Application of Atomic Force Microscopy-Infrared for Single Micro- and Nanoplastics

doi:10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.250073

Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (8): 1070-1077.DOI: 10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.250073

• Full Papers • Previous Articles Next Articles

Application of Atomic Force Microscopy-Infrared for Single Micro- and Nanoplastics

Hui-Yao FANG¹^,², Yuan LIN¹(), Zhao-Hui SU¹^,²()

^1.State Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology，Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry，Chinese Academy of Sciences，Changchun 130022，China
^2.School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering，University of Science and Technology of China，Hefei 230026，China

Received:2025-02-25 Accepted:2025-05-26 Published:2025-08-01 Online:2025-08-11
Contact: Yuan LIN,Zhao-Hui SU
About author:linyuan@ciac.ac.cn
Supported by:
the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52073277)

Abstract

Abstract:

As emerging pollutants the recognition and identification of micro/nano plastic particles has received extensive attention. In this study， atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy （AFM-IR） was employed to characterize and analyze individual polypropylene （PP） micro- and nanoplastic particles prepared by grinding. The results demonstrate that AFM-IR not only precisely characterizes the morphology and size distribution of individual PP particles but also accurately resolves their chemical composition through infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore， AFM-IR was utilized to analyze aged microplastics and nanoplastics collected from beach environments， successfully identifying the presence of PP and polydimethylsiloxane （PDMS） particles. Additionally， the observation of a CO absorption peak at 1720 cm^-1 in the infrared spectra indicates oxidation reactions in aged microplastics， revealing significant differences compared to the spectral features of unaged plastics. This study provides a novel approach for the high-precision detection of microplastics and nanoplastics and lays a technical foundation for assessing their environmental behavior and ecological risks.

Key words: Polypropylene, Microplastic, Nanoplastic, Atomic force microscopy-infrared

CLC Number:

O654

Hui-Yao FANG, Yuan LIN, Zhao-Hui SU. Application of Atomic Force Microscopy-Infrared for Single Micro- and Nanoplastics[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2025, 42(8): 1070-1077.

Figures/Tables 5

Fig.1 （A-C） AFM image of crushed polypropylene particles；（D） Thickness and horizontal dimension diagram；（E） Frequency distribution of thickness；（F） Frequency distribution of horizontal size

Fig.2 （A， C， E） AFM images of plastic particles of varying sizes：（A） Particles 1.（2.47±0.18） μm/805 nm；（C） Particles 2.（836±184） nm/447 nm； Particles 3.（600±120） nm/274 nm； Particles 4.（700±127） nm/205 nm； Particles 5.（668±297） nm/253 nm；（E） Particles 6.（495±101） nm/217 nm；（B， D， F） The corresponding AFM-IR spectra

Fig.3 Schematic diagram of the micro- and nanoplastic preparation process

Fig.4 （A） Images of plastic fragments after digestion treatment and （B） their corresponding infrared spectra， and the standard spectrum of isotactic polypropylene

Fig.5 （A， C， E） AFM images of different shapes of particles， particles ①：（543±79） nm/230 nm， particles ②：（1.27±0.27） μm/521 nm， particles ③：（1.62±0.25） μm/495 nm；（B， D， F） Marker locations to acquire their infrared spectra， and the dotted line spectra are the standard spectra for polydimethylsiloxane and polypropylene respective in a spectral library

