Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Fabrication and characterization of (fluorescent) model nanoplastics for polymer specific detection

Scientists developed fluorescently labeled model nanoplastics that mimic the properties of real plastic particles, enabling polymer-specific identification at very small scales. These standardized reference particles are a key research tool because nanoplastics are otherwise extremely difficult to detect and characterize in environmental samples.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Fluorescent plastic nanoparticles to track their interaction and fate in physiological environments

This study developed fluorescently labeled plastic nanoparticles made from PET, polypropylene, and polystyrene that can be tracked in biological environments to study how nanoplastics are taken up and processed by living organisms. Having trackable model nanoplastics is an important tool for understanding how these particles move through tissues and food chains.

2020 Environmental Science Nano 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Fluorescent nanoplastics: What steps are needed towards a representative toolkit?

This review critically examines strategies for creating and using fluorescent nanoplastics in research, noting that commonly used commercial polystyrene beads are not representative of environmental nanoplastics. The study recommends alternative approaches for producing more realistic fluorescent model particles and provides a roadmap to help researchers select appropriate methods for their specific applications.

2025 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Developing nano plastics models to study their fate in the environment.

Researchers developed nanoplastic model particles with defined properties to study their behavior and fate in environmental systems. Standardized nanoplastic models are needed because naturally occurring nanoplastics are difficult to isolate and characterize for controlled experiments.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

From the synthesis of labeled nanoplastic model materials (isotopic and metallic) to their use in ecotoxicological studies with the detection and quantification analytical methods.

Researchers synthesized isotopically and metallically labeled nanoplastic model materials to enable tracking and quantification of plastic nanoparticles in complex biological and environmental matrices at trace concentrations. The labeled models supported mechanistic studies of nanoplastic fate and exposure by allowing detection at environmentally relevant concentrations not achievable with conventional unlabeled particles.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Developing nano plastics models to study their fate in the environment.

Researchers synthesized nanoplastic model particles with well-defined properties to study their environmental fate and transport under controlled conditions. Standardized nanoplastic models allow more reproducible experiments and help bridge the gap between lab studies and real-world nanoplastic behavior.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Fluorescent labelling as a tool for identifying and quantifying nanoplastics

Researchers used fluorescent labeling with four fluorescent molecules to enable detection of nanoplastics from six common polymer types (PP, LDPE, HDPE, PS, PET, PVC) via 3D fluorescence spectral analysis. The method provides a practical approach to identifying and quantifying nanoplastics in samples where conventional spectroscopic methods face sensitivity challenges.

2024 RSC Advances 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Making fluorescent nylon, polypropylene, and polystyrene microplastics for in-vivo and in-vitro imaging

Researchers developed methods for making fluorescent nylon, polypropylene, and polystyrene microplastics by incorporating fluorescent dyes during fabrication, enabling reliable tracking in live-cell and in vivo imaging studies. The fluorescent MPs retained their physical properties while allowing visualization of cellular uptake, tissue distribution, and biological interactions.

2025 Preprints.org
Article Tier 2

Development and Application of Nanoparticle-Nanopolymer Composite Spheres for the Study of Environmental Processes

This study developed labeled synthetic nanoplastic particles with built-in chemical, isotopic, or fluorescent tracers to allow precise tracking of plastic particle fate and behavior in complex environmental and biological samples. These standardized tracer particles address a key bottleneck in microplastic research by enabling more sensitive and selective detection in real-world matrices.

2021 Frontiers in Toxicology 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation of block copolymer-stabilised microspheres of common polymers and their use as microplastics proxies in degradation studies

Researchers developed a simple method to produce standardized model microplastic particles made from common polymers for use in laboratory degradation studies. Reliable model microplastics are essential for consistent research into how different plastic types break down in the environment and affect living organisms.

2023 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Control of Nanoparticle Size of Intrinsically Fluorescent PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Particles Produced Through Nanoprecipitation

Researchers developed a method to create fluorescent PET (polyethylene terephthalate) nanoparticles of controlled size for use as traceable nanoplastic models in laboratory studies. These standardized particles allow scientists to better track and study how nanoplastics behave in cells and biological systems, addressing a key gap in our understanding of nanoplastic exposure risks.

2025 Molecules 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Aqueous Dispersions of Polypropylene: Toward Reference Materials for Characterizing Nanoplastics

Researchers developed aqueous dispersions of polypropylene nanoplastics to serve as reference materials for detection and characterization studies, addressing a critical gap in nanoplastics research where the lack of standardized reference particles has hindered method development for identifying nanoplastics in environmental and biological samples.

