and microplastics in aqueous environmental samples

This paper proposes an analytical framework for measuring both nano- and microplastics across a broad size spectrum in water samples, addressing the gap between methods optimized for either large microplastics or nanoparticles. A unified size-spanning approach is needed to fully characterize plastic pollution in aquatic environments where particles across many orders of magnitude coexist.

2018 Environmental Science Nano 316 citations
Article Tier 2

Experimental Evaluation of the Process Performance of MF and UF Membranes for the Removal of Nanoplastics

Researchers evaluated microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membrane performance for removing polystyrene nanospheres (120 and 500 nm) from water, finding that UF membranes can achieve high removal of nanoplastic particles that conventional wastewater treatment misses.

2023 Membranes 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Development and testing of a fractionated filtration for sampling of microplastics in water

Researchers developed and tested a fractionated filtration system for sampling microplastics in water bodies, proposing a standardized sampling concept that accounts for plastic-specific properties to improve comparability of microplastic data across different studies and environments.

2018 Water Research 101 citations
Article Tier 2

Sequential Isolation of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Environmental Waters by Membrane Filtration, Followed by Cloud-Point Extraction

Researchers developed a two-step method combining membrane filtration and cloud-point extraction to sequentially isolate microplastics and nanoplastics from water, achieving over 90% recovery for MPs on membrane filters and over 93% recovery for NPs in the filtrate for subsequent Py-GC/MS analysis.

2021 Analytical Chemistry 124 citations
Article Tier 2

Separation and Analysis of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Complex Environmental Samples

This review examined separation and analysis methods for microplastics and nanoplastics in complex environmental samples, covering density separation, filtration, spectroscopic identification, and emerging approaches for sub-micron particles. The authors identify detection of nanoplastics as a critical unresolved methodological challenge for understanding full plastic contamination in the environment.

2019 Accounts of Chemical Research 671 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics in aquatic environments: Origin, separation and characterization: Review

This review covers the origins, separation methods, and characterization of nanoplastics in aquatic environments. Nanoplastics (1–100 nm) are particularly concerning because their tiny size gives them a large surface area for adsorbing pollutants and allows them to penetrate biological barriers more easily than larger microplastics.

2023 Tehnika
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) for the Measurement of Nanoplastics in Drinking Water

Researchers evaluated nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) as a method for measuring nanoplastics in drinking water, finding that NTA could detect polystyrene nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations but struggled to discriminate plastic particles from natural organic nanoparticles in real water samples. The authors identified NTA as a useful screening tool requiring complementary chemical identification methods for definitive nanoplastic quantification.

2022 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Protein Corona-Mediated Extraction for Quantitative Analysis of Nanoplastics in Environmental Waters by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Scientists developed a new method for detecting and measuring nanoplastics in environmental water samples using a protein-based extraction technique paired with specialized mass spectrometry. The approach works by adding a protein that naturally coats nanoplastic particles, which can then be separated from the water and analyzed. Using this method, researchers detected nanoplastics in both river water and wastewater treatment plant samples, demonstrating a practical tool for monitoring these tiny but potentially harmful contaminants.

2021 Analytical Chemistry 103 citations
Article Tier 2

Filter-less separation technique for micronized anthropogenic polymers from artificial seawater

Researchers developed a filter-less method to separate anthropogenic polymer particles from artificial test media, improving the accuracy of laboratory studies on microplastic behavior and toxicity. Cleaner separation techniques reduce contamination artifacts and improve the reliability of microplastic exposure experiments.

2021 Environmental Science Water Research & Technology 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Monitoring Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Polyvinyl Dichloride Micro/Nanoplastics in Water by Direct Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled to Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a novel method for detecting and quantifying micro- and nanoplastics in water using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The technique successfully identified poly(methyl methacrylate) and polyvinyl dichloride particles at low concentrations without requiring extensive sample preparation. The study offers a simpler, more sustainable, and more sensitive approach for monitoring plastic particle contamination in aqueous environments.

2024 Analytical Chemistry 16 citations