References 30

[1]	THOMPSON R C， MOORE C J， VOM SAAL F S， et al. Plastics， the environment and human health： current consensus and future trends［J］. Philos Trans R Soc B， 2009， 364（1526）： 2153-2166.
[2]	HARTMANN N B， HÜFFER T， THOMPSON R C， et al. Are we speaking the same language？ recommendations for a definition and categorization framework for plastic debris［J］. Environ Sci Technol， 2019， 53（3）： 1039-1047.
[3]	HAN M， LIU H， ZHU T， et al. Toxic effects of micro（nano）-plastics on terrestrial ecosystems and human health［J］. TrAC， Trends Anal Chem， 2024， 172： 117517.
[4]	BAEZA-MARTÍNEZ C， OLMOS S， GONZÁLEZ-PLEITER M， et al. First evidence of microplastics isolated in European citizens′ lower airway［J］. J Hazard Mater， 2022， 438： 129439.
[5]	AGEEL H K， HARRAD S， ABDALLAH M A E. Occurrence， human exposure， and risk of microplastics in the indoor environment［J］. Environ Sci： Processes Impacts， 2022， 24（1）： 17-31.
[6]	FRANZOSA E A， SIROTA-MADI A， AVILA-PACHECO J， et al. Gut microbiome structure and metabolic activity in inflammatory bowel disease［J］. Nat Microbiol， 2019， 4（2）： 293-305.
[7]	YIN K， WANG Y， ZHAO H， et al. A comparative review of microplastics and nanoplastics： toxicity hazards on digestive， reproductive and nervous system［J］. Sci Total Environ， 2021， 774： 145758.
[8]	DONG X， LIU X， HOU Q， et al. From natural environment to animal tissues： a review of microplastics（nanoplastics） translocation and hazards studies［J］. Sci Total Environ， 2023， 855： 158686.
[9]	CUI Y， YIN K， ZHENG Y， et al. Mixed plasticizers aggravated apoptosis by NOD2-RIP2-NF-κB pathway in grass carp hepatocytes［J］. J Hazard Mater， 2021， 402： 123527.
[10]	JUNG S， CHO S H， KIM K H， et al. Progress in quantitative analysis of microplastics in the environment： a review［J］. Chem Eng J， 2021， 422： 130154.
[11]	THOMPSON R C， COURTENE-JONES W， BOUCHER J， et al. Twenty years of microplastic pollution research-what have we learned？［J］. Sci， 2024， 386（6720）： eadl2746.
[12]	GUO X， LIN H， XU S， et al. Recent advances in spectroscopic techniques for the analysis of microplastics in food［J］. J Agric Food Chem， 2022， 70（5）： 1410-1422.
[13]	CHOI S， LEE S， KIM M K， et al. Challenges and recent analytical advances in micro/nanoplastic detection［J］. Anal Chem， 2024， 96（22）： 8846-8854.
[14]	SOHAIL M， UROOJ Z， NOREEN S， et al. Micro- and nanoplastics： contamination routes of food products and critical interpretation of detection strategies［J］. Environ Chem Lett， 2023， 891： 164596.
[15]	XIE J， GOWEN A， XU W， et al. Analysing micro- and nanoplastics with cutting-edge infrared spectroscopy techniques： a critical review［J］. Anal Methods， 2024， 16（15）： 2177-2197.
[16]	SCHWAFERTS C， NIESSNER R， ELSNER M， et al. Methods for the analysis of submicrometer- and nanoplastic particles in the environment［J］. TrAC Trends Anal Chem， 2019， 112： 52-65.
[17]	LI Y， WANG Z， GUAN B. Separation and identification of nanoplastics in tap water［J］. Environ Res， 2022， 204： 112134.
[18]	LI Y， ZHANG C， TIAN Z， et al. Identification and quantification of nanoplastics （20~1000 nm） in a drinking water treatment plant using AFM-IR and Pyr-GC/MS［J］. J Hazard Mater， 2024， 463： 132933.
[19]	HOSSAIN M D， SHAHID M A， MAHMUD N， et al. Research and application of polypropylene： a review［J］. Discover Nano， 2024， 19（1）： 2.
[20]	HWANG J， CHOI D， HAN S， et al. An assessment of the toxicity of polypropylene microplastics in human derived cells［J］. Sci Total Environ， 2019， 684： 657-669.
[21]	LEE S， KIM D， KANG K K， et al. Toxicity and biodistribution of fragmented polypropylene microplastics in ICR mice［J］. Int J Mol Sci， 2023， 24（10）： 8463.
[22]	TOMONAGA T， HIGASHI H， IZUMI H， et al. Investigation of pulmonary inflammatory responses following intratracheal instillation of and inhalation exposure to polypropylene microplastics［J］. Part Fibre Toxicol， 2024， 21（1）： 29.
[23]	ANDREASSEN E. Polypropylene： an A-Z reference［M］. Dordrecht： Springer Netherlands， 1999： 320-328.
[24]	SONG Y K， HONG S H， EO S， et al. Rapid production of micro- and nanoplastics by fragmentation of expanded polystyrene exposed to sunlight［J］. Environ Sci Technol， 2020， 54（18）： 11191-11200.
[25]	SORASAN C， EDO C， GONZÁLEZ-PLEITER M， et al. Ageing and fragmentation of marine microplastics［J］. Sci Total Environ， 2022， 827： 154438.
[26]	杜方旎. 水体和沉积物样品中小粒级微塑料和纳米塑料的分析方法研究［D］. 上海：华东师范大学， 2024.
	DU F N. The analysis methods of small-size microplastics and nanoplastics in water and sediment samples［D］. Shanghai： East China Normal University， 2024.
[27]	GARDETTE M， PERTHUE A， GARDETTE J L， et al. Photo- and thermal-oxidation of polyethylene： comparison of mechanisms and influence of unsaturation content［J］. Polym Degrad Stab， 2013， 98（11）： 2383-2390.
[28]	RJEB A， TAJOUNTE L， EL IDRISSI M C， et al. IR spectroscopy study of polypropylene natural aging［J］. J Appl Polym Sci， 2000， 77（8）： 1742-1748.
[29]	PHAN S， PADILLA-GAMIÑO J L， LUSCOMBE C K. The effect of weathering environments on microplastic chemical identification with Raman and IR spectroscopy： part Ⅰ. polyethylene and polypropylene［J］. Polym Test， 2022， 116： 107752.
[30]	SMITH A L. Infrared spectra-structure correlations for organosilicon compounds［J］. Spectrochim Acta， 1960， 16（1）： 87-105.

