SMuK 2023 – scientific programme

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UP: Fachverband Umweltphysik

UP 5: Measurement Techniques and Simulations

UP 5.2: Talk

Wednesday, March 22, 2023, 16:15–16:30, MOL/0213

Optimization of excitation and detection windows for the optical detection of microplastics via photoluminescence — •Stefan Brackmann, Srumika Konde, Katharina Gejer, Marina Gerhard, and Martin Koch — Department of Physics and Material Sciences Center, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Renthof 5, 35032 Marburg, Germany

Current microplastics research utilizes subjective hand-picking of particles to identify plastic particles. Recently the first methods using visible photoluminescence to detect plastic particles have been publicized. Here, we investigate the excitation and detection wavelength range suitable to 12 common virgin polymer types. Based on our findings, we recommend a range from 270 to 320 nm for the excitation and 320-425 nm for the detection window. We further show that plastics have unique UV-PL signatures that may be suitable for identifying microplastic particles. This approach may lead to a low-cost alternative to the established methods.