TY - JOUR A1 - Zhuang, Yiling A1 - Haderlein, Stefan B. A1 - Lutze, Holger V. A1 - Sun, Chen A1 - Fink, Friedrich A1 - Paul, Andrea A1 - Spahr, Stephanie T1 - Persulfate activation by biochar for trace organic contaminant removal from urban stormwater N2 - Persistent and mobile trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) in urban stormwater are difficult to remove through sedimentation- or sorption-based treatment and pose a risk to aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies. We demonstrate that the chemical oxidant peroxydisulfate (PDS) can be activated by shrimp shell biochar at pH 7 to form reactive species that selectively react with widespread stormwater contaminants. Of 11 TrOCs tested, oxidative transformation was observed for 1,3-diphenylguanidine, 2-hydroxybenzothiazole, 1H-benzotriazole, 5-methyl-benzotriazole, and diuron during water treatment with biochar and PDS. Laboratory batch experiments conducted with street runoff and a synthetic water showed that the water matrix, containing up to 7.5 mg L-1 dissolved organic carbon and 100 mM chloride, had a minor effect on the formation of reactive species and contaminant transformation. Using a set of scavengers and probe compounds, we provide evidence for singlet oxygen (1O2) as the predominant reactive species in the biochar/PDS system, which is in agreement with the selectivity of the process to oxidize electron-rich organic contaminants. The results of our study inform new strategies for stormwater treatment using heterogeneous oxidation processes for the abatement of persistent and mobile organic contaminants. KW - Stormwater treatment KW - Oxidation processes KW - Pyrogenic carbon PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-637952 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.123921 SN - 0043-1354 VL - 284 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-63795 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wander, Lukas A1 - Vianello, A. A1 - Vollertsen, J. A1 - Westad, F. A1 - Braun, Ulrike A1 - Paul, Andrea T1 - Exploratory analysis of hyperspectral FTIR data obtained from environmental microplastics samples N2 - Hyperspectral imaging of environmental samples with infrared microscopes is one of the preferred methods to find and characterize microplastics. Particles can be quantified in terms of number, size and size distribution. Their shape can be studied and the substances can be identified. Interpretation of the collected spectra is a typical problem encountered during the analysis. The image datasets are large and contain spectra of countless particles of natural and synthetic origin. To supplement existing Analysis pipelines, exploratory multivariate data analysis was tested on two independent datasets. Dimensionality reduction with principal component analysis (PCA) and uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) was used as a core concept. It allowed for improved visual accessibility of the data and created a chemical two-dimensional image of the sample. Spectra belonging to particles could be separated from blank spectra, reducing the amount of data significantly. Selected spectra were further studied, also applying PCA and UMAP. Groups of similar spectra were identified by cluster analysis using k-means, density based, and interactive manual clustering. Most clusters could be assigned to chemical species based on reference spectra. While the results support findings obtained with a ‘targeted analysis’ based on automated library search, exploratory analysis points the attention towards the group of unidientified spectra that remained and are otherwise easily overlooked. KW - Microplastics KW - FTIR KW - Exploratory analysis PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/c9ay02483b VL - 12 IS - 6 SP - 781 EP - 791 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-50396 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Paul, Andrea T1 - Multivariate approaches in the evaluation of (hyper)spectral data for microplastics analysis - options and limitations N2 - Die zunehmende Anreicherung von Gewässern und Böden mit Plastikmüll führt zur Anhäufung von mikroskopisch kleinen Plastikpartikeln, sogenannter Mikroplastik (MP). Es werden dringend analytische Methoden benötigt, die helfen MP zu identifizieren und zu quantifizieren. Gegenwärtig kommen dafür hauptsächlich thermoanalytische und mikro¬skopische Verfahren, wie Mikro-Infrarotspektroskopie oder Mikro-Raman zum Einsatz. Letztere sind in der Regel an zeitaufwendige Probenanreicherungen und -aufbereitungen gebunden, es können nur kleine Probenmengen (Mikrogramm) untersucht werden und die Auswertung der erzielten Spektren kann anspruchsvoll sein. Im Rahmen dieser Präsentation werden zwei Ansätze vorgestellt, die über die multi-variate Analyse spektroskopischer Daten i) einen neuen methodischen Ansatz zum Screening von MP in belasteten Böden sowie ii) eine alternative Auswertung großer (Mikro)-spektroskopischer Datensätze ermöglichen. Zunächst wird ein NIR-spektroskopisches Verfahrens vorgestellt, das es gestattet MP bestehend aus Polyethylen, Polyethylenterephthalat, Polypropylen und Polystyrol im Bereich bis zu 0,5 Massenprozent zu detektieren. Aufgrund kurzer Messzeiten und robuster Technik besitzt dieser Ansatz das Potenzial, im Gegensatz zu den thermoanalytischen und mikrospektroskopischen Methoden, größere Probenmengen mit minimaler Vor¬behandlung zu untersuchen. Der zweite Ansatz befasst sich mit der Auswertung großen Datensätze, wie sie typischerweise als Resultat der Mikro-FTIR unter Nutzung moderner FPA-Detektoren erhalten