Identification and characterisation of individual nanoplastics by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM)
Open accessAbstract
Nanoplastics (NP) are of environmental and human health concern. We tested a novel NP extraction method and scanning transmission X-ray spectro-microscopy (STXM) in combination with near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) to image and identify individual NP in environmental and food matrices. We (1) discussed the potential of STXM compared to other methods potentially suitable for NP analysis, (2) applied the method on NP suspensions of eight of the most common polymers, (3) analyzed environmental water and soil samples spiked with NP and (4) characterized NP in tea water infused in plastic teabags and unspiked soil samples. Here we show that STXM has methodological advantages and that polymers give characteristic spectra, which allows NP identification in environmental and food matrices. For soils we deliver a visual and spectroscopic characterization of NP, proving their presence and highlighting their diversity. Thus, STXM, can be used for the detection and characterisation of NP in different types of matrices.
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References 59 · Cited by 58
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Merkus, H.G., 2009. Particle Size Measurements: Fundamentals, Practice, Quality, Particle Technology Series. Springer, New York?
- Authors
- Foetisch, A., Filella, M., Watts, B., Vinot, L.-H., & Bigalke, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Bern (CH)
- University of Geneva (CH)
- Paul Scherrer Institute (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Bigalke, Moritz
- Venue
- Journal of Hazardous Materials
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2022-03
- Volume
- 426
- Pages
- 127804
- ISSN
- 0304-3894 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3211551594
- Cited by
- 58
- References
- 59
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 7
- FWCI
- 2.11
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Hazardous Materials (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Archive ouverte UNIGE (University of Geneva) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- Technischen Universität Darmstadt (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
- DORA PSI (Paul Scherrer Institute) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Bern Open Repository and Information System (University of Bern) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- TUbilio (Technical University of Darmstadt) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- TUbilio (Technical University of Darmstadt) (submittedVersion)
- Archive ouverte UNIGE (University of Geneva) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Technischen Universität Darmstadt (cc-by)
- Funders
- Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (200021_182672/1)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Radiation › X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
- Keywords
- nanoplastics, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, NEXAFS, polymer characterization, environmental water, soil, tea bags, food matrix, nanoplastic detection
- MeSH terms
- Microplastics, Humans, Microscopy, Soil, X-Rays, X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
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