Table 1.

List of different techniques for NPs and MPs analysis.

Technique	Size Range	About	Advantage	Disadvantage
FTIR	>10 μm	Polymer identification	Easy, no sample preparation Non destructive	Time consuming
ATR-FTIR	>500 μm	Polymer identification	Easy, no sample preparation Non destructive	Time consuming
micro-FTIR	<20 μm	Polymer identification	Easy, no sample preparation Non destructive	Time consuming
IR-NMR		Polymer degradation	Identification of functional groups	Sample preparation Expensive
Raman	>10 μm	Polymer identification	Non destructive	Time consuming
Micro-Raman	>1 μm	Polymer identification	High resolution	Fluorescence interference
TED-GC-MS		Polymer identification	Sample can be heterogeneous No sample preparation	Destructive analysis
Optical microscopy		Size, color, morphology	Easy	No polymer characterization
SEM		Size, color, morphology	High resolution of images	Sample preparation
TEM	<0.1 nm		High resolution	Sample preparation Method in the early stage, no NPs have been detected
TGA-DSC		Polymer and additives identification	Easy	Destructive analysis
HPLC		Polymer and additives identification	Highly sensitive	Long sample preparation
Stereo microscope	>100 μm	Shape, size, and colors	Fast	No polymer characterization
Atomic force microscopy	>0.3 nm	Surface analysis	High resolution Polymer blend characterization	Sample damage Combination with other technique is needed
Fluorescence microscopy			Useful for transparent MNPs	Interference Use dye Pre-treatment
Atomic force microscopy	0.3 nm	Surface structure	High resolution	Possible contamination during the sample manipulation
Pyrolysis GC-MS		Polymer identification	Highly sensitive in combination with TGA	Destructive analysis
Cytometry	>200 nm	Quantification in liquid sample	Fast	Interference Use dye Pre-treatment