Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Lignin derived hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents for the extraction of nanoplastics from water

Researchers synthesized lignin-based hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (environmentally friendly liquid mixtures) and demonstrated they can extract both polystyrene and PET nanoplastics from water with over 95% efficiency, offering a sustainable approach to nanoplastic detection and removal that avoids conventional synthetic solvents.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Green solvent mediated extraction of micro- and nano-plastic particles from water

Researchers developed a green solvent-based extraction method for isolating micro- and nanoplastic particles from water samples, offering a lower-toxicity alternative to conventional extraction approaches for environmental plastic monitoring.

2023 Scientific Reports 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Combining nanofiltration and electrooxidation for complete removal of nanoplastics from water

Researchers developed a two-step water treatment method that combines nanofiltration (a fine membrane filter) with electrooxidation (using electricity to break down pollutants) to completely remove nanoplastics from water. This approach is significant because nanoplastics are too small for many conventional filters to catch, and this system was able to eliminate them entirely.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 13 citations
Article Tier 2

A solution for controling microplastics in drinking water

Researchers developed and tested a technology for controlling microplastic contamination in drinking water, targeting particles at concentrations relevant to typical tap and bottled water exposure. The solution demonstrated effective removal of microplastics from drinking water under realistic treatment conditions.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Identifying microplastic contamination in drinking water: analysis and evaluation using spectroscopic methods

Researchers developed analytical methods to identify and quantify microplastic contamination in drinking water, evaluating extraction efficiency and detection accuracy across different water types and plastic particle sizes. The study assessed health implications based on measured plastic loads in treated water.

2024 Interdisciplinary Environmental Review
Article Tier 2

Removal of nanoplastics in water treatment processes: A review

This review examines technologies for removing nanoplastics from water, noting that conventional treatment processes effective for larger plastics often fail to capture these tiny particles. Researchers evaluated emerging methods including microbial degradation, membrane filtration, and photocatalysis, finding that combined approaches offer the best removal rates. The study highlights that more research is needed to develop practical, large-scale solutions for nanoplastic contamination in drinking water and wastewater.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 146 citations
Article Tier 2

Tracking nanoplastics in drinking water: a new frontier with the combination of dielectrophoresis and Raman spectroscopy

Researchers developed a new combined technique using dielectrophoresis and Raman spectroscopy to detect and identify nanoplastics in drinking water. The method can trap and concentrate nanoplastic particles that are too small for conventional detection approaches, then chemically identify them. This advancement addresses a critical gap in our ability to monitor nanoscale plastic contamination in water supplies.

2025 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Efficient extraction of polystyrene nanoplastics from water using an ionic liquid

Researchers developed an ionic liquid-based extraction method for efficiently removing polystyrene nanoplastics from water samples. The technique achieved high recovery rates and demonstrated effectiveness for capturing particles at environmentally relevant concentrations. The study offers a promising analytical and remediation tool for addressing nanoplastic contamination in aquatic environments.

2025 Environmental Science Water Research & Technology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Extraction and concentration of nanoplastic particles from aqueous suspensions using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and a magnetic flow cell

Researchers developed a method using hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles to capture and concentrate nanoplastics — plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer — from water samples, achieving recovery rates of 57–85% across different water types including freshwater and seawater. This technique addresses a major gap in nanoplastic research by making it possible to detect and measure these nearly invisible particles in real environmental samples.

2023 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 27 citations
Article Tier 2

A membrane cascade for size-based separation and concentration of nanoplastics in environmental waters

Researchers developed a cascade system of membrane filters that can separate and concentrate nanoplastics from environmental water samples by size. They demonstrated that the system effectively isolates nanoplastic particles while tracking recovery rates using fluorescent markers. The technology addresses a major challenge in nanoplastic research by providing a reliable method to extract these extremely small particles from water for accurate measurement and analysis.

2025 Separation and Purification Technology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

A solution for controling microplastics in drinking water

Researchers developed and tested a system for controlling microplastic contamination in drinking water, reporting on removal efficiency at levels relevant to public health. The approach offered effective microplastic reduction from drinking water sources including tap and bottled water.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Separation and identification of nanoplastics in tap water

Researchers developed a method to separate and identify nanoplastics in tap water, detecting particles as small as 58 nanometers made of common plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene, and PVC. They found nanoplastic concentrations of roughly 1.7 to 2.1 micrograms per liter in tap water samples. The study provides the first feasible approach for measuring these extremely tiny plastic particles in drinking water, highlighting a potential health concern for consumers.

2021 Environmental Research 138 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics Removal from Water using Metal–Organic Framework: Investigation of Adsorption Mechanisms, Kinetics, and Effective Environmental Parameters

Researchers developed a metal-organic framework material that can remove 96% of nanoplastics from water through an adsorption process. The material works by attracting the negatively charged nanoplastic particles to its surface through electrostatic forces and can be regenerated for repeated use. This technology could provide a practical solution for removing the tiniest and most dangerous plastic particles from drinking water.

