Visualization and (Semi-)quantification of submicrometer plastics through scanning electron microscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

Shih Hsuan Chou, Yung Kun Chuang, Chi Ming Lee, Yu Shan Chang, Ya Jhu Jhang, Ching Wen Yeh, Tai Sing Wu, Chun Yu Chuang, I. Lun Hsiao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Increasing numbers of studies have demonstrated the existence of nanoplastics (1–999 nm) in the environment and commercial products, but the current technologies for detecting and quantifying nanoplastics are still developing. Herein, we present a combination of two techniques, e.g., scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), to analyze submicron-sized plastics. A drop-casting of a 20-nL particle suspension on a Piranha solution-cleaned silicon wafer with dry ice incubation and subsequent freeze-drying was used to suppress the coffee-ring effect. SEM images were used to quantify particles, and this technique is applicable for 0.195–1.04-μm polystyrene (PS), 0.311-μm polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and 0.344-μm polyethylene (PE) at a minimum concentration of 2.49 × 109 particles/mL. ToF-SIMS could not quantify the particle number, while it could semi-quantitatively estimate number ratios of submicron PE, PET, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and PS particles in the mixture. Analysis of submicron plastics released from three hot water-steeped teabags (respectively made of PET/PE, polylactic acid (PLA), and PET) was revisited. The SEM-derived sizes and particle numbers were comparable to those measured by a nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) regardless of whether or not the hydro-soluble oligomers were removed. ToF-SIMS further confirmed the number ratios of different particles from a PET/PE composite teabag leachate. This method shows potential for application in analyzing more-complex plastic particles released from food contact materials.

Original languageEnglish
Article number118964
JournalEnvironmental Pollution
Volume300
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2022

Keywords

  • Coffee-ring effect
  • Nanoparticle tracking analysis
  • Nanoplastics
  • Tea bags
  • ToF-SIMS

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Toxicology
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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