Nu Instruments | Microplastic Particle Analysis Using Very Low Mass Isotope Detection
This application note demonstrates how Vitesse can measure carbon-based microplastic particles using optimised low-mass ICP-MS conditions. It highlights improvements in particle detection, sizing and characterisation across a wide dynamic range.
Microplastic analysis requires sensitive measurement of low-mass isotopes, particularly carbon. By optimising reaction cell conditions and sample introduction systems, Vitesse can distinguish microplastic particles from background carbon signals.
The note demonstrates the detection and characterisation of polystyrene particle standards and shows how large particle populations can be analysed rapidly. Thousands of particles can be measured within seconds to establish representative distributions.
The platform also provides sufficient dynamic range to measure both small and large microplastics while maintaining linear calibration performance across particle sizes.
Key Takeaways:
- Detects and characterises carbon-containing microplastics.
- Measures thousands of particles in seconds.
- Delivers wide dynamic range for particle sizing studies.
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