Nanomaterials for microplastics remediation in wastewater: A viable step towards cleaner water

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging global contaminants and have been widely detected in aqueous environments, threatening the well-being of living organisms and the natural environment. Existing MPs removal techniques, such as chemical treatments, filtration, and sedimentation, are mostly inefficient, particularly for the tiniest MPs. Nanomaterials have become a promising alternative for removing MPs from water due to their unique characteristics, such as high surface-to-volume ratio, reactivity, lower required dosage, adaptable surface charges, and their ability to interact with MPs through diverse mechanisms. This review discusses various nanomaterials with the potential to remove MPs from water. It is not merely an innovative technology in the domain, but also serves as an efficient material in the remediation of MPs from aqueous environments. Nonetheless, the application of nanomaterials for efficiently removing MPs poses key challenges, including high production cost, potential toxicity, scalability limitations, and the potential for secondary pollution. Addressing the identified challenges is essential to utilize them in real-world applications. The development of cost-effective, eco-friendly nanomaterials and their integration with the existing water treatment technologies should be focused in future research studies. Emerging tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning are also highlighted as potential ways to improve nanomaterial design, predict performance, and provide solutions to specific environmental conditions. Nanomaterials with their significant potential to remove MPs will be key to their large-scale application and effective mitigation of MPs pollution. In conclusion, this review underscores existing challenges, specifying the future directions and emerging trends for further investigations in this domain.