Comprehensive analysis of common polymers using hyphenated TGA-FTIR-GC/MS and Raman spectroscopy towards a database...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) contamination is a growing global concern, leading to increased research.
• Standardized analytical methods for MNP identification and quantification in environmental samples are lacking.
• Public and scientific interest in environmental, ecological, and human exposure to MNPs is rapidly increasing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a baseline reference dataset for identifying and quantifying common environmental MNPs.
• To optimize analytical parameters for TGA-FTIR-GC/MS data acquisition for MNP analysis.
• To develop a comprehensive, curated public database for MNP identification and mixture analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) coupled with Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
• Acquired corresponding Raman spectral data for 35 common plastics across 12 polymer types.
• Optimized TGA-FTIR-GC/MS parameters and analyzed commercial plastic products.

Main Results:

• Generated comprehensive datasets for 12 common polymer types, serving as a reference for MNP identification and quantification.
• Successfully identified compositions of commercial consumer plastic products using the analytical database.
• Demonstrated the method's utility for analyzing polymer mixtures through case studies.

Conclusions:

• The developed analytical approach and datasets provide a foundation for standardized MNP identification and quantification.
• The comprehensive dataset supports the creation of a collaborative, global public database for MNPs.
• This work addresses a critical knowledge gap in environmental MNP analysis, aiding future research and policy development.