Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in different water samples (seawater, freshwater, and wastewater): Methodology approach for characterization using micro-FTIR spectroscopy

Researchers developed a standardized methodology for detecting and characterizing small microplastics (10-500 micrometers) in different water types using micro-FTIR spectroscopy. The study tested various sample preparation approaches for seawater, freshwater, and wastewater, establishing reliable protocols for rinsing, digestion, and microplastic collection that can be used to assess treatment plant removal efficiency.

2023 Water Research 67 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel, density-independent and FTIR-compatible approach for the rapid extraction of microplastics from aquatic sediments

Researchers developed a novel extraction method for microplastics from aquatic sediments that does not rely on density separation, making it compatible with FTIR spectroscopy without requiring additional processing steps. The approach could simplify and speed up microplastic analysis in environmental samples.

2017 Analytical Methods 369 citations
Article Tier 2

Optimising sample preparation for FTIR-based microplastic analysis in wastewater and sludge samples: multiple digestions

Researchers optimized sample digestion protocols for FTIR-based microplastic analysis in wastewater and sludge, finding that multiple sequential digestion steps improve removal of organic matter while minimizing polymer degradation.

2021 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 97 citations
Article Tier 2

The pretreatment method in marine organisms and sediment for microplastics analysis by FTIR using “Cylindrical microplastics fractionator”

Researchers compared different chemical pretreatment methods for removing organic matter from marine organisms and sediments before microplastic analysis by infrared spectroscopy, identifying approaches that are effective without destroying the plastic particles. Standardizing sample preparation is critical for producing reliable, comparable microplastic data across studies and laboratories.

2023 MethodsX 8 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel method for purification, quantitative analysis and characterization of microplastic fibers using Micro-FTIR

Researchers developed an improved method for purifying, quantifying, and characterizing microplastic fibers using micro-FTIR spectroscopy, addressing the challenge that fibers are harder to process and identify than other microplastic shapes. The method improvements enable more accurate characterization of this common but technically challenging category of environmental microplastics.

2019 Chemosphere 191 citations
Article Tier 2

Optimizing microplastic analysis through comparative FTIR and raman spectroscopy: Addressing challenges in environmental degradation studies

This study optimized microplastic analysis by comparing FTIR and Raman spectroscopy approaches for identifying degraded polymer particles in environmental samples where photooxidation and mechanical fragmentation have altered spectral signatures. A combined spectroscopy approach outperformed either technique alone for accurately identifying degraded microplastics in complex environmental matrices.

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

Subsampling microplastics for chemical characterization and confirmation: assessing efficiency and discussing reliability risks

Researchers evaluated the efficiency and reliability risks of subsampling strategies for microplastic chemical characterization using FTIR spectroscopy, finding that while subsampling reduces labor-intensive manual transfer steps, it carries inherent risks of sampling bias and reduced representativeness.

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

Insights Into Microplastics Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystem: a Short Review of Sampling and Analysis Methods

This review summarizes current methods for sampling and analyzing microplastics in rivers and estuaries, including techniques like FTIR and Raman spectroscopy for polymer identification. The authors highlight the need for standardized sampling and analysis methods to ensure that microplastic data across different studies are reliable and comparable.

2024 Jurnal Teknologi 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Subsampling microplastics for chemical characterization and confirmation: assessing efficiency and discussing reliability risks

Researchers systematically reviewed subsampling strategies used in microplastic marine contamination studies and assessed how common approaches affect the efficiency and reliability of FTIR-based chemical characterisation. The study identified widespread use of subsampling and evaluated associated risks of sampling bias and inaccurate abundance estimates.

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

Microplastics identification in landfill leachates by different spectroscopic techniques

Researchers compared the performance of FTIR and Raman micro-spectroscopy for identifying microplastics in landfill leachate samples, investigating how different pre-treatment protocols affected analytical outcomes. The study re-examined previously treated leachate samples and tested varying concentrations of pre-treatment reagents on duplicate samples to clarify how sample preparation influences the accuracy of microplastic identification in complex matrices.

2022 Detritus 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparison of μ-ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and py-GCMS as identification tools for microplastic particles and fibers isolated from river sediments

Researchers compared two identification methods — micro-ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and pyrolysis-GC-MS — for characterizing microplastics extracted from river sediments, finding that the methods generally agreed on dominant polymers but differed in sensitivity to certain types. The comparison provides practical guidance for choosing analytical methods in freshwater microplastic monitoring programs.

2018 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 286 citations
Article Tier 2

Analytical tools in advancing microplastics research for identification and quantification across environmental media: from sample to insight

This review surveys analytical techniques used in microplastic research, covering sampling, extraction, and identification methods including FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-GC/MS, highlighting trade-offs between throughput, sensitivity, and particle size detection limits.

