Table 1.
Comparison of different analytical methods.
| Analytical methods | Applicability | Advantages | Limitations | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extraction methods | ||||
| Membrane filtration | Nanomaterials and nanoplastics | Low cost, easy handling, and high efficiency Some materials can be used as adsorbents. |
No selectivity, high filtration resistance for small particles, and clog of pore size during operation | [[30], [31], [32], [33]] |
| CPE | Nanomaterials and nanoplastics | Low cost, easy handling, high extraction efficiency, and the original size and shape of nanoparticles preserved | Limited enrichment factor | [[39], [40], [41], [42], [43], [44], [45], [46], [47], [48]] |
| MSPE | Nanomaterials and nanoplastics | High selectivity after surface modification, easy handling, easy separation and collection, and high enrichment factor | Specific surface modification for different targets, adsorption of tiny materials on vessel surfaces | [18,49,51,52] |
| Separation methods | ||||
| SEC | Nanomaterials and nanoplastics | High separation efficiency, easy operation, and capable to coupling with various detector | Only a small volume of sample can be analyzed. | [54,[56], [57], [58], [59], [60], [61], [62]] |
| FFF | Nanomaterials and nanoplastics | High separation efficiency and capable of coupling with various detector Large volume samples can be analyzed. |
This technique is complex that experienced workers are needed to optimize multistep parameters. | [71,73,[75], [76], [77]] |
| Detection methods | ||||
| SERS | Nanomaterials and nanoplastics | Non-destructive No sample preparation is normally required. |
Expensive instruments Probe molecules are needed to detect NMs, and only several NMs can be detected. The detection of NPLs needs to be improved. |
[84,85] |
| sp-ICP-MS | Nanomaterials and nanoplastics | High sensitivity, and easy sample preparation for metal NMs | NPLs need to be labeled with Au NPs for detection. Multi-elements detection is restricted. |
[[87], [88], [89], [90], [91], [92], [93], [94], [95], [96], [97], [98]] |
| Py-GC/MS | Nanoplastics | Independent on particle size and shape | Destructive, and relatively high detection limits It may be not representative for heterogenous samples. |
[18,32,48,101,102,104] |