Microplastics Pretreatment Using Pure-Water Rinsing for Accurate FTIR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analytical methods for microplastics analysis are hindered by the interference of gravity separation solutions like sodium iodide and incomplete drying, which affect the FTIR analysis results.
Innovation Solution
An analytical pretreatment method involving gravity separation, sieve immersion in pure water, and drying at controlled temperatures to remove impurities and moisture from microplastics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If microplastics are dried sufficiently to remove water influence from FTIR analysis, then analysis accuracy is improved, but processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the gravity separation solution (sodium iodide) from the microplastic sample through repeated washing with pure water. By eliminating the harmful substance (sodium iodide) that interferes with FTIR analysis, the method achieves accurate analysis without requiring extensive drying time, thus resolving the contradiction between analysis accuracy and processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pure water as an intermediary substance to replace the gravity separation solution. By immersing the microplastics in pure water multiple times, the sodium iodide is gradually displaced and removed. This intermediary approach allows effective removal of interfering substances without requiring complete drying, balancing analysis accuracy with time efficiency
2Productivity
If gravity separation solution is used to isolate microplastics, then separation efficiency is improved, but analysis accuracy deteriorates due to chemical interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the gravity separation solution (sodium iodide) from the microplastic sample through repeated washing with pure water. By eliminating the harmful substance (sodium iodide) that interferes with FTIR analysis, the method achieves accurate analysis without requiring extensive drying time, thus resolving the contradiction between analysis accuracy and processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of sodium iodide residue into a beneficial washing process. The same sodium iodide solution that was used for effective separation becomes the target of removal through controlled washing steps. By systematically removing the separation agent after it has fulfilled its separation function, the method transforms a harmful residual effect into a controlled removal process that enhances overall analysis accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces the influence of gravity separation solutions and water on FTIR analysis, providing accurate and reliable microplastics composition analysis.
Implementation Method 1
immersing the sieve containing the microplastics in pure water
Implementation Method 2
immersing the sieve containing the microplastics in pure water having a depth smaller than a height of the sieve
Implementation Method 3
drying the microplastics contained in the sieve with a constant temperature dryer
Implementation Method 4
collect only the microplastics through gravity separation using sodium iodide
Data Source
AI summary
An analytical pretreatment method of microplastics includes: placing the microplastics separated by a gravity separation treatment in a sieve; immersing the sieve containing the microplastics in pure water having a depth smaller than a height of the sieve; and lifting the sieve up from the pure water and drying the microplastics contained in the sieve with a constant temperature dryer. Thus, the analytical pretreatment method of microplastics is capable of reducing the influence of a gravity separation solution on the analysis result of the microplastics.