Method for the detection and quantification of nano or micro plastic particles

US11933740B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE EUROPEAN UNION, REPRESENTED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION · BE

Inventors

• Andrea Valsesia · Borgomanero, IT
• Grigore Rischitor · Brussels, BE
• Douglas Gilliland · Sunnyvale, US
• Jessica Ponti · Travedona, IT
• Francesco Fumagalli · Siderno, IT
• Monica Quarato · Noci, IT
• Pascal Colpo · Borgomanero, IT
• Isaac Ojea Jimenez · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 30, 2020
• Grant date: Mar 19, 2024
• Expiry date: Dec 24, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N33/442
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the detection of at least one nano or micro plastic particle comprised in a heterogeneous matrix material comprising the following steps: applying of at least one part of a heterogeneous matrix material comprising at least one nano or micro plastic particle onto at least a portion of a surface of a conductive support thereby forming a first layer onto said surface, irradiating of at least a portion of said first layer with at least one ion beam, thereby forming an irradiated layer, detecting of the at least one nano or micro plastic particle comprised in said irradiated layer by a detection method chosen from the group of Raman nanoscopic techniques, or infrared nanoscopic techniques, or charge dependent detection methods or combination thereof. The present invention allowed good detection of micro and nano plastic particles with high resolution and sensitivity.