2022 Macromolecular Rapid Communications 39 citations
Article Tier 2

From the synthesis of labeled nanoplastic model materials (isotopic and metallic) to their use in ecotoxicological studies with the detection and quantification analytical methods.

This study developed labeled nanoplastic model materials using isotopic and metallic tracers to enable tracking and quantification of nanoplastics in complex biological and environmental matrices at environmentally relevant concentrations. Labeled particles allowed localization and measurement of nanoplastics at levels not detectable by conventional methods, advancing mechanistic exposure studies.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Production, labeling, and applications of micro- and nanoplastic reference and test materials

This study reviews methods for producing, labeling, and applying micro- and nanoplastic reference and test materials for research purposes. The researchers address the growing need for in-house production of standardized test materials, driven by challenges in extracting these particles from the environment and the limited range of commercially available options.

2025 Environmental Science Nano 7 citations
Article Tier 2

The micro-, submicron-, and nanoplastic hunt: A review of detection methods for plastic particles

This review systematically summarizes detection and characterization methods for micro-, submicron-, and nanoplastics, providing recommendations for method validation, standardization, and analytical pathways suited to different sample types and research goals.

2022 Chemosphere 136 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation of Nanoplastic Particles as Potential Standards for the Study of Nanoplastics

Researchers developed methods to prepare well-defined nanoplastic particles as potential reference standards for nanoplastic research, addressing the critical shortage of reliable materials for toxicity studies and analytical method validation. The study characterized the size, shape, and surface properties of the produced particles to confirm their suitability as standards.

2024 YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 1 citations
Article Tier 2

The Need for Properly Designed Synthesized Micro- and Nanoplastics with Core–Shell Structure

This review argues that currently available reference micro- and nanoplastics for toxicology research are poorly characterized and lack diversity, making the case for properly designed core-shell synthetic particles that better represent the range of environmentally relevant polymer types.

2024 Microplastics 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Autofluorescence of Model Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastics for Cell Interaction Studies

Researchers produced model PET nanoplastics through mechanical fragmentation and characterized their autofluorescence properties, enabling label-free tracking of nanoplastic interactions with biological systems without the artifacts introduced by fluorescent dyes.

2022 Nanomaterials 36 citations
Article Tier 2

Fluorescent Tagging of Polymer Particles with PBN for the Detection of Microplastics in Personal Care Goods

Researchers used fluorescent labeling to detect microplastic particles in personal care products, a common but undermonitored source of plastic pollution. The method proved effective for identifying small polymer particles in consumer goods.

2021 Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Method of manufacturing and staining microplastics for using in the biological experiments

Researchers developed a method for manufacturing PVC microplastic particles via electrospinning and staining them with fluorescent dyes for use in biological experiments, providing a standardized approach for producing particles of controlled size and morphology. Stained PVC particles retained their fluorescence over experimental time periods, enabling reliable tracking in organism tissues.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Synthesis of model polyethylene particles for the study of nanoplastics in the oceans

Researchers synthesized model polyethylene nanoplastic particles to serve as reference materials for studying the behavior and fate of nanoplastics in ocean environments, addressing the gap created by the lack of standardized particles representative of naturally fragmented marine plastic debris.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Small micro- and nanoplastic test and reference materials for research: Current status and future needs

This review highlights the lack of realistic test materials for studying small microplastics and nanoplastics, noting that most lab studies use uniform, spherical particles that do not represent what is actually found in the environment. Better reference materials that match the irregular shapes, sizes, and chemical makeup of real-world plastic particles are needed to accurately assess risks to organisms and human health.

2024 Cambridge Prisms Plastics 23 citations
Article Tier 2

The Challenge of the Analysis of Nanoplastics in the Environment: Current Status and Perspectives

This review examines the analytical challenges of detecting and characterising nanoplastics in environmental samples, presenting the state of the art in size determination, chemical composition analysis, and quantification techniques, as well as a survey of nanoplastic model materials used in the literature.

2022
Article Tier 2

Synthesis of near-infrared-fluorophore-loaded microplastics with different compositions for in vivo tracking

Researchers synthesised fluorescent microplastic particles of different polymer types that can be tracked inside living animals using near-infrared imaging, creating a tool for studying how microplastics move through and accumulate within biological tissues. These model particles help researchers understand real-world microplastic behaviour inside organisms, which is critical for assessing health risks.

2026 Environmental Science Advances