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Using Infrared Photothermal Heterodyne Imaging to Characterize Micro- and Nanoplastics in Complex Environmental

Kirill Kniazev¹, Ilia M Pavlovetc¹, Shuang Zhang²

¹Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States.

Environmental Science & Technology

|November 8, 2021

Summary

A new super-resolution infrared imaging technique, IR-PHI, precisely characterizes micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in complex samples. This method identifies MNP chemical identity, morphology, and quantity without special preparation.

Keywords:

FTIR IR-PHI elastomer environment infrared infrared photothermal heterodyne imaging microplastics microscopy mid-infrared nanoplastics photothermal plastics polymer spectroscopy super-resolution

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Analytical Chemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Characterizing micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in complex environmental matrices is challenging.
Existing techniques like FTIR lack the resolution and specificity for MNPs in complex settings.
A need exists for advanced methods to analyze MNP chemical properties, morphology, and quantity.

Purpose of the Study:

Introduce and validate a novel super-resolution infrared absorption technique, Infrared Photothermal Heterodyne Imaging (IR-PHI).
Demonstrate IR-PHI's capability to characterize MNPs in complex samples with high spatial resolution (∼300 nm).
Assess MNP changes and identify MNP types in environmental samples like tea bags and road dust.

Main Methods:

Utilized Infrared Photothermal Heterodyne Imaging (IR-PHI) for super-resolution infrared absorption analysis.
Analyzed MNPs from nylon tea bags steeped in water at 25 °C and 95 °C.
Investigated MNPs within sieved road dust samples under ambient conditions.

Main Results:

IR-PHI quantified MNPs from nylon tea bags, revealing fiber-like structures at 25 °C.
Observed nylon degradation at 95 °C, indicated by altered IR frequencies and morphology (fiber-like to quasi-spherical).
Identified <3 μm MNPs composed of rubber and nylon in road dust samples.

Conclusions:

IR-PHI offers high sensitivity and spatial resolution for MNP characterization in complex matrices.
The technique successfully identified chemical and morphological changes in MNPs due to environmental factors.
IR-PHI is a powerful tool for analyzing MNPs in diverse environmental samples without extensive sample preparation.