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

Analysis of environmental microplastics by vibrational microspectroscopy: FTIR, Raman or both?

This study reviewed analytical methods for environmental microplastic analysis using vibrational microspectroscopy — comparing FTIR, Raman, and related techniques — and provided guidance on method selection for different sample types and research questions.

2016 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 975 citations
Article Tier 2

Validation of an FT-IR microscopy method for the determination of microplastic particles in surface waters

Researchers validated an FT-IR microscopy method for reliably detecting and quantifying microplastic particles in aquatic and solid samples. Validated, standardized analytical methods are essential for producing comparable data across laboratories and building a reliable global picture of microplastic contamination.

2020 MethodsX 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Analytical tools in advancing microplastics research for identification and quantification across environmental media: from sample to insight

Researchers reviewed the analytical tools most commonly used for identifying and quantifying microplastics, focusing on FTIR and Raman spectroscopy as the two primary methods. The review compared their strengths and limitations and provided guidance for choosing between them based on particle size, sample matrix, and research objectives.

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

Sequential combination of micro-FTIR imaging spectroscopy and pyrolysis-GC/MS for microplastic quantification. Application to river sediments

Researchers developed a protocol combining micro-FTIR imaging and pyrolysis-GC/MS for sequential microplastic analysis in river sediments. While both methods showed consistent total mass concentrations across sites, they found discrepancies in polymer proportions due to each method's specific limitations, providing practical recommendations for comparing results across different analytical approaches.

2025 Analytical Methods 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastiche: classificazione, identificazione e rimozione all'interno degli impianti di trattamento delle acque reflue

This Italian-language paper reviews how microplastics are classified, identified using techniques like FTIR spectroscopy, and removed in wastewater treatment plants. Conventional treatment plants remove a substantial portion of microplastics but still allow many particles to pass through into the environment. The review calls for better treatment technologies and standardized methods to assess microplastic removal efficiency.

2021 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Standardization of micro-FTIR methods and applicability for the detection and identification of microplastics in environmental matrices

Researchers worked to standardize micro-FTIR spectroscopy methods for detecting and identifying microplastics as small as 20 micrometers across different environmental samples. They tested reflection and transmission modes against known polymer standards and validated the approach on real-world water, sediment, and biological samples. The study provides a reproducible methodology that could help make microplastic measurements more consistent and comparable across laboratories.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 131 citations
Article Tier 2

Refined Analysis of Microplastics: Integrating Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy

This study optimized the use of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy for characterizing microplastics in aquatic environments, finding that integrating both techniques improves identification accuracy and physicochemical characterization.

2025 Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências
Article Tier 2

A Comparison of Different Approaches for Characterizing Microplastics in Selected Personal Care Products

Researchers compared particle size analysis, light microscopy, and imaging flow cytometry combined with micro-FTIR spectroscopy for characterizing microplastics in personal care products, finding that methodology choice significantly affects quantification results and highlighting the need for standardized approaches.

2021 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics monitoring in different environments: separation, physicochemical characterization, and quantification

Researchers systematically monitored microplastic contamination across multiple environments including a wastewater treatment plant, surrounding water bodies, and soils near plastic factories, characterizing shape, size, color, and polymer composition via microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. They found fragments and fibers to be the most common microplastic shapes in water environments and documented simultaneous contamination across all sampled matrices.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Article Tier 2

Recent perspectives of microplastic analysis from sampling to characterization

Researchers reviewed the full workflow for detecting and identifying microplastics across different environments — water, sediment, wildlife, and wastewater — comparing sample preparation methods and analytical tools like infrared and Raman spectroscopy. They found that inconsistent methods across studies make it hard to compare results, and call for more standardized protocols to improve the reliability of microplastic monitoring.

2025 Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Small microplastic particles in Lake Superior: A preliminary study coupling Nile red staining, flow cytometry and pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A preliminary study coupled Nile Red staining with micro-FTIR to detect and characterize small microplastic particles (less than 10 micrometers) in Lake Superior, demonstrating the feasibility of the combined approach for analyzing the smallest and most challenging MP size classes.

2023 Limnology and Oceanography Methods 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Not one-size-fits-all: µ-FTIR and pyrolysis GC-MS for complementary analysis of microplastics in eutrophic surface water.

Researchers applied a combined stereomicroscopy, micro-FTIR, and pyrolysis GC-MS workflow to surface water samples from Lake Victoria, finding polyethylene and polypropylene as dominant polymers by particle count while pyrolysis GC-MS quantified seven additional polymers — including nylons and PET — largely invisible to FTIR, demonstrating the complementary value of both techniques.

2026 Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry