Physicochemical Characterization and Quantification of Nanoplastics: Challenges, Advanced Methods and Perspectives
- at -
- ICM Saal 3
- Type: Lecture
Lecture description
problematic particulate pollutant more than 10 years ago, NPLs have turned into focus of science and industry only recently. NPLs are expected to have greater ecotoxicological impacts as MPs, since these tiny particles may penetrate through cell
membranes. This underlines the necessity for the development, optimization, validation and standardization of methods suitable for the analysis of NPLs. Here, the methods established for the analysis of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) could serve as a basis. However, these tools are not fully fit for the purpose. While ENPs are mostly inorganic, NPLs are mainly carbon-based with low or no crystallinity. Thus, by the analysis of NPLs we are facing a considerable methodological gap. Similar to MPs, the NPL
particles are diverse and have a high variety of physicochemical characteristics (e.g., polymer type, size, surface properties, etc.), hence, the experience from the realm of MPs is essential for NPL studies. However, the methods developed for the MP analysis
can be only partially transferred to NPLs due to their small masses and sizes. [1]
In this presentation challenges and perspectives in physicochemical characterization and quantification of NPLs will be discussed. To ensure comparability between studies on NPLs, it is essential to perform inter-comparison of various methods. Here, the feasibility of different separation/fractionation methods such as field-flow fractionation (FFF) – multi-angle light scattering (MALS) for analysis of NPL size, shape, and quantification of particles will be addressed in comparison with batch methods, including dynamic light scattering (DLS) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). [2] Additionally, the potential of FFF techniques (asymmetrical flow FFF and centrifugal FFF) combined with Raman microspectroscopy (RM) [2,3] or pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (pyGC-MS) [2] for the chemical characterization of nanoplastics will be presented. Finally, the potential of further advanced methods (stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy, [4] optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy (O-PTIR), etc.) will be discussed.
Literature:
[1] N. P. Ivleva, Chem. Rev. 2021, 121, 11886.
[2] M. J. Huber et al., Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2023, 415, 3007.
[3] S. Giordani et al., Anal. Chem. 2025, 98, 488.
[4] M. J. Huber et al., Anal. Chem. 2024, 96, 8949.
