PVC Microspheres – Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastic Reference Particles | PolyRef™
PVC Microspheres – Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastic Reference Particles | PolyRef™
Product Overview
PolyRef™ PVC Microspheres are research-grade Polyvinyl Chloride microspheres manufactured by RIGOR Science using proprietary synthesis routes from commercial PVC feedstock. Near-spherical PVC particles in the submicron-to-micron range fill a long-standing gap in the microplastic reference materials market — commercial PVC microspheres are typically produced by grinding, yielding irregular fragments that fail to mimic real environmental microplastic morphology.
Each batch retains the characteristic chemical structure of PVC (FTIR C–Cl stretching band at 600–700 cm⁻¹) and is verified by FT-IR, SEM, and DLS. Particles are near-spherical and clean-surfaced; debris and aggregation state are reported per lot in the COA.
Why PVC?
- Major environmental microplastic source. PVC is the third most produced plastic globally — construction materials, pipes, packaging, medical devices, and cables. PVC microplastics are increasingly detected in soil, freshwater, and sediment samples.
- Submicron near-spherical PVC is scarce. Most commercial "PVC microparticles" are ground fragments. Submicron near-spherical PVC remains rare globally, with limited suppliers (e.g., Cospheric) typically offering only micron-scale products.
- High-density sinking behavior. PVC's density (~1.38 g/cm³) makes it ideal for sediment microplastic studies, settling kinetics, and freshwater/marine bottom-layer simulation — a behavior LDPE/PE/PP microspheres cannot replicate.
- Distinct FTIR/Raman signature. The strong C–Cl stretching band makes PVC easily distinguishable in spectral identification of mixed microplastic samples.
- Critical for toxicology research. PVC leachates (phthalates, residual VCM) are an active toxicology concern — well-characterized PVC microspheres enable controlled exposure studies.
Specifications
| Material | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
| CAS No. | 9002-86-2 |
| Chemical Formula | (C₂H₃Cl)ₙ |
| Particle Size | 300 nm, 500 nm, 1–10 µm (custom sizes on request) |
| Morphology | Near-spherical; morphology and aggregation state reported per lot in the COA |
| Density | ~1.38 g/cm³ (sinks in water; ideal for sediment and bottom-layer studies) |
| Dispersion | Aqueous suspension with 0.01% SDS as stabilizer |
| Concentration | 5 mg/mL or 10 mg/mL |
| Package Size | 10 mL (custom volumes on request) |
| Storage | 2–8 °C, protect from light; do not freeze |
| Shelf Life | 36 months at 4 °C |
| Characterization | FT-IR, SEM, DLS; batch-specific COA included |
Applications
- Microplastic identification by FTIR / Raman / Py-GC-MS
- Sediment and bottom-layer microplastic transport studies
- Settling kinetics and density-based separation method development
- Soil and freshwater microplastic environmental fate research
- Drinking water, seawater, and wastewater microplastic quantification standards
- Ecotoxicology studies (aquatic organisms, soil microbiota, plant uptake)
- Spectral library construction and quality control reference
Not Recommended For
Direct cell toxicity assays without prior dialysis to remove SDS surfactant. For surfactant-free or custom-stabilized versions, please contact us.
Quality Documentation
Each shipment includes a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) with SEM images, FTIR spectrum, and DLS size distribution. Raw-material FTIR reference spectra available on request for batch verification.
Sub-micron grades (300–500 nm) are characterized by DLS; micron grades (≥1 μm) are characterized by laser diffraction / optical microscopy. Representative data shown; see COA for lot-specific values.