PlastiTrax® Fragments are microplastic particle suspensions available in 10 mL and 20 mL formats, containing a single polymer type in a defined size fraction between 20–100 µm (min Feret diameter). The suspensions are available in two concentration ranges containing approximately 100 MPs/mL or 500 MPs/mL, respectively. They are designed for general method testing, instrument optimization, spectral database expansion, and workflow development rather than precise recovery determination.

The suspension can be easily handled and aliquoted using a standard laboratory pipette. As suspension medium, a mixture of 80% water, 20% ethanol, and 0.01% Tween 80 is used to maintain particle dispersion and minimize agglomeration.

A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is provided for each product and includes the corresponding particle size distribution.

Important: This product is not specifically intended for formal method validation or accreditation processes. For these applications, we recommend our PlastiTrax® tablet-based reference materials, which provide fully traceable and precisely determined particle numbers.

Like all PlastiTrax® products, the fragments are produced using a top-down approach from virgin polymer materials. The polymers are processed through a polymer-specific cryogenic milling procedure, generating irregularly shaped fragments that closely resemble environmentally occurring microplastics. Following milling, the particles are separated into defined size fractions using a controlled sieving process (wet sieving). This environmentally relevant production approach results in realistic particle morphologies suitable for analytical method development and testing.
The particle concentration of each batch is determined using QCL imaging analysis (n = 5) and adjusted to approximately 100 MPs/mL or 500 MPs/mL, depending on the selected product version. Due to the inherent variability associated with particle sedimentation — influenced by particle size and polymer density — slight concentration deviations may occur within the suspension. Therefore, this product is not specifically intended for precise recovery determination. For exact recovery measurements and fully traceable particle numbers, we recommend our PlastiTrax® tablet-based reference materials.
The particle size distribution of each batch is determined using QCL imaging analysis. As particle morphology differs between polymer types, the resulting size distributions may vary depending on the material. The corresponding particle size distribution is provided in the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for each product batch.

Please note that the size distribution reported in the CoA may slightly differ from the nominal size fraction specified for the product. This is due to differences in particle size definition: the product size fractions are classified during sieving based on the minimum Feret diameter (min Feret), whereas the particle sizes reported in the CoA are determined by QCL imaging using the maximum Feret diameter (max Feret).
The particles are suspended in a mixture of 80% water, 20% ethanol, and 0.01% Tween 80. This composition helps maintain the particles in suspension and reduces accumulation at the liquid surface caused by the hydrophobic properties of microplastics. The addition of Tween 80 minimizes particle agglomeration and improves handling stability, while not causing detectable spectral alterations of the polymer particles during spectroscopic analysis.
The particles are suspended in a mixture of 80% water, 20% ethanol, and 0.01% Tween 80. This composition helps maintain the particles in suspension and reduces accumulation at the liquid surface caused by the hydrophobic properties of microplastics. The addition of Tween 80 minimizes particle agglomeration and improves handling stability, while not causing detectable spectral alterations of the polymer particles during spectroscopic analysis.
Defined volumes of the suspension can be selectively aliquoted using a standard laboratory pipette, enabling approximate microplastic concentrations to be spiked into samples or analytical workflows. To minimize contamination and particle losses, conditioning the pipette with filtered ethanol prior to use is strongly recommended.

As particle sedimentation will occur depending on particle size and polymer density, the suspension should be thoroughly shaken immediately before sampling to ensure homogeneous particle distribution. Without proper mixing, reproducible particle transfer cannot be guaranteed.

Typical deviations during pipetting are in the range of approximately 30%, making this product suitable for general testing, workflow optimization, and instrument evaluation, but not for precise recovery determination or formal method validation. For these applications, we recommend our PlastiTrax® tablet-based reference materials.

PlastiTrax® Fragments

Manufacturing

Particle concentration

Particle size

Suspension medium

Contaminations

Recommended use