Microplastics Analysis— Analytical methods with FTIR and Raman —Microplastics Analysis
Microplastics, which are generally less than 5 mm in size, have raised concerns about accidental ingestion by marineorganisms, contamination of commercial drinking water, and health hazards to those who consume them. As a result,
there is a growing movement to investigate the effects of the microplastics. JASCO FTIR and Raman spectrometers caneasily perform various types of microplastics analysis.

Use of different instruments depending on size
JASCO offers instruments capable of analyzing microplastics in a wide range of sizes from a few millimeters to sub-micronorders.
5 mm

1 mm

500 µm

100 µm

50 µm

10 µm

5 µm

1 µm

FTIR spectrometer (FTIR)

FTIR Microscope (IRT)

Raman spectrometer (NRS)FTIR spectrometer

FT I RFTIR spectrometer can be used for qualitative analysis of microplastics over several hundred microns. The measurement
results of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are shown here.
Sample photo

Sample spectrum

PE + CaCO3
Polyethylene(PE)Long axis : 574 µm
Short axis : 371 µm

Abs

4000

3000

2000
Wavenumber [cm–1]

1000

400

3000

2000
Wavenumber [cm–1]

1000

400

PET
Polyethylene
terephthalate(PET)Long axis : 188 µm
Short axis : 83 µm

Abs4000

2FTIR— FTIR spectrometer

IRT— FTIR Microscope

NR S— Raman Microscope

FTIR Microscope

IRT

FTIR microscope can be used to analyze microplastics as small as 5 µm to 10 µm in length. Qualitative analysis is of course
possible, imaging measurements can be used to visualize the distribution of components, and particle size analysis is also
possible. These are example imaging analysis data about several kinds of filtrated samples using of polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) filter as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinylchloride (PVC) in water.
Absorption bands of PTFE

Abs = 0.5

PSPE

Abs

PSPE

PP

PP

PVC

PET

PVC

PET
4000

3000

2000

1000

Wavenumber [cm–1]

650

100 µmAveraged spectra of each component
20

Chemical Image (peak height)
8220115502200232000Qty. 100102030

40011120110050PS : 1 3
PE : 1 0
PP : 5
PVC : 1PET : 7Total : 3660Size [µm]01001000017080010009000100100110120

Stacked histograms by component
Those samples and data obtained by FTIR microscope were provided by TOSOH Analysis and Research Center Co., Ltd.

Application Data

Raman Microscope

100-MT-0262

NR SRaman microscope can be used for microplastics sample analysis as sub-micron order. In addition to qualitative analysis,
mapping measurement enables visualization of component distribution as well as FTIR microscope, and particle size analysis
is also available. Here are the results of our measurements of Airborne Microplastics (AMPs).

Zoom

Zoom

4.0

2.0

1.5

2.0
3 µm

Measurement point

PET3 µmInt.

Measurement point

Polyhydroxy butyric acid (PHB)
Microscope observation

10 µm
3800

3000

2000

1000

Those samples were provided by Prof. Okochi of Waseda University.

Application Data

Measurement Results of Airborne Microplastics (AMPs)

Raman Shift [cm–1]

100

100-AN-0031

3Macro analysis of Microplastics
Microplastics from several mm to several hundred µm can be easily measured using FTIR ATR method. ATR is a contact
sampling method in FTIR reflection measurement.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer : FTIRThe FT/IR-4X is a powerful Mid-IR FTIR spectrometer, with many features that you findin a research grade instrument, which has high resolution, High S/N and high sensitivity
analysis performance.

FT/IR-4X with ATR PRO 4X VIEW

ATR PRO 4X VIEW : ATR PRO ONE X VIEWFT I RATR PRO 4X VIEW / ATR PRO ONE X VIEW are ATR accessories for FTIR thatallow you to measure sample while observing sample surface through crystal.
This observation function helps to confirm proper sample contact conditioneven for several hundred µm order samples and enables to measure it.
Images and spectra of samples closely adhering to the ATR crystal can besaved in a single file.

100 µmATR PRO 4X VIEW andATR PRO ONE X VIEW

Close contact with
ATR crystal sample (PP) image
Application Data

USB Microscope kit

030-AT-0275

FT I R

This USB Microscope kit is a complete package for microscope observation for FT/IR-4X. This kit can be
added to ATR accessory and observation view on the top of crystal can be obtained before measurement.
Furthermore, such observation view data and spectra data can be saved in the same file. Even if sample isquite small, this kit supports to handle sample setting with each because sample can be set on ATR crystal
while checking the observation view from USB microscope.
FT/IR-4X with USB Microscope kit* Any accessories from ATR PRO 4X, ATR PRO 4X VIEW, ATR PRO ONE X and ATR PRO ONE X VIEW are necessary.

