Science Inventory

Extraction and concentration of nanoplastic particles from aqueous suspensions using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and a magnetic flow cell

Citation:

Surette, M., D. Mitrano, AND K. Rogers. Extraction and concentration of nanoplastic particles from aqueous suspensions using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and a magnetic flow cell. Microplastics and Nanoplastics. Springer Nature, New York, NY, 3(2):1-12, (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-022-00051-1

Impact/Purpose:

While plastic pollution is considered a potential planetary boundary threat and one of the defining characteristics of the “Anthropocene”, little is known regarding the form, abundance, and extent of nanoplastics in the environment. These knowledge gaps hinder our ability to answer fundamental questions regarding the impacts of nanoplastic pollution on human health and the environment. This project aligns directly with SSWR.1.4 - Methods to Identify and Quantify Micro/Nano-plastics in Environmental Matrices, relates to the PIPs 2021 Priority Science Area “Monitoring, Measurement and Treatment of Microplastics”, and will advance SSWR’s capabilities regarding the identification and quantification of nanoplastics in environmental media.

Description:

Although a considerable knowledge base exists for environmental contamination from nanoscale and colloidal particles, significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the sources, transport, distribution, and effects of microplastic pollution (plastic particles < 5 mm) in the environment. Even less is known regarding nanoplastic pollution (generally considered to be plastic particles < 1 μm). Due to their small size, nanoplastics pose unique challenges and potential risks. We herein report a technique focused on the concentration and measurement of nanoplastics in aqueous systems. Hydrophobically functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (HDTMS-FeNPs) were used as part of a method to separate and concentrate nanoplastics from environmentally relevant matrices, here using metal-doped polystyrene nanoplastics (PAN-Pd@NPs) to enable low-level detection and validation of the separation technique. Using a magnetic separation flow cell, PAN-Pd@NPs were removed from suspensions and captured on regenerated cellulose membranes. Depending on the complexity of solution chemistry, variable extraction rates were possible. PAN-Pd@NPs were recovered from ultrapure water, synthetic freshwater, synthetic freshwater with a model natural organic matter isolate (NOM; Suwannee River Humic Acid), and from synthetic marine water, with recoveries for PAN-Pd@NPs of 84.9%, 78.9%, 70.4%, and 56.1%, respectively. During the initial method testing, it was found that the addition of NaCl was needed in the ultrapure water, synthetic freshwater and synthetic fresh water with NOM to induce particle aggregation and attachment. These results indicate that magnetic nanoparticles in combination with a flow-through system is a promising technique to extract nanoplastics from aqueous suspensions with various compositions.

Record Details:

Record Type:DOCUMENT( JOURNAL/ PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL)
Product Published Date:01/27/2023
Record Last Revised:07/19/2023
OMB Category:Other
Record ID: 358426