A MagLev-Raman module for rapid and seamless in-situ analysis of composition, concentration, morphology, and size of sub-10 μm microplastic mixtures in water

A MagLev-Raman module for rapid and seamless in-situ analysis of composition, concentration, morphology, and size of sub-10 μm microplastic mixtures in water | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article A MagLev-Raman module for rapid and seamless in-situ analysis of composition, concentration, morphology, and size of sub-10 μm microplastic mixtures in water Jing Yu, Zhiyang Pei, Zhigang Tan, Yumeng Wang, Fengcai Lei, Xiaodong Li, and 5 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9366540/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Current analysis methods for microplastics in water are fragmented, unable to simultaneously assess key parameters like size, morphology, composition, and concentration, limiting the comprehensive assessment. Here, we present a MagLev-Raman module that seamlessly integrates magnetic levitation (MagLev) with in-situ Raman (IS-Raman) spectroscopy, enabling rapid, comprehensive analysis of microplastics in water. This compact and modular system performs in-situ label-free separation, enrichment, and transport of sub-10 µm microplastic particles directly under the designated detection area, allowing chemical identification and concentration measurement within 25 minutes typically. By incorporating tunable chamber sidewalls—such as a grating SERS structure—the module further achieves enhanced localized imaging and sensitivity. Moreover, a secondary detection mode of this module firstly put forward by us, also enables to in-situ estimate equivalent size of the microplastics. Validated with coastal water samples across China, the MagLev-Raman module delivers integrated morphological, dimensional, compositional, and quantitative data in a single run (< 2 hours), establishing a versatile and field-adaptable tool for holistic microplastic monitoring and risk assessment. Physical sciences/Chemistry/Surface chemistry/SERS Physical sciences/Optics and photonics/Optical techniques/Optical spectroscopy/Raman spectroscopy Physical sciences/Nanoscience and technology/Techniques and instrumentation/Characterization and analytical techniques Microplastic analysis Magnetic levitation In-situ Raman Water pollution Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files 3.SupportingPZY.docx Supporting information Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9366540","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":634190431,"identity":"beee856e-0168-489b-97c2-704184eb8acc","order_by":0,"name":"Jing 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Here, we present a MagLev-Raman module that seamlessly integrates magnetic levitation (MagLev) with \u003cem\u003ein-situ\u003c/em\u003e Raman (IS-Raman) spectroscopy, enabling rapid, comprehensive analysis of microplastics in water. This compact and modular system performs \u003cem\u003ein-situ\u003c/em\u003e label-free separation, enrichment, and transport of sub-10 \u0026micro;m microplastic particles directly under the designated detection area, allowing chemical identification and concentration measurement within 25 minutes typically. By incorporating tunable chamber sidewalls\u0026mdash;such as a grating SERS structure\u0026mdash;the module further achieves enhanced localized imaging and sensitivity. Moreover, a secondary detection mode of this module firstly put forward by us, also enables to \u003cem\u003ein-situ\u003c/em\u003e estimate equivalent size of the microplastics. 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