Issue 3, 2024

Submicron- and nanoplastic detection at low micro- to nanogram concentrations using gold nanostar-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates

Abstract

The presence of submicron- (1 μm–100 nm) and nanoplastic (<100 nm) particles within various sample matrices, ranging from marine environments to foods and beverages, has become a topic of increasing interest in recent years. Despite this interest, very few analytical techniques are known that allow for the detection of these small plastic particles in the low concentration ranges that they are anticipated to be present at. Research focused on optimizing surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to enhance signal obtained in Raman spectroscopy has been shown to have great potential for the detection of plastic particles below conventional resolution limits. In this study, we produce SERS substrates composed of gold nanostars and assess their potential for submicron- and nanoplastic detection. The results show 33 nm polystyrene could be detected down to 1.25 μg mL−1 while 36 nm poly(ethylene terephthalate) was detected down to 5 μg mL−1. These results confirm the promising potential of the gold nanostar-based SERS substrates for nanoplastic detection. Furthermore, combined with findings for 121 nm polypropylene and 126 nm polyethylene particles, they highlight potential differences in analytical performance that depend on the properties of the plastics being studied.

Graphical abstract: Submicron- and nanoplastic detection at low micro- to nanogram concentrations using gold nanostar-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 Jūl. 2023
Accepted
29 Nov. 2023
First published
05 Dec. 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2024,11, 1000-1011

Submicron- and nanoplastic detection at low micro- to nanogram concentrations using gold nanostar-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates

J. Caldwell, P. Taladriz-Blanco, L. Rodriguez-Lorenzo, B. Rothen-Rutishauser and A. Petri-Fink, Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2024, 11, 1000 DOI: 10.1039/D3EN00401E

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