Fast and easy quantification of semi-crystalline microplastics in exemplary environmental matrices by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

Microplastics can be quantified with the thermoanalytical method of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It is a standard method for quality testing in industrial production and processing of polymers. This study shows that DSC can be used for the quantification of semi-crystalline polymers in environmental matrices. A significant improvement of detection accuracy and limit was achieved with defined pre-heating and cooling steps. The preheating reduced the signals of organic impurities and harmonized polymer crystallinity in particles of different origins. This study introduces the method and presents limits of quantification for polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) and polyamide 6 (PA6) as well as accuracy in environmental samples, demonstrating the feasibility of this method for the first time.

Automated summary

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) can be used to quantify microplastics, with improved detection accuracy and limits achieved through defined pre-heating and cooling steps. The method is shown to be feasible for environmental samples, with quantification limits and accuracy demonstrated for various polymers such as PE, PET, PP, and PA6.