werden. Die Mikro-FTIR-Technik beruht auf der spektralen Aufnahme, Abbildung und an¬schließenden Identifizierung von Schwingungsbanden, die für synthetische Polymere typisch sind. Die Bilddatensätze sind groß und enthalten Spektren von unzähligen Partikeln natürlichen und synthetischen Ursprungs. Zur Ergänzung bestehender Ansätze, die z.B. auf Recherchen von Spektren¬bibliotheken basieren, wurde die explorative multivariate Datenanalyse getestet. Als Kernkonzept wurde hierbei die Dimensionalitäts¬reduktion verwendet. Die Ergebnisse stellen nicht nur eine orthogonale Methode zur Kontrolle der Ergebnisse dar, die auf Grundlage einer automatisierten Bibliothekssuche erzielt wurden, sondern ergaben darüber hinaus eine Gruppe von Spektren, die nicht in den vorhandenen Spektrenbibliotheken erfasst wurden. N2 - The increasing enrichment of water bodies and soils with plastic waste leads to the accumulation of microscopic plastic particles, so-called microplastics (MP). There is an urgent need for analytical methods that help to identify and quantify MP. At present, mainly thermo-analytical and microscopic methods such as micro-infrared spectroscopy or micro-Raman are used for this purpose. The latter are usually tied to time-consuming sample enrichment and preparation, only small sample quantities (micrograms) can be examined and the evaluation of the obtained spectra can be demanding. In the context of this presentation, two approaches are presented which, via the multi-variate analysis of spectroscopic data, allow i) a new methodological approach to screening MP in contaminated soils and ii) an alternative evaluation of large (micro)-spectroscopic data sets. First, a NIR spectroscopic method is presented which allows MP consisting of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and polystyrene to be detected in the range of up to 0.5 mass percent. Due to short measurement times and robust technology, this approach has the potential, in contrast to thermo-analytical and micro-spectroscopic methods, to examine larger sample quantities with minimal pre-treatment. The second approach deals with the evaluation of large data sets, as typically obtained as a result of micro-FTIR using modern FPA detectors. The micro-FTIR technique is based on the spectral recording, imaging and subsequent identification of vibration bands typical of synthetic polymers. The image data sets are large and contain spectra of numerous particles of natural and synthetic origin. Exploratory multivariate data analysis has been tested to complement existing approaches based on e.g. spectrum library searches. The core concept used was dimensionality reduction. The results not only represent an orthogonal method for checking the results obtained by an automated library search, but also revealed a group of spectra that were not recorded in the existing spectrum libraries. T2 - analytica conference 2020 CY - Online meeting DA - 19.10.2020 KW - Microplastics KW - Multivariate Datenanalyse KW - NIR KW - Hyperspectral data PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-51516 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Altmann, Korinna A1 - Goedecke, Caroline A1 - Bannick, C.-G. A1 - Abusafia, A. A1 - Scheid, C. A1 - Steinmetz, H. A1 - Paul, Andrea A1 - Beleites, C. A1 - Braun, U. T1 - Identification of microplastic pathways within a typical European urban wastewater system N2 - In recent years, thermoextraction/desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) has been developed as a rapid detection method for the determination of microplastics (MP) mass contents in numerous environmentally relevant matrices and, in particular, for the measurement of polymers in water samples without time-consuming sample preparation. The TED-GC/MS method was applied to investigate a typical European municipal wastewater system for possible MP masses. Such investigations are important in view of the recent revision of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Four different representative sampling sites were selected: greywater (domestic wastewater without toilet), combined sewer, and influent and effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). All samples were collected by fractional filtration. Filtration was carried out over mesh sizes of 500, 100, 50, and in some cases, 5 µm. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were detected in all samples, with the PE fraction dominating in all cases. Styrene-butadiene rubber which serves as an indication of tire abrasion, was only found in the influent of the WWTP. The highest MP mass contents were found in the combined sewer, so MP can become a source of pollution during heavy rain events when the capacity limits of the effluent are reached, and the polluted effluent is released uncontrolled into the environment. Based on the studies, MP retention from the WWTP could be estimated to be approximately 96%. Few trends in polymer type or mass contents were detected within the different fractions of the samples or when comparing samples to each other. KW - Microplastics KW - Microplastic analysis KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Microplastic pathways KW - Mass contents PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-568289 DO - https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1002/appl.202200078 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-56828 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rossi, Andrea A1 - Corrao, Elena A1 - Alladio, Eugenio A1 - Drobne, Damjana A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan A1 - Jurkschat, Kerstin A1 - Kononenko, Veno A1 - Madbouly, Loay Akmal A1 - Mrkwitschka, Paul A1 - Yasamin, Nakhli A1 - Novak, Sara A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Saje, Špela A1 - Santalucia, Rosangela A1 - Sordello, Fabrizio A1 - Pellegrino, Francesco T1 - Multivariate optimization and characterization of graphene oxide via design of experiments and chemometric analysis N2 - Controlling the structure and properties of graphene oxide (GO) remains a challenge due to the poor reproducibility of conventional synthetic protocols and limited understanding of parameter-property relationships. In this study, we present an integrated analytical framework that combines Design of Experiments (DoE) with chemometric modelling to systematically assess the effects of eight synthesis variables on GO’s physicochemical and functional features. A Plackett–Burman experimental design enabled efficient screening of synthesis conditions, while comprehensive characterization (spanning UV–Vis spectroscopy, XPS, SEM–EDX, TEM–EDX, and XRD) was coupled with multivariate tools (Principal Component Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression) to identify statistically significant correlations between synthetic inputs and material responses. Notably, we demonstrate that UV–Vis spectra can serve as a robust proxy for oxidation state, offering a rapid and accessible alternative to surface-sensitive methods. The approach yields a predictive analytical toolkit for guiding GO synthesis and highlights a generalizable strategy for the rational design of flat nanomaterials. This work supports reproducible, resource-efficient material development aligned with Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles. KW - Graphene oxide KW - 2D-materials KW - Design of Experiment KW - Synthesis KW - Chemometric analysis PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-652576 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flatc.2025.100988 SN - 2452-2627 VL - 55 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Elsevier B.V. AN - OPUS4-65257 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mrkwitschka, Paul A1 - Mühlbauer, Michaela A1 - Rossi, Andrea A1 - Pellegrino, Francesco A1 - Zurutuza, Amaia A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Meier, Florian A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Morphological Analysis of Graphene Oxide by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Correlative Field-flow Fractionation Coupled with Multi-angle Light Scattering N2 - In this paper graphene related 2D materials (GR2M) arre investigated by centrifugal field flow fractioning (CF3) and SEM. Three materials were selected as case studies (CS): graphene „HD-G (CS I), graphene oxide UniTo“ (CS II), and graphene oxide „Graphenea“ (CS III). For CS I particles were evaluated as constituent particles in agglomerates, for the other two materials only isolated (non aggregated/agglomerated) flakes were considered for determination of the area equivalent circular diameter (ECD). Size analysis of all three materials was carried out by CF3 coupled with MALS (Multi-Angle Light Scattering). For evaluation, it was found that the data obtained was best suited to a disc model. Results are in good agreement when compared to the sizes obtained before CF3 analysis. CS II material is too heterogenous to accurately determine flake size by imaging. CF3 coupled with MALS enables to assess fractions within the highly heterogenous material of CS II. Imaging of the material in CS III after CF3 measurement indicates that the procedure is non-destructive. This could not be verified for the CS‘s I & II As a next step we plan to analyse the fractionated samples by imaging them within a SEM wet-cell. KW - 2D Materials KW - SEM KW - Centrifugal field flow fractionation (CF3) KW - Imaging KW - Size distribution PY - 2025 DO - https://doi.org/10.1093/mam/ozaf048.222 VL - 31 IS - 7 SP - 442 EP - 443 PB - Oxford Academic AN - OPUS4-63804 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rossi, Andrea A1 - Alladio, Eugenio A1 - Drobne, Damjana A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan A1 - Jurkschat, Kerstin A1 - Kononenko, Veno A1 - Madbouly, Loay Akmal A1 - Mrkwitschka, Paul A1 - Novak, Sara A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Saje, Špela A1 - Santalucia, Rosangela A1 - Sordello, Fabrizio A1 - Pellegrino, Francesco T1 - Development of a one-pot synthesis of rGO in water by optimizing Tour’s method parameters N2 - Since its first synthesis in 2004, graphene has been widely studied and several different synthesis methods has been developed. Solvent exfoliation of graphite and the reduction of graphene oxide previously obtained through graphite oxidation are the most employed. In this work, we exploited synthesis conditions of a method usually employed for obtaining graphene oxide (the Tour’s method) for directly obtaining a very poorly oxidised material with characteristics like reduced graphene oxide. For the first time, a one-pot synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is reported avoiding the use of a post-synthesis chemical or thermal reduction of the graphene oxide that requires further reagents, heat and time. KW - Graphene KW - 2D-materials KW - Tour's method KW - rGO KW - One-pot synthesis PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-611827 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73606-2 SN - 2045-2322 VL - 14 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Springer Nature CY - London AN - OPUS4-61182 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -