A plastic analyzer is mainly used for the identification, localization, particle size analysis, and composition classification of microplastics in water. Currently, there are three main technical approaches for waterborne microplastic analysis: infrared spectroscopy, quantitative mass spectrometry, and Raman spectroscopy. After comparing these technologies and analyzing their practical applications, AIMOLI ultimately selected Raman spectroscopy and integrated microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, automatic sample loading, robotic arm operation, and intelligent software into an automatic microplastic analyzer for water.
1. Why Choose Raman Spectroscopy for Water Microplastic Analysis?
Currently, there are three main technologies for water microplastic analysis.
1. Infrared Spectroscopy
Infrared spectroscopy can be used to identify the composition of microplastics, but it is difficult to identify microplastics smaller than 10µm. It also usually requires the preparation of dry films and cannot perform wet measurement, while equipment costs are relatively high. Therefore, infrared spectroscopy plastic analyzers have certain limitations in practical water microplastic analysis.
2. Quantitative Mass Spectrometry
Quantitative mass spectrometry uses pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technology, which is a relatively new technology for microplastic analysis and can be used for nanoplastic detection. However, the equipment and testing costs of this technology are relatively high, making it less economical for routine water microplastic analysis scenarios where testing costs need to be controlled.
3. Raman Spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy can accurately identify different types of microplastics, does not require complex pretreatment, and can perform wet measurement, while equipment costs are relatively low. Therefore, after comprehensive comparison of accuracy, application range, operating methods, and cost, AIMOLI selected Raman spectroscopy as the core detection technology for its plastic analyzer and automatic microplastic analyzer.
2. Technical Selection and Certification Conclusions of the Plastic Analyzer
After comparing the three technical approaches, Raman spectroscopy was ultimately selected as the core technology for water microplastic analysis.
1. Suitable for 300µm~5000µm Microplastics
The plastic analyzer is suitable for analyzing microplastics ranging from 300µm~5000µm (0.3mm~5mm), covering the main particle size range required for practical water sample testing.
2. 785nm or 1064nm Laser to Reduce Fluorescence Interference
The plastic analyzer uses 785nm or 1064nm laser irradiation, which can avoid fluorescence interference and improve the stability and reliability of Raman spectroscopy detection.
3. Raman Spectroscopy Offers High Cost Performance
One of the key reasons for selecting Raman spectroscopy is its cost advantage. While accurately identifying different microplastics, Raman spectroscopy provides high cost performance, allowing the plastic analyzer to balance detection performance and equipment cost.
3. Plastic Analyzer Testing Process
The AIMOLI automatic microplastic analyzer digitally connects sample pretreatment, automatic sample handling, automatic focusing, image acquisition, Raman scanning, microplastic identification, classification, and report generation, creating an automated workflow from sample loading to final analysis report.
Step 1: Water Sample Collection and Five-Step Pretreatment
After water sample collection, five pretreatment steps taking approximately one hour are required:
Filtration → Oxidative Digestion → Sedimentation → Suction Filtration → Transfer
After pretreatment, the sample is prepared as a water-drop-shaped sample, and the microplastic sample is finally placed on a glass slide for automatic detection by the plastic analyzer.
Step 2: Automatic Glass Slide Handling by the Robotic Arm
The sample glass slides are placed on the sample rack. After the plastic analyzer is powered on, the robotic arm takes the glass slides one by one from top to bottom.
After each glass slide is analyzed, the robotic arm automatically retrieves it and returns it to its original position, creating a seamless process of sample handling, analysis, and return.
Step 3: Automatic Continuous Analysis of 10~20 Glass Slides
The sample rack of the plastic analyzer can hold 10~20 glass slides. The robotic arm removes the glass slides one by one for analysis and automatically returns them after testing.
Because the entire process is automated, the microplastic analyzer can operate continuously for 24 hours, significantly reducing repetitive manual operations.
Step 4: Intelligent and Digital Coordination
The plastic analyzer and robotic arm use intelligent and digital coordinated operation, eliminating the need for operators to remain on duty day and night.
After testing is completed, the system can either require manual assistance according to actual needs or provide an audio and visual alert to notify the operator, thereby reducing the need for manual monitoring.
Step 5: Automatic Focusing, Positioning, and Microplastic Coordinate Creation
The microscope of the plastic analyzer can automatically focus on the object under examination.
The glass slide is divided into 12 grid images, and the system creates coordinates and serial numbers for each microplastic while recording multiple parameters such as microplastic position, morphology, and particle size.
Therefore, the plastic analyzer can not only identify microplastics but also perform microplastic positioning, numbering, morphology analysis, and particle size analysis.
