Iron‐Based Catalysts for the Removal of Microplastics

The pervasive pollution of water by microplastics (MPs) presents a significant environmental challenge, urging the exploration of innovative removal technologies. This review examines the potential of iron‐based catalysts for the degradation of MPs, considering their abundance, low toxicity, and catalytic versatility of iron. Conventional physical and chemical methods have shown limited efficiency in addressing the inert structures of MPs, whereas iron‐based photocatalytic, Fenton, and electrocatalytic approaches demonstrate promising pathways for the degradation of MPs under environmentally friendly conditions. This review looks into photocatalytic mechanisms, highlighting the generation of reactive oxygen species facilitated by iron oxides and nanostructured materials, and evaluates their performance under varied reaction conditions. Furthermore, advancements in Fenton and Fenton‐like reactions are discussed, emphasizing hybrid strategies integrating thermal, photothermal, and microbial components to enhance degradation efficiency. Electrocatalysis, though not yet deeply explored with iron‐based materials, emerges as a complementary path with potential for MPs removal. Challenges such as scalability and the recovery of catalysts are identified, alongside recommendations for developing iron‐based systems. This review underlines the pivotal role of iron catalysts in advancing sustainable solutions for MPs remediation and calls for interdisciplinary collaborations to bridge gaps in material design and environmental issues.