News & Publications

Peer-reviewed research that uses and validates the OpenMNP detection framework — from method development to field application.

Microplastic Detection and Pollution Control Laboratory plaque
News · Laboratory

Microplastics Detection and Pollution Control Laboratory Officially Established

The Microplastics Detection and Pollution Control Laboratory, established under the Clean Fuel Division of the Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been officially launched. The laboratory focuses on the development of rapid and intelligent methods for microplastics detection and characterization, technologies for the synergistic control of microplastics and conventional pollutants, and studies on the occurrence and transport of microplastics in water, soil, and air. Its mission is to support emerging pollutant management and environmental protection through scientific innovation.

Microplastic Detection and Pollution Control Laboratory

In-situ Raman identification framework for thermally aged microplastics
Publication · ES&T

A Resilient In-Situ Raman-Based Framework for Identifying Thermally Aged Microplastics: Validation in Waste-to-Energy Incineration

The foundational paper behind OpenMNP. Using in-situ Raman spectroscopy, we captured real-time spectral evolution of 8 representative plastics during thermal transformation (25°C to 800°C) and built the first comprehensive spectral library for thermally aged microplastics. The open-access identification framework introduced the novel concept of “MP derivative” to refine polymer classification, elevating the median spectral matching degree from 47% to 91% and reducing unassigned spectra by 76%. Applied to flue gas samples from an industrial grate furnace WtE incinerator, over 89% of emitted MPs exhibited spectral signatures consistent with thermally transformed derivatives.

Su T, Gu X, Deng S*, Wang H, Zhu W, Li Z, Li S, Wu F*. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2026.

Read Full Paper →
Microplastic extraction and distribution in soil near waste incineration plant
Application · 环境科学

垃圾焚烧电厂周边土壤中微塑料的提取及分布特性

Researchers applied the OpenMNP Raman identification workflow to characterize microplastics (>3 μm) in surface soil surrounding a waste incineration power plant in northern China. After optimizing the extraction procedure for high-organic, alkaline soils, the study combined micro-Raman spectroscopy and Py-GC-MS to reveal particle number abundances of 419–1,133 particles/g (mean: 741 particles/g) and mass abundances of 0.21–3.40 mg/g. Fragment-shaped MPs dominated (59%), with the primary size fraction at 3–10 μm (41%). PP and PE accounted for 61.2% of total polymers. This work validates the OpenMNP method’s real-world environmental applicability and provides essential data for ecological risk assessment.

朱文杰, 顾翔宇, 苏挺, 李卓卿, 王华生, 苑春刚, 邓双*, 李松庚. 环境科学 2026.

Read Full Paper →
Py/GC-MS vs TD/GC-MS comparison for microplastics in soil
Application · 分析测试学报

垃圾焚烧厂周边土壤中微塑料质量丰度的 Py/GC-MS 和 TD/GC-MS 比较研究

A systematic comparison of the two mass spectrometry methods offered by OpenMNP — Py/GC-MS and TD/GC-MS — for quantifying six typical microplastics (PE, PP, PS, PET, PMMA, PVC) in soils surrounding waste-to-energy plants. Py/GC-MS demonstrated significantly lower detection limits (8.84×10−3–1.58×10−1 μg vs. 2.06×10−1–5.02×10−1 μg), higher recoveries, and better reproducibility. In environmental soil samples, Py/GC-MS yielded higher mass abundances (2.06–2.23 mg/g), providing more reliable quantification in complex matrices and supporting method standardization.

崔欣宇, 顾翔宇, 王华生, 朱文杰, 戴传海, 车平, 李松庚, 邓双*. 分析测试学报 2026. In Press.

In Press
Atmospheric microplastics emission from MSW incineration
Publication · J. Hazard. Mater. Lett.

Atmospheric Microplastics Emission from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Power Plant: Field Evidence and Characterizations

Field investigation of atmospheric microplastic emissions from a circulating fluidized bed incinerator, using Raman spectroscopy with the OpenMNP identification framework. Microplastics in flue gas predominantly ranged from 10–40 μm, with PVC and polyacrylamide as major polymer types. The study estimated atmospheric emissions at 2.1×1012 particles/yr, identifying MSW incineration as a pivotal contributor to atmospheric microplastics. Air pollution control devices, especially fabric filters, significantly influenced microplastic abundance and chemical structures across different stream locations.

Su T, Wang H, Gu X, Liu S, Xiong Y, Deng S*, Li S*. J. Hazard. Mater. Lett. 2025, 6: 100009.

Read Full Paper →
Microplastic removal using iron-nitrogen co-doped biocarbon
Application · Chem. Eng. J.

Efficient Microplastic Removal Using Iron-Nitrogen Co-Doped Layered Biocarbon Materials

An innovative iron-nitrogen co-doped layered adsorbent derived from glucose via molten salt-assisted pyrolysis was developed for microplastic removal from water. The co-doped adsorbent achieved 96.5% removal efficiency and 148.39 mg/g capacity for polystyrene MPs at low concentrations, maintained over 90% efficiency after multiple regeneration cycles, and performed effectively across a wide pH range and high-salinity conditions. A combined physical and chemical adsorption mechanism was revealed through kinetic analysis.

Feng X, Gu X*, Xuan G, Wu H, Li S*. Chem. Eng. J. 2025, 506: 160095.

Read Full Paper →