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Molecular Insights into Adsorption Mechanisms of Micro- and Nanoplastics on Effective Adsorbent Materials
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This review pulls together existing research on how different filter materials trap microplastics and nanoplastics from water, showing that success depends on matching the material to the specific type of plastic particle (its size, surface chemistry, and charge) rather than just picking the "best" material overall. This matters because it means there's no one-size-fits-all filter for removing these tiny pollutants from our water supply, and the study notes that many materials which work well in clean lab tests may perform worse in real-world water, so more realistic testing is needed before these solutions can be trusted at scale.
Existing reviews on micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) removal from water rarely link adsorbent structural features to the molecular interactions governing removal performance. This review addresses this gap by examining MNP adsorption from a mechanism-oriented perspective, mapping six canonical interaction pathways across five adsorbent classes. Adsorption emerges as a system-dependent process governed by the interplay between polymer properties and surface chemistry rather than by the material alone. Interactions such as π–π stacking and hydrophobic affinity dominate for non-functionalized polymers on carbon-rich surfaces, while electrostatic forces and hydrogen bonding become more relevant for oxidised particles. Pore structure becomes significant when particle size and porosity match, whereas chemisorption provides a stronger and faster pathway in systems containing reactive metal sites. Across material classes, differences relate more closely to scalability and sustainability than to intrinsic adsorption capacity. Bio-based materials offer a favourable balance between performance and practical implementation, while more advanced systems provide greater control but remain limited by synthesis complexity. Laboratory capacities often overestimate real performance, and removal efficiency in complex matrices is a more reliable metric. Future progress will depend on improved standardisation, integration with modelling, and validation under realistic conditions to support the transition from laboratory studies to practical applications.
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This review pulls together research on materials that can filter tiny plastic particles out of water, showing that how well a material works depends on the specific chemistry of both the plastic and the filter—there's no single "best" solution. The key takeaway is that lab results often look better than what happens in real-world water, so as scientists work to remove microplastics from our drinking water and environment, testing needs to happen under realistic conditions before we can trust these cleanup methods to actually protect public health.
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This review evaluates the effectiveness of various adsorbent materials, including activated carbon, bioadsorbents, and advanced nanomaterials, for removing microplastics and nanoplastics from water. Researchers examined key factors like pore size, surface charge, and environmental conditions that influence removal efficiency. The study highlights the need for developing more sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent materials to tackle growing microplastic contamination in water sources.
Key adsorbents and influencing factors in the adsorption of micro- and nanoplastics: A review
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This review looks at ways to remove microplastics and nanoplastics from drinking water using adsorption, a process where contaminants stick to a filter material. Carbon-based materials show the most promise because they are affordable and environmentally friendly. The authors emphasize the need to scale up these methods from the lab to real-world water treatment plants.
Molecular Mechanisms Governing the Adsorption, Deposition, and Removal of Environmentally Aged Microplastics by Engineered Surfaces
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Scientists figured out how tiny plastic particles that have been weathered in the environment stick to different surfaces, then used this knowledge to create a new material that can remove over 92% of these microplastics from water. This breakthrough could lead to better filters and cleanup systems to remove microplastics from drinking water and the environment. Since microplastics are found everywhere from our food to our bloodstream, having effective ways to remove them could help protect human health.
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This review covers the different materials scientists are developing to filter microplastics out of water, including biochar, activated carbon, sponges, carbon nanotubes, and newer hybrid materials. Each material has trade-offs in terms of cost, effectiveness, and environmental impact, but combining different approaches shows the most promise. The research is important because better water filtration methods could directly reduce the amount of microplastics people consume through drinking water.
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