Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Heavy metal remediation by nano zero-valent iron in the presence of microplastics in groundwater: Inhibition and induced promotion on aging effects

Researchers found that microplastics in groundwater significantly influenced the performance of nano zero-valent iron used for heavy metal remediation, with some microplastic types inhibiting and others promoting the aging and reactivity of the nanomaterial depending on polymer type and concentration.

2021 Environmental Pollution 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental remediation approaches by nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) based on its reductivity: a review

This review covers how nanoscale zero-valent iron particles can be used to clean up contaminated wastewater through chemical reduction of pollutants like heavy metals and organic compounds. While not directly about microplastics, these remediation technologies are relevant because they represent advanced approaches to treating the kinds of contaminated water that often also contains microplastic pollution.

2024 RSC Advances 66 citations
Article Tier 2

The influence of various microplastics on PBDEs contaminated soil remediation by nZVI and sulfide-nZVI: Impedance, electron-accepting/-donating capacity and aging

PVC, PS, and PP microplastics in contaminated soil inhibited the degradation of the brominated flame retardant BDE209 by nano-zero-valent iron and sulfided nZVI to varying degrees, with inhibition linked to microplastic impedance and electron-accepting capacity, while microplastics themselves showed aging and fragmentation during the remediation process.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Mini review on the application research of nanoscale zero valent iron in water treatment

This mini-review covers nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) particles as tools for environmental pollution control, capable of adsorbing and chemically reducing heavy metals and organic contaminants in water. These nanomaterials are also being explored for microplastic removal and the breakdown of plastic-associated chemical pollutants in water treatment.

2023 Proceedings of International Exchange and Innovation Conference on Engineering & Sciences (IEICES) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Sulfidated Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron (S-nZVI) Facilitates Remediation and Safe Crop Production in Cr(VI) and Microplastics Co-contaminated Soil

Researchers tested sulfidated nanoscale zero-valent iron as a way to clean up agricultural soil contaminated with both chromium and microplastics. The treatment effectively reduced toxic chromium levels and helped trap microplastics, making it safer to grow crops in the contaminated soil. The study offers a promising approach for addressing the growing problem of combined heavy metal and microplastic contamination in farmland.

2025 ACS ES&T Engineering 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent Advances in Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron (nZVI)-Based Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs): Applications, Mechanisms, and Future Prospects

This review covers how tiny iron particles called nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) can be used to break down organic pollutants in water through advanced chemical reactions. These methods show promise for cleaning up contaminated environments, including water sources affected by plastic-related and other industrial pollutants. The technology is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, though challenges remain in scaling it up.

2023 Nanomaterials 67 citations
Article Tier 2

Distinctive adsorption and desorption behaviors of temporal and post-treatment heavy metals by iron nanoparticles in the presence of microplastics

Microplastics inhibited adsorption of most heavy metals by nano-zero-valent iron and facilitated their desorption during post-treatment, with the effect primarily affecting metals binding through surface complexation or electrostatic interaction rather than metals involved in redox reactions, providing insights for improved contaminated site remediation.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Improved Cadmium Removal Induced by Interaction of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron and Microplastics Debris

Researchers investigated how PVC microplastics interact with nanoscale zero-valent iron used to remove cadmium from contaminated water. The presence of microplastics actually enhanced cadmium removal, likely due to adsorption on the plastic surface. These findings are relevant because PVC production uses cadmium compounds, meaning both pollutants may co-occur in real environments.

2023 Journal of Environmental Engineering 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Remediation of Micropalstic-heavy Metal Cocontaminated Soils Using Nanoscale Zero-valent Iron Supported on Palygorskite: Mechanisms and Effectiveness

Researchers developed a remediation approach for soils co-contaminated with microplastics and heavy metals using nanoscale zero-valent iron supported on palygorskite. The composite material effectively inhibited microplastic migration in soil and reduced heavy metal mobility, with the microplastic content in deeper soil layers remaining at only about 8% of initial levels after treatment.

2025 Applied Ecology and Environmental Research 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Peer Review #2 of "Zero-valent iron nanoparticles for environmental Hg (II) removal: a review (v0.2)"

Not relevant to microplastics — this is a peer review document for a paper on using zero-valent iron nanoparticles to remove mercury contamination from soil and water environments.