SWITCH withEASE
betweenUSBmicroscope

USB microscopeATRACQUISITION

MEASUREMENT

IMAGE

IMAGE
ACQUISITION&MEASUREMENT

ATR

USB microscope image

ATR close-up image *Abs22SAVE

9in1 FILE

5231000 µm* Sample observation image that contacted with ATR crystal can be obtained withuse of ATR PRO 4X VIEW or ATR PRO ONE X VIEW.

4000

3000

2000

Wavenumber [cm–1]

1000

600

Sample: Microplastics collected from lake water

Those samples were provided by e-kagaku Biwako Environment Project 2021 (SEP2021).

4PP0.002

Measurement Spectrum

Application Data030-AT-0275

Advanced Spectra Search

FTIRIRT

It has two functions "Classification" and "Spectra Search", which support analyzing spectra easily and precisely. The "Classification" function
recognizes 35 types of compounds based on a machine learning from various materials and high molecular spectra. It also shows key bands ofcompound so that an operator confirm a validity of results. The "Spectra Search" function performs searching from approximately 600 spectra library.

124

31

Measured spectrum

2 Reference spectrum

3 Result list

4 Advice function

Easy to compare with 2A reference spectrum of the selected category

Score and sample name are displayedSupports for understanding the result

Some microplastics are degraded in a certain environment and it might appear on the spectrum changes. It may show incorrect search results ona spectrum library search. The "Classification" function still works in such conditions because it focuses on key bands on the spectrum and is notaffected by the degradation. The Advanced Spectra Search is a useful software for analyzing microplastics in various types and conditions.

IR plastics library

Application Data

280-AN-0274

FTIRIRT

This is a dedicated library for microplastics including 39 types, 153 IR spectra. It improves the search result of a spectra library. It also includes
cellulose and rubbers in the library, which are typically found in environmental conditions to identify whether it is plastic or not.

Library list
Low-density polyethylene, LDPE

High-density polyethylene, HDPE

Polypropylene, PP

Polyvinyl chloride, PVC

Polystyrene, PS

Foamed polystyrene

Polyamide, PA

Polycarbonate, PC

Poly(ethylene terephthalate), PETPolyester

Polyurethane, PU

Poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA

Polyvinyl alcohol, PVA

Polyimide

Poly(butylene succinate)-poly(lactic acid)copolymer, PBS-PLA copolymer

Artificial turf

Polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ABS

Epoxy resin, EP

Phenol formaldehyde, PF

Polyethersulfone, PES

Polyetherimide, PEI

Polyphenylene sulfide, PPS

Polybutylene terephthalate, PBT

Acrylic fiber

Cellulose acetate

AramidCupro, Cuprammonium rayon

Polynosic, Modal

Viscose rayon

Silk

Wool

CottonCellulose

Styrene-butadiene rubber, SBR

Ethylene-propylene rubber

Isobutylene-isoprene rubber, IIR

cis-1,4-Polyisoprene rubber

trans-1,4-Polyisoprene rubber
Application Data

280-AN-0274

5

Microplastics obtained with filtration
Microplastics smaller than hundreds of µm can be measured with the micro FTIR and micro Raman while they are placedon the membrane filter. JASCO micro FTIR and Raman measure one/multi points, imaging with the exactly same point,area between both instruments.

Micro FTIR spectrometer
Micro FTIR observes and measures small samples with microscope function. It also
performs imaging measurements, creates chemical images and particle analysis. Micro
FTIR obtains information of materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene.
IRT-7200 with FT/IR-4X

Micro Raman spectrometer
Micro Raman has higher spatial resolution compared to the micro FTIR, so it canmeasure microplastics in the µm range which are difficult to measure with the microFTIR. The micro Raman also detects additives, pigments in addition to base materials.
NRS-4500

VFS-25-1 Filtration set

FTIR

Combined with the filtration set and 25 mm dia. membrane filter, microplastics are filtered onit. Various types of materials and pore size filters are available (sold separately).
* Aspirator or dry scroll pump is required separately.

IRTNRS

Membrane filter(sold separately)Lineup of membrane filter
No.

Material

Pore size

1PTFE

10 µm

2PTFE

5 µm

3PTFE

1 µm

4

Alumina

0.2 µmFiltration setSH02-FH Filter holder

Application Data

110-MT-0271

IRTNRSThis is a dedicated holder for the 25 mm dia. membrane filter. It can be set on the sharing holder and used on the micro FTIR and Raman.
* SH-02 sharing holder plate or iQ frame is required.

Set the membrane filter.

Fix with the plate cover.