2023 ACS Applied Engineering Materials 79 citations
Article Tier 2

Membrane processes as a highly effective and eco-friendly technology for treating municipal water contaminated with micro- and nanoplastics.

Researchers evaluated membrane filtration as an environmentally friendly technology for removing micro- and nanoplastics from water, testing different membrane types and pore sizes. Membrane processes showed high removal efficiency for microplastics and outperformed conventional water treatment steps for the smallest particles.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Optimized ExtractionMethods for Pristine and AgedMicroplastics from Complex Water Samples

Researchers optimized extraction protocols for recovering both pristine and UV-aged microplastics from complex water matrices including seawater, wastewater, and drinking water, finding that aged MPs require different treatment conditions than pristine particles to achieve reliable recovery.

2025 Figshare
Review Tier 2

Removal of microplastics and nanoplastics in water treatment processes: A systematic literature review

Researchers systematically reviewed 103 studies across 26 water treatment plants in 12 countries to assess how well various technologies remove microplastics and nanoplastics from drinking water, finding that while coagulation, filtration, and advanced treatments help, significant gaps remain. The review identifies that no single process achieves complete removal, leaving microplastics as a persistent contaminant in treated water supplies.

2024 Journal of Water Process Engineering 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Protein Corona-Mediated Extraction for Quantitative Analysis of Nanoplastics in Environmental Waters by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Scientists developed a new method for detecting and measuring nanoplastics in environmental water samples using a protein-based extraction technique paired with specialized mass spectrometry. The approach works by adding a protein that naturally coats nanoplastic particles, which can then be separated from the water and analyzed. Using this method, researchers detected nanoplastics in both river water and wastewater treatment plant samples, demonstrating a practical tool for monitoring these tiny but potentially harmful contaminants.

2021 Analytical Chemistry 103 citations
Article Tier 2

Development and evaluation of a water treatment system for the removal of microplastics in an aqueous medium.

Researchers developed and evaluated a water treatment system for removing microplastics from aqueous media, addressing the urgent environmental concern of microplastic contamination in rivers, seas, and oceans and assessing the system's effectiveness as a promising water purification technology.

2025 LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and nanoplastics contamination in raw and treated water

Researchers analyzed 189 samples of raw, tap, and bottled drinking water for micro- and nanoplastic contamination. They found plastic particles in every sample tested, with raw water sources containing the highest concentrations and treated tap water containing the lowest, though contamination was never fully eliminated. The study suggests that current water treatment processes reduce but do not completely remove plastic particles from drinking water.

2023 Water Science & Technology Water Supply 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastic on submerged nanofiltration for advanced drinking water treatment

Researchers investigated how microplastics in reservoir water affect the performance of submerged nanofiltration membranes used for drinking water treatment. The study found that the presence of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics influenced the removal of dissolved organic matter by the membrane, with implications for optimizing advanced water treatment processes.

2026 Scientific Reports
Article Tier 2

Effective removal of Micro- and nanoplastics from water using Iron oxide nanoparticles: Mechanisms and optimization

Researchers developed a magnetic separation method using iron oxide nanoparticles to remove micro- and nanoplastics from water, achieving up to 95% removal efficiency within just 20 minutes. The technique works through hydrophobic interactions between the iron oxide particles and plastic surfaces, and was particularly effective for smaller nanoplastics. The method offers a relatively simple, rapid, and cost-effective approach to filtering plastic particles from contaminated water.

2025 Chemical Engineering Journal 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Binary Solvent Extraction of Microplastics from Complex Environmental Matrix.

Researchers tested a two-solvent extraction method for isolating microplastics from complex environmental matrices. An efficient extraction technique is important for accurately detecting and quantifying microplastics in samples like sediment and biological tissue that contain many other organic and inorganic compounds.

2023
Article Tier 2

Strategies for the quantification and characterization of nanoplastics in AOPs research

This study evaluated different laboratory methods for measuring how well water treatment processes break down nanoplastics. The researchers tested techniques including electron microscopy, light scattering, and chemical analysis to track changes in nanoplastic particles during treatment. Having reliable ways to measure nanoplastic removal is critical for developing water treatment methods that can protect drinking water from this emerging contaminant.

2024 Chemical Engineering Journal 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and Quantification of Nanoplastics in Surface Water and Groundwater by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a method combining ultrafiltration and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and quantify nanoplastics in surface water and groundwater. The study successfully detected six types of plastic polymers at the nanoscale in environmental water samples, providing much-needed quantitative data on nanoplastic pollution in real-world water sources.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology 210 citations