Now and future: Development and perspectives of using polyphenol nanomaterials in environmental pollution control

• The green synthetic pathway of PNs is emphasized. • The recent advances of PNs in environmental applications are presented comprehensively. • The efficiency and mechanisms of PNs in removing environmental pollutants are discussed. • The factors affecting the all-around performance of PNs are analyzed. • The uncertainties and possibilities of using PNs in the environmental field are proposed. Plant polyphenols play various roles as reducing agents, antioxidants, dispersants, and capping agents in the green synthesis of polyphenol or metal-polyphenol nanomaterials (MPNs). It also serves as a renewable carbon source. The application of polyphenols in medical fields is relatively abundant, but research in environmental fields such as water pollution control and soil remediation has just started. Therefore, this paper briefly outlines the application of polyphenol nanomaterials (PNs) in the medical field and introduces their traditional and green synthetic routes. The research progress of using the PNs in the remediation and removal of environmental pollutants (heavy metals and organics) is summarized, and the removal effect, behavior and mechanism of action are discussed. Next, the factors affecting the physicochemical properties and performances of PNs during the removal process are analyzed. Finally, challenges and prospects of PNs are proposed, providing references for future research and practical applications in the environmental fields.