I am trying to use LDIR system to identify microplastics of different types. However, significant aggregation of microplastics was observed during analysis. Especially for particles with a relatively small sizes (< 500 um), several small particles were identified as one big particle due to aggregation. I am using 70% ethanol to prepare samples (disperse particles onto glass slides). Maybe the use of other solvents would help?
Meng Ke In your technique, it is possible to change the surface structure under the influence of the energy of the laser beam and to partially dissolve the plastic components with ethyl alcohol. In addition, dispersions with small particles without a stabilizer tend to aggregate quickly. Therefore, instead of ethyl alcohol, use water with a surfactant of the cationic or anionic type, depending on the surface charge of the particles.
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