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Detection and Quantification of Nonlabeled Polystyrene Nanoparticles Using a Fluorescent Molecular Rotor
Angélique Moraz1, Florian Breider1
1Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne - EPFL, Central Environmental Laboratory, ENAC, IIE, Station 2, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.
Analytical Chemistry
|November 4, 2021
Summary
A new fluorescence method using DCVJ effectively detects and quantifies nanoplastics (NPs) in water and biological samples. This breakthrough offers a vital tool for understanding the environmental impact of these pervasive plastic pollutants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Plastic pollution, particularly nanoplastics (NPs), poses a significant threat to ecosystems due to their ability to cross biological barriers.
- Current analytical methods for NP detection and quantification are limited, hindering research and environmental monitoring.
- Understanding NP behavior and impact requires sensitive and reliable detection techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel fluorescence-based method for detecting and quantifying polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNs).
- To assess the method's performance in various matrices, including pure water and biological samples.
- To provide a new analytical tool for NP research and environmental risk assessment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 9-(2,2-dicyanovinyl)julolidine (DCVJ), a fluorescent molecular rotor (FMR), which exhibits environment-dependent fluorescence quantum yield.
- Applied a fluorescence spectroscopy technique, exciting the probe at 450 nm and monitoring spectral changes in the presence of PSNs.
- Assessed the method's robustness by varying parameters, matrix complexity, and PSN characteristics (e.g., 49 nm and 100 nm polystyrene beads).
Main Results:
- The DCVJ fluorescence method successfully detected and quantified PSNs, with a distinct spectral shift observed in their presence.
- In pure water, limits of detection and quantification for 49 nm PSNs were in the μg·L⁻¹ and mg·L⁻¹ ranges, respectively.
- The method demonstrated feasibility in quantifying PSNs in radish sprouts, though challenges were noted with mussel tissues.
Conclusions:
- The developed DCVJ fluorescence method is a feasible and promising approach for quantifying nanoplastics.
- This technique offers new perspectives for addressing the challenges in NP detection and analysis in environmental and biological matrices.
- The study highlights the urgent need for advanced analytical tools to monitor and mitigate nanoplastic pollution.
