Recent Applications in Analytical Techniques of Microplastics

Microplastics (MPs), which originate from the widespread use of plastic products, undergo aging and decomposition under environmental conditions, making them almost ubiquitous in the environment. They pose significant potential hazards to human health and the ecological environment and have become a global environmental safety issue. However, effective analysis is challenging due to the diverse types of MPs, large variations in particle size, and the complex composition of the environmental matrix. There are a few articles that provide an overview of analytical techniques for MPs, but the most review focus on the particular analytical methods and sample pretreatment techniques, lacking a comprehensive summary of systematic detection approaches. This article reviews the analytical methods for MPs developed over the past five years, emphasizing six categories of analytical technologies: fluorescent labeling, spectroscopic techniques, thermal analysis, electrochemical analysis, mass spectrometry (MS), and chromatography. It discusses the principles and applications of these methods, as well as the challenges they currently face and prospects. This work aims to provide valuable guidance for researchers in the field of MPs and promote the further development of analytical technologies.