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Detection and identification of nanoplastics in water via plasmonic-based spectrometric methods using evaporation-driven colloidal assembly

Project description

Novel detection solution for nano- and microplastics

The scientific community has only just recently discovered the true extent of plastic pollution. Less than 5 mm in size, microplastics are everywhere, showing up in the trillions of particles per litre found in plastic baby bottles and other water containers. Microplastic detection is a crucial step in eradicating them from the environment. Unfortunately, current solutions for microplastic detection are limited. The ERC-funded NanoPlastBall project aims to develop a solution using chemical identification that is easy to use and both cost-efficient and scalable.

Objective

In recent years, we have discovered that our environment is extensively polluted with plastic particles in a wide range of sizes, from the largest pieces that we can identify with our bare eyes, to the so called microplastics (< 5 mm). As a consequence of the improvement in detection techniques, we now know that, for example, up to trillions of microplastic particles per litre have been found in plastic bottles for infants and in general plastic-based consumer water containers. Plastic debris above the microplastic cut-off can be sampled easily (though tediously) using standard extraction, collection, and purification methods. However, microplastics are typically heavily underestimated when using such basic techniques. In this project, I intend to develop a technique by which we can (1) concentrate diluted pre-filtered solutions by a controlled droplet evaporation process and (2) perform chemical identification of its content beyond the current detection limits using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The technique will be easy, fairly cheap to implement and easily scalable for the identification of micro- and nanoplastics in consumer products.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2022-POC2

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Host institution

UNIVERSITEIT TWENTE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 150 000,00
Address
DRIENERLOLAAN 5
7522 NB Enschede
Netherlands

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Region
Oost-Nederland Overijssel Twente
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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Beneficiaries (1)

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