Set on the sharing holder.
Application Data

6030-MT-0276

030-AN-0040

Advanced Search NAV

IRT

NR S

Conditate measurement positions are automatically recognized in real time. These dedicated points can be registered as measurement positions atonce. It is possible to target measurement positions in detail by setting parameters related to such characteristics. The acquired spectrum is matchedwith JASCO’s original database, and the names of the hit substances are displayed on the observation image.
TARGETING by

SIZE

DOWN
THE
MEASUREMENTPOINTSCOLOR

TARGETING by

AUTOMATIC RECOGNITION

NARROW

AUTOMATIC RECOGNITION* Only the NRS series can narrow down the number of measurements point.
S6S5S4S3S2S1SIZE

SMALL ● … Detection parts

SIZE

LARGE ● … Detection parts
PSPSPETPMMACOLORRED● … Detection parts

COLOR

TiO2

TiO2

Real-timecomponent identification

BLUE ● … Detection parts

Application Data

260-AN-0018

IRTNR SiQ Frame

The iQ Frame easily measures the same minute region and the same point IR spectroscopy and Raman
spectroscopy. Both methods are known as a complementary method to analyze information of molecules. For
this reason, the iQ Frame has a multilateral analysis result can be obtained by combining both measurements.
Sample observation image

Chemical image (Peak-height)

Spectrum■:PEPTFE absorption bandAbs

IR spectroscopy
50µm

4000

3000
2000
Wavenumber [cm–1]

1000 600■ :PE (Yellow)■:PE (Blue)Int.

Raman spectroscopy
50µm

3800

3000

2000
1000
Raman Shift [cm–1]

100

Example of composite analysis of IR and Raman by the iQ Frame.
Application Data

100-MT-0270

100-AN-0034

IRTNR SJASCO Particle Analysis

The JASCO Particle Analysis program enables the acquisition of shape and color information about sample from color maps and observation images.
Histograms, frequency distributions, and correlation distributions can be created based on the obtained information. Additionally, it is also possible
to create the stacked histograms for each component.
No.

Measurement result

Image

Centroid-X Centroid-Y Size

1

9.8

8.2

10.482

2

16.2

15.2

9.480

3

102.6

17.3

9.364

4

26.7

30.7

9.667

5

39.4

40.4

9.648

6

42.1

50.0

9.641

1122

15102
14Qty.
5200

1000

4

Character of each particles

68

10Size [µm]121416

Stacked histogram
Application Data

100-MT-0270

100-AN-0034

7LIST OF ACCESSORIES FOR EACH MODEL
FT/IR-X series (FT/IR-4X, FT/IR-6X, FT/IR-8X)
ATR PRO 4X
ATR PRO 4X VIEW
ATR PRO ONE X
ATR PRO ONE X VIEW

ATR PRO 4X Single reflection ATR accessory with iQX Accessory, for FT/IR-4X only
ATR PRO 4X VIEW Single reflection ATR accessory with camera with iQX Accessory, for FT/IR-4X only
ATR PRO ONE X Single reflection ATR accessory with iQX Accessory, for 6X/8X
ATR PRO ONE X VIEW Single reflection ATR accessory with camera with iQX Accessory, for 6X/8X
USB Microscope set (Custom-made)Components
USB Microscope for observation
USB Microscope-ATR Mounting unit for ATR PRO 4X, ATR PRO 4X VIEW, ATR PRO ONE
Mask for microscope observation
Micro Imaging Analysis Program (including Scale Correction function)* ATR PRO 4X, ATR PRO 4X VIEW, ATR PRO ONE or ATR PRO ONE VIEW is required.

ADSS-4X
LIB-PLA-ADSS

ADSS-4X Advanced Spectra Search program for Spectra Manager 2.5
LIB-PLA-ADSS IR plastics library * ADSS-4X is required

IRT series and NRS series Microscopes
JPA
SH02-FHSH02VFS-25-1

JASCO Particle Analysis
SH02-FH Filter holder * SH02 Sharing holder plate (SH02, SH02-IR or SH02-RM) is required.
SH02 Sharing holder plate (plate only)
VFS-25-1 Filtration set for micro plastic preparation, 25 mm dia.
Components
Suction filter bottle, Funnel, Base, Clamp, Silicone stopper* This set does not include an aspirator or dry vacuum pump.

MF25-PTFE10
MF25-PTFE5
MF25-PTFE1
MF25-AL02

MF25-PTFE10, PTFE Membrane Filters for VFS-25
MF25-PTFE5, PTFE Membrane Filters for VFS-25
MF25-PTFE1, PTFE Membrane Filters for VFS-25MF25-AL02, Aluminum Oxide Membrane Filters for VFS-25

IRT series (IRT-7200, IRT-7100, IRT-5200)
ASN-IR-X
ADSS-4X
LIB-PLA-ADSS
SH02-IR

ASN-IR-X IR Advanced Search NAV for Spectra Manager 2.5
ADSS-4X Advanced Spectra Search program for Spectra Manager 2.5

NRS series (NRS-4500, NRS-5500, NRS-7500)
ASN-457
SH02-RM

Advanced Search NAV
Sharing holder & iQ Frame for Raman

LIB-PLA-ADSS IR plastics library * ADSS-4X is required.
Sharing holder & iQ Frame for IR

JASCO CORPORATION

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