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Application of ceramic membranes for the removal of micro- and nanoplastics from water and wastewater: a review
Summary
Researchers reviewed ceramic membrane performance for removing micro- and nanoplastics from water, finding rejection efficiencies above 95% under optimized conditions and up to 99% when coupled with advanced oxidation processes, while highlighting that ceramic membranes avoid secondary plastic release that polymeric alternatives can introduce.
Micro- and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) have become a global environmental challenge due to their persistence and widespread occurrence in aquatic systems. Ceramic membranes, composed of inorganic materials, inherently avoid secondary microplastic release and exhibit superior hydrophilicity, leading to weaker interactions with MPs/NPs and improved resistance to flux decline compared to polymeric membranes. This review systematically summarizes the application of ceramic membranes for MPs/NPs removal, with a focus on performance across different pore size regimes, where rejection efficiencies can exceed 95% under optimized conditions. The fouling mechanisms associated with MPs/NPs are critically analyzed, and emerging antifouling strategies, including piezoelectric ceramic membranes and membrane-advanced oxidation process coupling, are highlighted, achieving up to 99% MPs removal efficiency. Finally, key challenges and future research directions are outlined to support the practical implementation of ceramic membranes in MPs/NPs removal.