2023
Article Tier 2

Remediation strategies for micro/nanoplastic pollution using magnetic nanomaterials

This review surveys recent developments in using magnetic nanomaterials, such as iron oxide nanoparticles and magnetic composites, to remove micro- and nanoplastics from water and soil. These materials can capture plastic particles through adsorption, help clump them together for removal, or even break them down, and they can be magnetically recovered for reuse. The study highlights that magnetic nanomaterials offer a promising approach for cleaning up plastic pollution, though challenges remain in scaling up for real-world use.

2025 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Improved Delivery of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron Particles and Simplified Design Tools for Effective Aquifer Nanoremediation

This paper is not about microplastics; it presents laboratory tests and modeling tools for injecting nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles into contaminated aquifers for groundwater remediation.

2023 Water 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Driving synergistic Fe-N-Plastic co-metabolism and functional microbial symbiosis via nZVI@RA for enhanced decontamination in constructed wetlands

Researchers developed a recycled aggregate-supported nano-zero valent iron material (nZVI@RA) and demonstrated that it profoundly reshapes microbial communities in constructed wetlands to enhance synergistic iron, nitrogen, and nanoplastic co-metabolism, improving simultaneous decontamination performance.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Nanoremediation: A New and Emerging Technology

This chapter reviews nanoremediation -- the use of engineered nanoparticles to clean up contaminated soil and water -- and notes that nano- and microplastic pollution is an emerging contaminant that these technologies could help address. The author discusses how carbon nanotubes, zero-valent iron, and magnetic nanoparticles can remove organic pollutants and metals, and suggests these same approaches may have promise for removing microplastics from the environment. The technology is still in early stages and relatively expensive.

2023 Apple Academic Press eBooks 3 citations
Article Tier 2

A Review of Materials for the Removal of Micro- and Nanoplastics from Different Environments

This review evaluates methods for removing microplastics and nanoplastics from water, soil, and air, finding that traditional approaches like filtration work for larger particles but struggle with nanoscale plastics. Newer technologies like magnetic nanoparticles and photocatalysis show promise, but challenges remain in making these solutions affordable and scalable for real-world cleanup.

2025 Micro 16 citations
Review Tier 2

Nitrate Removal by Zero-Valent Metals: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review examines the use of zero-valent metals for removing nitrate contamination from water, covering reaction mechanisms, efficiency factors, and practical applications. While not directly focused on microplastics, the study is relevant to understanding water treatment technologies that address co-occurring contaminants in polluted water systems.

2022 Sustainability 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Deciphering the Role of Heavy Metals in Zero-Valent Iron-Driven Dechlorination of PVC Microplastics under Mild Condition

Researchers demonstrated that nanoscale zerovalent iron facilitates aging and dechlorination of PVC microplastics under mild anaerobic conditions, with heavy metals modulating efficiency — nickel and copper promoted dechlorination through electron transfer enhancement while chromium inhibited the process. The dechlorination efficiency followed a ranking of Ni > Cu > Co > Cr based on their distinct effects on active iron phase formation.

2025 Environmental Science & Technology
Article Tier 2

Carboxymethylcellulose-modified nano-zero-valent iron (C-nZVI) promotes ryegrass phytoremediation of cadmium in sediments co-contaminated with multiple microplastics: Mechanisms revealed by PLS-PM

A study found that applying carboxymethylcellulose-modified nano-zero-valent iron (C-nZVI) to soils co-contaminated with cadmium and six types of microplastics significantly boosted ryegrass growth and cadmium uptake while stabilising the metal in a less bioavailable form in the sediment. The results suggest C-nZVI could help rehabilitate agricultural soils facing the increasingly common problem of simultaneous microplastic and heavy-metal pollution.

2026 Journal of Environmental Management
Article Tier 2

Deciphering theRole of Heavy Metals in Zero-ValentIron-Driven Dechlorination of PVC Microplastics under Mild Condition

Researchers demonstrated that nanoscale zerovalent iron can effectively dechlorinate PVC microplastics under mild anaerobic conditions, with heavy metals playing a critical modulating role — nickel and copper promoted dechlorination while chromium significantly inhibited it. The dechlorination efficiency ranking of Ni > Cu > Co > Cr reflects differences in electron transfer promotion and active iron phase formation.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Nanostructured materials for efficient microplastic cleanup from soil and water: current trends and future prospects

This review evaluates nanostructured materials as tools for removing microplastics from contaminated soil and water environments. Researchers found that engineered nanomaterials, including zinc-based hybrids and carbon-based systems, achieved recovery rates between 80% and 100% under optimized conditions. The study highlights these materials as a promising remediation strategy while noting the need for more realistic testing conditions and scalable approaches.

2026 Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews