Papers

61,005 results
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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
Review Tier 2

How Do Micro‐ and Nanoplastics (MNPs) Affect Contaminant Removal by Nano Zero‐Valent Iron (nZVI) in Water and Soil?: A Review

This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics interfere with nano zero-valent iron (nZVI), a widely used material for cleaning up contaminated groundwater and soil, finding that plastic particles typically reduce nZVI's effectiveness by clogging reactive sites and causing premature aging. The finding matters because it suggests that microplastic contamination at remediation sites could undermine cleanup efforts for other pollutants like heavy metals and organic compounds, requiring modified iron formulations (such as sulfidated nZVI) to maintain performance.

2026 CLEAN - Soil Air Water
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

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
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

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

Facile synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4/analcime nanocomposite for the efficient removal of Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous media

This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it synthesises a magnetic Fe3O4/analcime nanocomposite for removing copper and cadmium ions from water, focused on heavy metal remediation.

2023 Discover Nano 9 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
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

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

Micro- and Nano-Plastics Contaminants in the Environment: Sources, Fate, Toxicity, Detection, Remediation, and Sustainable Perspectives

This review provides a broad overview of micro- and nanoplastic pollution, covering where these particles come from, how they spread through the environment, and the damage they cause to living things including humans. The authors also compare different methods for removing microplastics from the environment, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. The paper calls for more research and global cooperation to develop better tools for measuring the health risks of plastic pollution.

2023 Water 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and other pollutants in the aquatic environment: study of interactions and new removal strategies

Researchers evaluated iron magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with varying surface modifications -- bare Fe3O4, TEOS-coated, and TEOS+MPS-coated -- for removing four types of microplastics (Nylon 6, PTFE at two sizes, and PMMA) from water, assessing how surface chemistry and synthesis time affect removal efficiency.

2025 Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT)
Review Tier 2

A review on microplastics: sources, environmental fate, degradation pathways, and analytical identification methods.

This review paper summarizes existing research on tiny plastic particles called microplastics and how scientists detect them in the environment. Microplastics are a growing concern because they contaminate our air, water, and food, potentially affecting human health when we breathe or eat them. The researchers found that new, cheaper detection methods could help us better monitor these plastic particles and understand their impact on our health and environment.

2026 RSC advances
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

Surface wettability control and electron transport regulation in zerovalent iron for enhanced removal of emerging polystyrene microplastics-heavy metal contaminants

Researchers developed a specially engineered iron-based material that can simultaneously remove microplastics and heavy metals from wastewater by combining a water-repelling outer layer with efficient electron transfer at its core. In tests, the material removed over 99% of polystyrene microplastics and prevented the secondary release of heavy metals that often ride along on plastic particles. This addresses the concern that microplastics act as a "Trojan horse," carrying toxic metals into water supplies and living organisms.

2024 Water Research 25 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

Microplastics as carriers of iron and copper nanoparticles in aqueous solution

Researchers investigated how three common types of microplastics absorb iron and copper nanoparticles from water. They found that all three plastics could adsorb significant amounts of metal nanoparticles on their surfaces through physical attachment, with maximum absorption occurring under alkaline conditions. The findings highlight how microplastics can serve as carriers of metal pollutants in aquatic environments, potentially increasing their spread and ecological impact.

2023 Chemosphere 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Overview of microplastics in the environment: type, source, potential effects and removal strategies

This review examines microplastic types, sources, and health effects across land and marine environments, discussing remediation technologies and emphasizing the need for international cooperation to address this global pollution challenge.

2022 Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Fe-Ti Mixed Nanoparticles for Enhanced Lead Removal from Aqueous Solutions

Researchers developed iron-titanium mixed oxide nanoparticles using an environmentally friendly synthesis method and tested their ability to remove lead from water. The nanoparticles achieved up to 98.1% lead removal efficiency and could be regenerated and reused for multiple treatment cycles. While not directly about microplastics, this green nanotechnology approach addresses the broader challenge of removing persistent contaminants from water.

2025 Molecules 2 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

Magnetic Cobalt and Other Types of Ferrite Nanoparticles: Synthesis Aspects and Novel Strategies for Application in Wastewater Treatment (Review)

This review examines how magnetic ferrite nanoparticles can be used to remove pollutants from wastewater through both physical adsorption and light-activated chemical breakdown. While focused on water treatment technology rather than microplastics directly, these nanoparticles could potentially be used to capture or degrade microplastics and the toxic chemicals they carry. Advances in wastewater treatment are essential for reducing the amount of microplastics that reach drinking water sources.

2025 Applied Sciences 20 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

Removal of microplastics from water by magnetic nano-Fe3O4

Researchers developed a method for removing microplastics from water using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles that attach to plastic surfaces, allowing the particles to be pulled out with a magnet. The technique achieved removal rates above 80% for common microplastic types in environmental water samples including river water, sewage, and seawater, suggesting a practical approach for water treatment.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 276 citations