The invisible world of nanoplastics: bibliometric analysis on nanoplastics and study of their adsorption capacity

The increasing presence of nanoplastics in the environment raises concerns about their toxic effects on human health and ecosystems, including bioaccumulation, pollution, and unknown impacts on the food chain and marine organisms. With the rise of polymer pollution, it is urgent to understand the characteristics of this new pollutant. This study uses bibliometric analysis to elucidate the state-of-the-art on nanoplastics and their adsorption capacity, highlighting concerns, advances, and research gaps. Tools like Vosviewer® and Python were used to identify trends in publications, noting a significant increase since 2018, with China leading scientific production. The review details the physicochemical characteristics of nanoplastics, characterization methods, and adsorption mechanisms, emphasizing interactions with environmental contaminants and health effects. Public policies and advanced detection techniques are necessary. Significant gaps require investigation to mitigate the impacts of nanoplastics on the environment and human health.