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Recent developments in mass spectrometry for the characterization of micro- and nanoscale plastic debris in the environment

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Abstract

Development of analytical methods for the characterization (particle size determination, identification, and quantification) of the micro- and nanoscale plastic debris in the environment is a quickly emerging field and has gained considerable attention, not only within the scientific community, but also on the part of policy makers and the general public. In this Trends paper, the importance of developing and further improving analytical methodologies for the detection and characterization of sub-20-μm-range microplastics and especially nanoplastics is highlighted. A short overview of analytical methodologies showing considerable promise for the detection and characterization of such micro- and nanoscale plastic debris is provided, with emphasis on recent developments in mass spectrometry (MS)–based analytical methods. Novel hyphenated techniques combining the strengths of different analytical methods, such as field flow fractionation and MS-based detection, may be a way to adequately address the smallest fractions in plastic debris analysis, making such approaches worthwhile to be further explored.

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Abbreviations

(sp)-ICP-MS:

(Single-particle) inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

μRaman:

Raman microspectroscopy

AFM:

Atomic force microscopy

CE:

Capillary electrophoresis

DLS:

Dynamic light scattering

FTIR:

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

HDC:

Hydrodynamic chromatography

MALDI-TOF-MS :

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

MALS:

Multi-angle light scattering

MPs:

Microplastics

NPs:

Nanoplastics

NTA:

Nanoparticle tracking analysis

PA:

Polyamide

PE:

Polyethylene

PET:

Polyethylene terephthalate

PP:

Polypropylene

PS:

Polystyrene

PVC:

Polyvinyl chloride

Pyr-GC-MS:

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometry

SEC:

Size exclusion chromatography

STM:

Scanning tunneling microscopy

TD-PTR-(TOF)-MS:

Thermal desorption–proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry

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Funding

M.V. is a senior postdoctoral fellow of the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO 12ZD120N).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Atomic & Mass Spectrometry – A&MS Research Group, Ghent University, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281-S12, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Milica Velimirovic & Frank Vanhaecke

  2. Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Sustainable Chemistry, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium

    Milica Velimirovic, Kristof Tirez & Stefan Voorspoels

Authors
  1. Milica Velimirovic
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  2. Kristof Tirez
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  3. Stefan Voorspoels
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  4. Frank Vanhaecke
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Correspondence to Frank Vanhaecke.

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Velimirovic, M., Tirez, K., Voorspoels, S. et al. Recent developments in mass spectrometry for the characterization of micro- and nanoscale plastic debris in the environment. Anal Bioanal Chem 413, 7–15 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-020-02898-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-020-02898-w

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