Dear researchers,
I need standard protocols for determining the chemical composition of the following microplastics and microplastic additives in water, fish and sediment:
1). Polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE)
2). Polypropylene
3). Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
4). Polyethylene terephthalate
5). Polyurethanes
6). Phthalate
7). Bisphenol A
8). Triazine
First it can be classified by flotation in soap water solution, only HDPE,LDPE, and PP can be floated in the surface. The other not
Then we can the type of polymer by the behavior when it is burn in the flame ,such as the the color of the flame, smell of the flame and the effect of vapor on the pH paper. finally the IR chart
You are talking about two different things: the first five items in your list are types of plastics, while the last three are additives
For the types of plastics I agree with Abouelfotouh, probably you can make a first gross classification by flotation and then, if you have FTIR, you can confirm the specific identity of each microplastic
The additives are harder, as usually they are present in very low concentrations. One way to measure them is by doing a extraction, that separates them from the plastic surface into a liquid phase. Then you have to test that solution for the presence of the additive, which is generally done by Mass spectroscopy coupled to cromatography.
Adetola Olatunji-Ojo
I guess your goal is a focus on the hazardous substances. Through FTIR you can have just a qualitative approach and the concentration of some additives is so low you cannot even see them.
The best way avoiding any separation is PY-GC-MS. Here you can find a paper explaining the instruments and methods.
https://assets.thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets/CMD/Application-Notes/an-10643-gc-ms-microplastics-biological-matrix-an10643-en.pdf
The PY-GC-MS permits the identification of the plastics and the determination of some contained additives as such as plasticizers, antioxidants, light stabilizes etc.. present in plastics. You can easily detect and quantify hazardous substances as such as BBP, DOP, DIBP, BPA.
You can complete the information using XRF
Some plastics as such as PVC can contain hazardous metals like Pb, Cd, moreover the old generation compounds. In EU we banned the use of stabilizers containing Pb, and Cd, but the old wastes can contain both.
The micro-plastics are really a big problem and it is positive people like you explores ways to detect them and see what impact they can have on environment
Good luck
Gianluca
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