Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
10:12
Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis
Published on: July 1, 2017
11.6K
Determination of polyurethanes within microplastics in complex environmental samples by analytical pyrolysis
Irene Coralli1, Isabel Goßmann2, Daniele Fabbri3
1Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Tecnopolo Di Rimini, Rimini, Italy.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|February 27, 2023
Summary
This study analyzed polyurethane (PUR) microplastics using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Thermochemolysis with TMAH improved analysis, showing MDI-based PUR presence near a plastic plant, while TDI markers were undetected.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Polyurethanes (PUR) are widely used polymers, leading to their investigation as microplastics (MP).
- Reliable methods for detecting and quantifying PUR in environmental samples are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) method for PUR microplastic analysis.
- To assess the feasibility of using specific pyrolysis products as reliable indicators of PUR content.
- To investigate the environmental distribution of PUR microplastics, focusing on MDI- and TDI-based subclasses.
Main Methods:
- Direct pyrolysis and thermochemolysis with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) of various PUR.
- Identification of distinct pyrolytic indicators for MDI- and TDI-based PUR.
- Application of the optimized method to environmental samples (road dust, spider webs) near a plastic processing plant.
Main Results:
- Thermochemolysis with TMAH significantly reduced matrix interference and improved PUR analyte detection.
- Quantification of MDI-PUR subclasses showed good accuracy using a single representative calibration.
- MDI-PUR microplastics were detected in environmental samples, with abundance correlated to proximity to a potential source.
- TDI-based PUR markers were not detected in the analyzed environmental samples.
Conclusions:
- Py-GC-MS with TMAH thermochemolysis is a reliable method for PUR microplastic analysis.
- MDI-based PUR microplastics are present in urban environments and their distribution is influenced by proximity to emission sources.
- Further research may be needed to detect TDI-based PUR microplastics in environmental matrices.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Determination of Molar Masses of Polymers I
Polymerization produces macromolecules with a range of chain lengths due to the random nature of molecular growth processes. As chains form and terminate at different stages, a single polymer sample contains molecules of varying sizes rather than a uniform structure. This variability is described using average molar masses and distribution-related parameters, which together provide a comprehensive understanding of polymer characteristics.The distribution of molar masses plays a critical role in...
01:27Bioplastics
Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...
01:28Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a synthetic polymer widely utilized in the packaging industry, particularly for bottles and containers. Due to its chemical stability and durability, PET accumulates in the environment, contributing significantly to plastic pollution. It comprises repeating units of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, resulting in a semi-crystalline structure that is resistant to natural degradation processes.A notable breakthrough in plastic biodegradation came with the...
01:27Determination of Molar Masses of Polymers II
Polymer samples typically consist of macromolecular chains with a distribution of lengths, resulting in a range of molar masses rather than a single discrete value. Conventional descriptors such as the number-average molar mass and weight-average molar mass quantify this distribution but do not fully capture polymer behavior in solution..The viscosity-average molar mass provides a more realistic description of polymer behavior in solution because it accounts for the enhanced contribution of...