For FTIR KBr pellet methods in microplastic studies, the detection coefficient is best treated as a mass-based calibration factor derived from absorbance versus known polymer mass fractions in pellets, corrected for recovery. This approach allows reliable quantification by correlating spectral data with polymer mass rather than particle counts.

Dear friend Rahat Mostofa Prantor

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to follow up on our recent discussions regarding the calculation of the detection coefficient in your microplastic carbon storage research.

To start, it’s important to clarify the primary purpose of the detection coefficient in your work: quantifying the carbon storage capacity of microplastics by linking FTIR data to known carbon quantities. With this in mind, considering the differences between micro-FTIR mapping and FTIR KBr pellet methods is crucial, as each offers distinct advantages in terms of spatial resolution and bulk analysis, respectively.

A key consideration is whether a mass-based calibration factor or a particle-based detection efficiency would more accurately reflect carbon storage in your context. Are you aiming to measure total carbon content, or is the efficiency of detecting individual particles more relevant to your objectives? Additionally, recovery rates can significantly influence your detection coefficient, so it’s worth considering how to adjust for any potential losses during analysis.

I encourage you to review existing methodologies or standards for FTIR calibration in microplastic analysis, as these may offer valuable guidance. Validating your chosen approach—perhaps by comparing results with known standards or through targeted experiments—will also be essential to ensure reliability and accuracy.

Please let me know if you’d like to discuss these questions further or if you need support in reviewing relevant literature. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and helping you refine your methodology.

Best regards,

Kaushik