Targeted Analysis of Microplastics Using Discrete Frequency Infrared Imaging

An analytical strategy to improve sample throughput with discrete frequency infrared image-based targeted analysis of microplastics using a laser direct infrared chemical imaging system was successfully developed and implemented. Leveraging a quantum cascade laser as a light source, the system could...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Analytical chemistry (Washington) 2022-02, Vol.94 (7), p.3029-3034
Main Authors: Liu, Guangyu, Hua, Yujuan, Gras, Ronda, Luong, Jim
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytical chemistry
Chemistry
Environmental Monitoring
Image processing
Imaging techniques
Infrared analysis
Infrared imagery
Infrared imaging
Infrared lasers
Lasers
Light sources
Microplastics
Plastic pollution
Plastics - analysis
Polyethylene
Polyethylenes
Quantum cascade lasers
Scanning
Strategy
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Wavelengths
Workflow
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Summary:An analytical strategy to improve sample throughput with discrete frequency infrared image-based targeted analysis of microplastics using a laser direct infrared chemical imaging system was successfully developed and implemented. Leveraging a quantum cascade laser as a light source, the system could lock the frequency at predetermined wavelengths and use a discrete frequency infrared imaging technique to identify particles with absorption at desired wavelengths. In this way, targeted analysis can be achieved by selectively characterizing these particles. In the concept demonstration study, the targeted analysis was able to identify 87.7% of spiked polyethylene particles by scanning only 20% of the particles in the sample. The technique substantially improves sample throughput by at least a factor of 4 under conditions used. In the tests performed with real environmental samples, the targeted analysis workflow correctly identified eight types of common microplastics by only investigating around 60% of the particles and less than 30% of the sample area. Results obtained demonstrated that this scanning strategy is a game changer to enhance sample throughput in microplastic analysis. The technique has the potential of being applied to other infrared-based analytical platforms
ISSN:0003-2700
1520-6882
DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04569