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Home / Applications / Microplastics Identification by IR Imaging Measurement

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  • Technique

Microplastics Identification by IR Imaging Measurement

By Carlos Morillo

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April 25, 2024

Introduction

FTIR-6000Plastic debris in marine environment has become a serious concern in recent years, impacting health & safety and environmental ecosystems. Microplastics have been found in fish, shellfish, bottled water and more recently salt from marine sources. Microplastics are generally defined as particles smaller than 5 mm. The amount, type of plastic and impact on natural ecosystem are actively being investigated. These plastics, which are difficult to observe by the naked eye, are assumed to originate from additives in cosmetics, such as facial cleansers, toothpastes, or from the break up of larger plastic materials during long periods of drifting in the oceans.

The objective of this application note is to demonstrate IR microscopy as an effective and rapid assessment tool to identify and characterize microplastics in water. Using IR microscopy, microplastics can be measured without elaborated pretreatment, and the type of plastic can be easily identified using FTIR databases. In addition, using IR imaging, it is possible to calculate the distribution ratio and measure the particle size.

Experimental

Microplastics in water were collected in a filter (material: Teflon), and IR imaging measurement was carried out. The measurement conditions are as follows.

InstrumentsFT/IR-6600 Fourier transform infrared spectrometer
IRT-7200 Multichannel infrared microscope
Measurement ModeTransmission
DetectorLinear array detector
Resolution8 cm -1
Accumulation16 times
Measurement Area800 x 800 µm
Measurement Points64 x 64 points
Measurement TimeAbout 15 minutes

Keywords

100-MT-0256, Microplastics

Results

Representative spectra and database search results
Figure 1 Representative spectra and database search results
Microscopic observation image
Figure 2 Microscopic observation image

Fig. 1 shows spectra obtained by IR imaging measurement with database search results, Fig. 2 is the microscopic image of the measured area and Fig. 3 is the chemical image created from the key band peaks indicated by red and green arrows.

As a result of the database search, it was found that the plastics in the microscope image are polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).  A Teflon peak was also detected in the spectrum this was from the Teflon sampling filter. The distribution of each plastic component was shown by creating a chemical image from key functional groups.

Chemical image of microplastics
Figure 3 Chemical image

Conclusion

Two different type of plastics were identified using IR imaging measurement.

Currently, microplastics are generally defined as particles of less than 5 mm, but analysis of microplastics at even smaller sizes is also required. The measurement with IR microscopy is typically recommended for particles  of more than 10 µm, and Raman microscopy is more effective for particles smaller than 10 µm.

JASCO has developed a convenient accessory called IQ frame that can measure exactly the same observed area easily and quickly with both IR and Raman microscopes, the combination of these complementary analytical techniques is expected to become an effective analysis methodology.

This document has been prepared based on information available at the time of publication and is subject to revision without notice. Although the contents are checked with the utmost care, we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. JASCO Corporation assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any information contained in this document. Copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document remain the property of JASCO Corporation. Please do not attempt to copy, modify, redistribute, or sell etc. in whole or in part without prior written permission.

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About the Author

Dr. Carlos Morillo received his Post Doc at Advanced Industrial Science & Technology in Fukuoka and was a Research Scientist at Kyushu University in Japan where he lived for several years. Carlos received his Doctor of Engineering from Kyushu University and his Masters and BS from Simon Bolivar University in Caracas Venezuela. He is an Applications Scientist at JASCO.

JASCO Application Note

Microplastics Identification by IR Imaging Measurement

Introduction

FTIR-6000Plastic debris in marine environment has become a serious concern in recent years, impacting health & safety and environmental ecosystems. Microplastics have been found in fish, shellfish, bottled water and more recently salt from marine sources. Microplastics are generally defined as particles smaller than 5 mm. The amount, type of plastic and impact on natural ecosystem are actively being investigated. These plastics, which are difficult to observe by the naked eye, are assumed to originate from additives in cosmetics, such as facial cleansers, toothpastes, or from the break up of larger plastic materials during long periods of drifting in the oceans.

The objective of this application note is to demonstrate IR microscopy as an effective and rapid assessment tool to identify and characterize microplastics in water. Using IR microscopy, microplastics can be measured without elaborated pretreatment, and the type of plastic can be easily identified using FTIR databases. In addition, using IR imaging, it is possible to calculate the distribution ratio and measure the particle size.

Experimental

Microplastics in water were collected in a filter (material: Teflon), and IR imaging measurement was carried out. The measurement conditions are as follows.

InstrumentsFT/IR-6600 Fourier transform infrared spectrometer
IRT-7200 Multichannel infrared microscope
Measurement ModeTransmission
DetectorLinear array detector
Resolution8 cm -1
Accumulation16 times
Measurement Area800 x 800 µm
Measurement Points64 x 64 points
Measurement TimeAbout 15 minutes

Results

Representative spectra and database search results
Figure 1 Representative spectra and database search results
Microscopic observation image
Figure 2 Microscopic observation image

Fig. 1 shows spectra obtained by IR imaging measurement with database search results, Fig. 2 is the microscopic image of the measured area and Fig. 3 is the chemical image created from the key band peaks indicated by red and green arrows.

As a result of the database search, it was found that the plastics in the microscope image are polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).  A Teflon peak was also detected in the spectrum this was from the Teflon sampling filter. The distribution of each plastic component was shown by creating a chemical image from key functional groups.

Chemical image of microplastics
Figure 3 Chemical image

Conclusion

Two different type of plastics were identified using IR imaging measurement.

Currently, microplastics are generally defined as particles of less than 5 mm, but analysis of microplastics at even smaller sizes is also required. The measurement with IR microscopy is typically recommended for particles  of more than 10 µm, and Raman microscopy is more effective for particles smaller than 10 µm.

JASCO has developed a convenient accessory called IQ frame that can measure exactly the same observed area easily and quickly with both IR and Raman microscopes, the combination of these complementary analytical techniques is expected to become an effective analysis methodology.

Keywords

100-MT-0256, Microplastics

This document has been prepared based on information available at the time of publication and is subject to revision without notice. Although the contents are checked with the utmost care, we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. JASCO Corporation assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any information contained in this document. Copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document remain the property of JASCO Corporation. Please do not attempt to copy, modify, redistribute, or sell etc. in whole or in part without prior written permission.
28600 Mary’s Court, Easton, MD 21601 USA • (800) 333-5272 • Fax: (410) 822-7526 • jascoinc.com/applications

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