Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

A novel proof of concept approach towards generating reference microplastic particles

This paper presented a proof-of-concept approach for generating standardized reference microplastic particles to improve comparability across analytical methods. The lack of consistent reference materials has been a key barrier to producing reliable and comparable microplastic research data.

2024 EPub Bayreuth (University of Bayreuth)
Article Tier 2

Development of new microplastic reference particles for usage in pre-defined numbers

This study developed new microplastic reference particles with defined numbers of particles per unit, addressing the lack of standardized reference materials that has hampered comparability across microplastic research studies and analytical methods.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Do We Speak the Same Language for Reference Particles in Microplastic Research?

This paper argues that the microplastics research community lacks agreement on standardized reference particles for laboratory experiments, making it difficult to compare results across studies. The authors call for consensus on definitions and materials to improve the reproducibility and policy relevance of microplastic research.

2022 Microplastics 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Innovative reference materials for method validation in microplastic analysis including interlaboratory comparison exercises

Researchers developed innovative reference materials for validating microplastic analysis methods, presenting interlaboratory comparison results that support quality assurance and standardization in the growing field of microplastic detection.

2023 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 39 citations
Article Tier 2

New approach to produce accelerated aged microplastics standard

Researchers developed a new approach to produce accelerated-aged microplastic reference standards that more closely resemble environmentally weathered particles, accounting for the range of polymer types, shapes, sizes, and degradation conditions that determine real-world microplastic properties.

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

The use of reference material in microplastic research: general aspects

This paper discussed general considerations for using certified reference materials in microplastic research, arguing that standardized reference materials are essential for ensuring that measurements are reproducible and comparable across different laboratories and studies. The lack of such standards remains a major limitation in the field.

2017
Article Tier 2

Reference materials for microplastics in environmental matrices

This paper discussed the development and use of reference materials for microplastic analysis in environmental matrices, addressing the urgent need for calibration standards to ensure comparable and reliable measurements across different laboratories. Standardized reference materials are a foundational requirement for credible, policy-relevant microplastic monitoring.

2018
Article Tier 2

Developing environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics to assess removal efficiencies in wastewater treatment processes

Researchers developed a cheap, reproducible method to produce microplastic and nanoplastic particles that closely mimic what is found in real-world environments, then used these particles to test how well wastewater treatment plants remove them. Having standardized test particles is critical because inconsistent methods across studies have made it hard to compare removal efficiencies and improve treatment technologies.

2024 Environmental Science Nano 3 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

Preparation of a reference material for microplastics in water—evaluation of homogeneity

Researchers developed a candidate reference material for microplastics in water and evaluated its homogeneity, finding it suitable for use in laboratory intercomparison studies and as a tool for validating microplastic analytical methods.

2021 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 65 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

A novel method for preparing microplastic fibers

Researchers developed a reproducible laboratory method for generating microplastic fibers from commercial textiles for use in controlled exposure experiments. The method addresses a major gap in ecotoxicology research: unlike spherical microbeads, fibers cannot be purchased commercially, limiting their use in standardized toxicity testing.

2016 Scientific Reports 319 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation and Analysis of Standard Microplastics

Researchers prepared and characterized standard microplastic samples from synthetic textiles, finding that microfilaments shed by fabrics are the dominant form and proposing methods for creating consistent reference materials for environmental monitoring studies.

2022 Environmental sciences 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Are we really producing environmentally relevant reference materials for microplastic studies?

This study critically evaluated whether current laboratory-produced microplastic reference materials adequately represent the properties of microplastics found in real environments, examining particle morphology, chemical composition, and surface characteristics. Significant gaps were identified between commercially available reference materials and environmentally relevant particles, limiting the ecological realism of ecotoxicology studies.

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

Are we really producing environmentally relevant reference materials for microplastic studies?

This study evaluated whether laboratory-produced microplastic reference materials used in research adequately represent the physical and chemical properties of particles found in natural environments. Results found substantial differences between commercially available reference materials and environmentally weathered microplastics, undermining the ecological relevance of studies using pristine materials.

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

New approach to produce accelerated aged microplastics standard

Researchers developed a new approach to produce accelerated aged microplastic standard materials by subjecting polymer particles to simulated weathering conditions, generating reference materials that more accurately reflect the degraded chemical and physical properties of microplastics found in real environmental samples.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

A New Class of Reference Material: Additivly Manufactured Monodisperse Number Accurate Microplastic Reference Material through Microextrusion

Researchers developed a new method for producing microplastic reference materials with precise, known sizes and quantities — a critical need for standardizing how scientists measure and compare microplastics across different studies. Using a microextrusion process with specialized nozzles, they produced batches of 1,000 uniform particles in about one hour from a range of plastics including LDPE, nylon, PLA, and PMMA, with particle diameters between 224 and 1,349 micrometers. Lack of standardized reference materials has been a persistent bottleneck in microplastics research; having reliable, reproducible standards will improve the quality and comparability of future studies. This is a technical but important methodological advance for the field.

2025 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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

This review highlights the critical shortage of well-characterized, environmentally relevant reference materials for studying small microplastics and nanoplastics. Most laboratory studies use commercially available spherical particles that do not represent the irregular, weathered particles found in nature. The authors call for developing standardized reference materials that better mimic real-world microplastic contamination to improve the reliability of exposure and hazard assessments.

2025 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation of polystyrene microplastic particles by solvent-dissolution-precipitation

Researchers developed a controlled laboratory method to produce polystyrene microplastic particles in specific sizes ranging from 0.35 to 52 microns by dissolving and re-precipitating polystyrene in solvents, creating reference materials that closely mimic environmental microplastics. These standardized particles are essential for calibrating detection methods and conducting reliable toxicology research on microplastic health effects.

2024 Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic and nanoplastic analysis methods, tests and reference materials

Researchers examined current microplastic analysis methods, reference tests, and reference materials, highlighting the limitations of manual counting approaches and evaluating alternatives to enable more scalable, consistent, and cost-effective monitoring of plastic litter accumulation in ocean environments.

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

Immobilised microplastic particle models for method evaluations and laboratory ring trials in the lower micrometer size ranges

Researchers developed immobilized microplastic particle models in the lower micrometer size range for use as reference standards in laboratory method evaluations and ring trials, addressing the critical need for standardized materials to validate microplastic detection and quantification methods.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

Protocol for the production of micro- and nanoplastic test materials

Scientists created a standardized protocol for producing well-characterized micro and nanoplastic test materials from polypropylene and PVC for use in health research. Current studies often use commercially available plastic beads that do not resemble real-world microplastics, making results hard to interpret. Having realistic, standardized test materials will improve the quality and comparability of future research on microplastic health effects.

2023 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 31 citations