Application of Atomic Force Microscopy-Infrared for Single Micro- and Nanoplastics

RichHTML

PDF

Knowledge

Abstract

Cite this article

share this article

Figures/Tables 5

References 30

Related Articles 15

Recommended Articles

Metrics

Comments

[1]	Xiao-Long LAI, Zhi-Yun ZOU, Feng-Xiang XIE, Wen-E LI. Analysis of the Influence of Polypropylene Fiber on the Performance of Modified Asphalt Concrete [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2025, 42(7): 962-970.
[2]	Chen-Chen ZHANG, Yu-Han LIU, Wen-Jie ZHAO, Bai-Jun LIU, Zhao-Yan SUN, Wan-Li LIU, Yan-Miao WANG, Wei HU. Preparation of Oxidized Organosolv Lignin⁃based Hydrophilic Sizing Agent and Its Application in Polypropylene [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2022, 39(12): 1854-1861.
[3]	Jiu-Geng CHENG, Zhao-Hui SU. Quantitative Analysis of Phase Composition of Poly (1-butene) /Polypropylene Blends by Atomic Force Microscopy-Infrared [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2022, 39(02): 266-271.
[4]	QIU Jian, JIANG Zhiwei, XING Haiping, LI Minggang, LIU Jie, TANG Tao. Preparation and Electromagnetic Shielding Properties of Polypropylene/Carbon Nanotubes Composites with Segregated Structure [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2020, 37(8): 904-911.
[5]	QIU Jian, JIANG Zhiwei, XING Haiping, LI Minggang, LIU Jie, TANG Tao. Preparation and Electromagnetic Shielding Properties of Polypropylene/Carbon Nanotubes Composites with Segregated Structure [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2020, 37(8): 0-0.
[6]	YANG Zhengjun, LIU Bo, HUANG Pai, NIE Heran, ZHOU Guangyuan, ZHANG Jianfu. Effect of Pore Structures of Porous Polymer Microspheres on Catalytic Propylene Polymerization [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2020, 37(7): 746-755.
[7]	QI Yanxin, HUANG Yubin, JIN Ningyi. Preparation and Release Behavior of Progesterone Nano Micelles in Vitro [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2020, 37(11): 1340-1342.
[8]	ZHANG Yudong,GAO Yun,ZHANG Lei,LI Qinghua. Effect of Poly(4-ethylphenol) Antioxidant on Non-isothermal Crystallization Behavior of Polypropylene [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2019, 36(5): 539-547.
[9]	LIU Yide, CHEN Jialian, LI Hongzhou, YANG Songwei, LUO Fubin, CHEN Qinghua. Flame Retardant Properties of Synergistic Flame Retardant Polypropylene [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2019, 36(10): 1165-1171.
[10]	ZHANG Deguang, LI Yanguo, CUI Lei, LI Yuesheng. Controlled Preparation of Crosslinked Isotactic Polypropylene via Diels-Alder Reaction [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2018, 35(2): 174-180.
[11]	FAN Zhonglei, LIU Dazhuang. Study on the Miscibility of Chlorinated Polypropylene with Coating Resins by Viscometry [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2017, 34(11): 1273-1278.
[12]	ZHU Deqin1, SHENG Yu1*, TONG Qinsong2, WANG Zhen1. Effects of PP-g-(MAH/St) and PP-g-MAH on the Properties of Polypropylene/Wood Flour Composites [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2014, 31(08): 885-891.
[13]	ZHU Jian1, WANG Xiaoyan2, LIU Jingyu2, TONG Yuejin1, LI Yuesheng2. Synthesis of Polypropylene-graft-polycaprolactone Polymer and Its Application as Blending Compatibilizer [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2014, 31(07): 770-777.
[14]	ZHU Deqin, SHENG Yu, ZOU Yinjiang, FANG Zhen, SU Xiaofen. Preparation of Polypropylene Composites Filled with Surface-modified Calcium Carbonate by in-situ* Solid Phase Grafting [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2013, 30(12): 1411-1416.
[15]	ZHU Deqin, SHENG Yu*, ZOU Yinjiang, FANG Zhen, SU Xiaofen. Effect of Modifiers on the Performance of Polypropylene/Calcium Carbonate Composites [J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2013, 30(06): 655-660.