Illuminating the Invisible: Fluorescent Probes as Emerging Tools for Micro/Nanoplastic Identification

The pervasive environmental contamination by micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) presents a formidable analytical challenge, necessitating the development of rapid and sensitive detection methods. While conventional techniques often suffer from limitations in sensitivity and throughput, fluorescent probe-based technology has emerged as a powerful alternative. This review charts the evolution of these probes, from initial stains relying on hydrophobic adsorption to advanced molecular designs engineered for specific chemical recognition. We critically examine key operational mechanisms, including the solvatochromic response of Nile Red, polarity-discriminatory probes enabling a “microplastic rainbow,” and targeted systems achieving turn-on fluorescence via restriction of intramolecular rotation. Furthermore, we highlight cutting-edge signal enhancement strategies, such as plasmon- and metal-enhanced fluorescence, which amplify detection to the femtogram level. Special emphasis is placed on the distinct challenges posed by nanoplastics, including their propensity for aggregation in aqueous matrices that exacerbates false positives and their superior ability to breach biological barriers, and how AIE luminogens and PEF/MEF strategies mitigate these issues through enhanced signal-to-noise ratios and subcellular resolution, differing from their application to microplastics. Critically, we address the imperative for low-toxicity probe designs, emphasizing biocompatibility and biodegradability criteria to facilitate safe, long-term in vivo tracking and widespread ecological surveillance. The integration of these sophisticated probes with smart, “activate-on-target” systems is paving the way for next-generation MNP analysis, offering critical insights for environmental monitoring and toxicological assessment.