Step 6: Dual-Optical-Path Raman Spectroscopy Analysis
The plastic analyzer uses a dual-optical-path design integrated into the microscope system to improve Raman signal intensity, sensitivity, and resolution.
The system automatically detects the composition of microplastics and classifies them through spectral comparison, ultimately generating a classification report.
Step 7: Automatic Reanalysis of Suspected Samples
For suspected samples identified during testing, the plastic analyzer supports reanalysis.
After removing the original microplastic sample, the analyzer automatically calibrates the original sample through each module, then rescans and analyzes it. The system compares the spectra again and generates a reanalysis report.
Step 8: One-Click Automated Operation
The plastic analyzer features a user-friendly interface with simple operation and no technical barrier for users.
The entire process, including sample loading, focusing, scanning, image stitching, detection, and report output, can be completed automatically, reducing dependence on the operator’s experience and technical skills in microplastic testing.
Step 9: Three Operating Modes: Fully Automatic, Semi-Automatic, and Manual
The automatic microplastic analyzer for water supports three operating modes: fully automatic, semi-automatic, and manual.
Users can switch between fully automatic, semi-automatic, and manual modes at any time according to different testing requirements. Switching modes does not affect the final report.
4. Why Choose the AIMOLI Plastic Analyzer?
1. Global Peers Mainly Rely on Manual Operation
At present, microplastic analysis among global peers mainly relies on manual operation. AIMOLI has taken the lead in applying automation, intelligence, and digitalization to microplastic analysis and has developed an automatic microplastic analyzer, enabling automated analysis from sample testing to report generation.
2. Analysis Efficiency Increased by 20 Times
After sample collection and pretreatment are completed, the plastic analyzer enables automated, intelligent, and digital coordination throughout the analysis process.
Compared with traditional manual analysis methods, efficiency is increased by 20 times, making it particularly suitable for continuous testing and batch analysis of water microplastics.
3. Recovery Rates of 91% and 97% for 300µm and 1000µm Microplastics
Water sample analysis results show that the recovery rate for 300μm microplastics reaches 91%, while the recovery rate for 1000μm microplastics reaches 97%.
These test results demonstrate the strong detection stability and recovery performance of the AIMOLI plastic analyzer in practical microplastic analysis.
4. More Than 3 Years of R&D and Continuous Testing and Comparison Over the Past Year
The AIMOLI plastic analyzer has been under development for more than 3 years.
Continuous testing and comparison over the past year have further verified the reliability and stability of the analyzer, providing ongoing data validation for automatic water microplastic analysis.
5. Automating the Entire Process Based on Mature Raman Spectroscopy Technology
Raman spectroscopy technology has been globally recognized, but traditional applications rely heavily on manual operation.
AIMOLI’s core innovation is not to redefine Raman spectroscopy, but to integrate Raman spectroscopy, microscopy, robotic arms, automatic detection, image analysis, and report generation into a complete system, making the entire microplastic analysis process automated and providing significant advantages in detection efficiency and equipment cost performance.
6. One Plastic Analyzer Can Replace the Work of at Least Three Highly Skilled Technicians
From the perspective of labor costs and work efficiency, one plastic analyzer can perform the work and annual workload equivalent to at least three highly skilled technicians.
The plastic analyzer can operate continuously for long periods without making mistakes or changing jobs, making it particularly suitable for laboratories and testing institutions that need long-term water microplastic testing, batch testing, and continuous testing.
5. Core Advantages of the Plastic Analyzer
The AIMOLI plastic analyzer uses Raman spectroscopy as its core technology and upgrades the traditional manual analysis process to an automated analysis process for water microplastic testing.
Core specifications and advantages include:
- Detection target: Water microplastics
- Core technology: Raman spectroscopy
- Applicable particle size: 300µm~5000µm (0.3mm~5mm)
- Laser wavelength: 785nm or 1064nm
- Glass slide capacity: 10~20
- Glass slide imaging: 12-grid
- Operating modes: Fully automatic, semi-automatic, manual
- Continuous operation: Supports 24-hour continuous operation
- Recovery rate for 300μm microplastics: 91%
- Recovery rate for 1000μm microplastics: 97%
- R&D period: More than 3 years
- Efficiency improvement: 20 times
Therefore, the AIMOLI plastic analyzer is not simply a Raman spectroscopy instrument, but an intelligent detection system designed for automatic water microplastic analysis. Through the coordinated operation of the robotic arm, microscope, dual-optical-path Raman system, and automated software, the system enables automated microplastic positioning, scanning, identification, classification, reanalysis, and report generation.
For laboratories and testing institutions that need to improve microplastic testing efficiency, reduce labor costs, and achieve 24-hour continuous testing, the AIMOLI automatic microplastic analyzer provides a solution featuring high efficiency, high automation, and high cost performance.
