Papers

20 results
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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

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
Article Tier 2

Robust polyaniline coating magnetic biochar nanoparticles for fast and wide pH and temperature range removal of nanoplastics and achieving label free detection

Researchers created polyaniline-coated magnetic biochar nanoparticles from agricultural waste and demonstrated they can remove polystyrene nanoplastics from water at 95–99% efficiency across a wide pH range (1–10) and temperature range, while also functioning as an electrochemical sensor for nanoplastic detection down to 1.26 μg/L.

2025 Water Research 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Adsorption and thermal degradation of microplastics from aqueous solutions by Mg/Zn modified magnetic biochars

Researchers developed magnesium- and zinc-modified magnetic biochars that achieved over 94% removal efficiency for polystyrene microplastics from water, with performance enhanced by the metal modifications. The modified biochars also showed effectiveness in thermally degrading the captured microplastics, offering a potential two-step approach for microplastic removal and destruction in water treatment.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 471 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel polymer coated magnetic activated biochar-zeolite composite for adsorption of polystyrene microplastics: Synthesis, characterization, adsorption and regeneration performance

Researchers developed a new magnetic composite material made from biochar, zeolite, and polymer coatings that can effectively capture microplastics from water. The material removed over 90 percent of test microplastics and could be regenerated and reused multiple times. The study presents a promising, practical approach for filtering microplastics out of contaminated water using materials that can be magnetically recovered.

2023 Separation and Purification Technology 80 citations
Article Tier 2

Aminated Carbon Nanofiber-Mediated Nanoconfined Liquid Phase Nanoextraction Coupled with Py-GC/MS for Sensitive Determination of Polystyrene Nanoplastics

Researchers developed a novel method combining aminated carbon nanofiber-based nanoextraction with pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for detecting polystyrene nanoplastics in water. The technique achieved highly sensitive detection of nanoplastics at trace levels, offering a promising tool for monitoring nanoplastic contamination in environmental water samples.

2026
Article Tier 2

Magnetic adsorption-pyrolysis mass spectrometry technology for the capture, separation and quantitative analysis of microplastics from aqueous environments

Researchers developed a Magnetic Adsorption - Electromagnetic Heating - Pyrolysis - Mass Spectrometry (MA-EP-MS) system for the capture, separation, and quantitative analysis of microplastics from aqueous environments. Using nano-ferric oxide as the magnetic adsorbent and polystyrene and PMMA as model microplastics, the system demonstrated effective extraction and identification from complex water matrices.

2025 Talanta
Article Tier 2

Preparation and application of metal-modified biochar in the purification of micro-polystyrene polluted aqueous environment

Researchers developed iron-modified biochar, a charcoal-like material, that can remove over 96% of polystyrene microplastics from water under controlled lab conditions. The material worked well in tap water and lake water but was less effective in heavily polluted water with high levels of organic matter. This type of low-cost water treatment technology could help reduce the amount of microplastics in drinking water, though more work is needed to apply it at larger scales.

2023 Journal of Environmental Management 49 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

Quantitative analysis of nanoplastics in environmental and potable waters by pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Scientists developed and validated a new method to detect and measure nine types of nanoplastics in drinking and environmental water at very low concentrations. They found nanoplastics in every water sample tested, with polyethylene, PET, polypropylene, and polystyrene being the most common at levels up to 1.17 micrograms per liter. This is one of the first studies to quantify nanoplastics in drinking water, confirming that people are regularly exposed through their tap water.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 154 citations
Article Tier 2

Extraction and concentration of nanoplastic particles from aqueous suspensions using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and a magnetic flow cell

Researchers developed a method using hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles to capture and concentrate nanoplastics — plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer — from water samples, achieving recovery rates of 57–85% across different water types including freshwater and seawater. This technique addresses a major gap in nanoplastic research by making it possible to detect and measure these nearly invisible particles in real environmental samples.

2023 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent advances and factors affecting the adsorption of nano/microplastics by magnetic biochar

This review examines recent advances in using magnetic biochar to adsorb nano- and microplastics from aquatic environments. Researchers found that magnetic biochar offers advantages over traditional biochar by enabling easy separation from water using magnets, avoiding secondary pollution from filtration. The study identifies key factors affecting adsorption efficiency and highlights magnetic biochar as a promising tool for microplastic remediation in contaminated water.

2024 Chemosphere 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Routine method for the analysis of microplastics in natural and drinking water by pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Researchers developed a standardized method to measure microplastics in drinking water using a technique called pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. They tested the method on river water, reclaimed water, and tap water in Barcelona, finding microplastic concentrations ranging from 11 to 77 micrograms per liter. Reliable detection methods like this are essential for understanding how much microplastic people are actually consuming through their drinking water.

2024 Journal of Chromatography A 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Cloud-Point Extraction Combined with Thermal Degradation for Nanoplastic Analysis Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a cloud-point extraction method combined with pyrolysis GC-MS to detect and quantify nanoplastics in aqueous samples, achieving detection of particles smaller than those typically measurable with conventional microplastic methods. The technique addresses a critical analytical gap in understanding nanoplastic contamination in water environments.

2018 Analytical Chemistry 202 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of polystyrene nanoplastics from natural organic matter in complex environmental matrices by pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Researchers used pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify polystyrene nanoplastics in environmental samples containing natural organic matter, developing methods to distinguish nanoplastic signals from complex organic background matrices in water.

2023 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Removal of nanoplastics from aqueous solution by aggregation using reusable magnetic biochar modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

CTAB-modified magnetic biochar was synthesized and found to efficiently remove polystyrene nanoplastics from water through electrostatic attraction, with the magnetic component enabling easy separation and reuse across multiple cycles. The composite offers a practical and low-cost approach for nanoplastic remediation from contaminated water.

2022 Environmental Pollution 76 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in wastewater system and their adsorptive removal using CTAB-modified magnetic biochar from aqueous matrices

Microplastics were detected throughout India's wastewater treatment systems, and a modified magnetic biochar was developed that effectively removes them from water, offering a promising low-cost treatment solution.

2023
Article Tier 2

Efficiency of adsorption of PSNPs using spontaneous magnetic biochar prepared from pyrolysis of municipal sludge and industrial red mud solid waste

Researchers prepared a spontaneous magnetic biochar from municipal sludge and industrial red mud waste to remove polystyrene nanoplastics from water. The material achieved a 97.87% removal rate within 30 minutes, with electrostatic interactions identified as the primary adsorption mechanism. The magnetic properties of the biochar enabled easy solid-liquid separation without filtration, offering a practical approach for nanoplastic remediation using waste-derived materials.

2025 Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Efficient removal of microplastics from aqueous solution by a novel magnetic biochar: performance, mechanism, and reusability

Researchers developed a magnetic biochar from rice husks that achieved 99.96% removal of microplastics from water, with the material showing excellent reusability and performance under various environmental conditions.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 90 citations
Article Tier 2

Removal of micro- and nano-plastics from aqueous matrices using modified biochar – A review of synthesis, applications, interaction, and regeneration

This review examines how modified biochar materials can be used to remove micro- and nanoplastics from water. Researchers found that chemical functionalization and nanoparticle integration of biochar significantly improve its ability to capture plastic particles through mechanisms like electrostatic interaction and physical adsorption. The study also highlights challenges in regenerating used biochar for sustainable reuse in water treatment applications.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 13 citations