Author response for "Engineered Nanocatalysts for Degradation and Valorisation of Micro/Nanoplastics"

Nanotechnology for Plastic Degradation

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Researchers reviewed nanotechnology-based approaches for degrading plastics in the environment, examining how nanomaterials and nano-catalysts can accelerate the breakdown of persistent polymer waste. Deploying nanotechnology for plastic degradation could help address the millions of tonnes entering oceans annually and reduce the ongoing fragmentation of macroplastics into health-hazardous micro- and nanoplastic particles.

Nanomaterials for the Catalytic Degradation and Detection of Microplastics: A Review

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Researchers review how engineered nanomaterials can both detect and catalytically break down microplastics in water, offering a promising toolkit for cleaning up one of the most pervasive and hard-to-remove pollutants now found throughout aquatic environments and the human body.

Microplastic Degradation and Management Via Nanomaterials

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Researchers reviewed nanomaterial-based strategies for microplastic degradation and management, covering photocatalysis, adsorption, and membrane filtration approaches that exploit the high surface area and reactivity of engineered nanomaterials. These methods offer a path toward actively breaking down microplastics rather than simply capturing them, which is critical for reducing the long-term accumulation of plastic particles in ecosystems and human bodies.

Nanotechnology-Enhanced Photocatalysis for Microplastic Degradation: A Sustainable Approach

Enzyme-Assisted Biodegradation of Micro-Nanoplastics: Advances and Future Outlook on the Management of Plastic Pollution

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Researchers reviewed enzyme-assisted biodegradation as an emerging strategy for breaking down micro- and nanoplastics, finding that certain enzymes show promise for accelerating plastic breakdown, though practical large-scale application still requires significant development.