Analysis of Mixed Polymer Sample as Microplastics using Pyrolysis GC/MS

The effect of microplastics (MPs) with sizes of several μm to about 5 mm on pollution and ecosystems in marine environments is a serious concern. Although FTIR is used in qualitative analysis of comparatively large MPs, it has been reported that the pyrolysis GC/MS (Py-GC/MS) method is effective in cases where it is difficult to distinguish the MPs containing multiple types of fine particles.
This article reports the results of a qualitative analysis of a sample, prepared by mixing multiple polymers to simulate MPs, using Py-GC/MS method.