Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Selection of engineered degradation method to remove microplastics from aquatic environments

This review evaluates engineered degradation methods developed to remove microplastics from aquatic environments, addressing the difficulty of natural breakdown due to plastic hydrophobicity and chemical stability. The authors compare physical, chemical, photocatalytic, and biological methods, providing a framework for selecting the most appropriate degradation approach based on particle type, concentration, and treatment context.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 7 citations
Article Tier 2

On the degradation of (micro)plastics: Degradation methods, influencing factors, environmental impacts

This review provides a comprehensive overview of methods for degrading microplastics, including photodegradation, thermal degradation, and biodegradation, along with the factors that influence each process. Researchers found that while several degradation approaches show promise in laboratory settings, no mature and effective method is yet available for large-scale engineering applications or natural environments. The study also discusses how degradation products of microplastics can themselves pose environmental risks.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 371 citations
Article Tier 2

Photocatalytic and biological technologies for elimination of microplastics in water: Current status

This review examines emerging photocatalytic and biological technologies for breaking down microplastics in water, since conventional treatment facilities can capture but not fully destroy these particles. Researchers found that while photocatalysis and microbial degradation show promise, their effectiveness varies widely and the underlying mechanisms are only partly understood. The study highlights the urgent need for more efficient solutions to eliminate rather than simply filter out microplastic pollution from water supplies.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 137 citations
Article Tier 2

Microorganism-Mediated Microplastic Degradation Methods and Mechanism

This review examines microorganism-mediated methods and mechanisms for microplastic degradation, covering advanced oxidative processes, electrochemical oxidation, direct photodegradation, and biological degradation pathways. The authors summarize current knowledge on microbial treatment approaches as an alternative to conventional methods unsuited to the small particle size of microplastics.

2024
Article Tier 2

Microplastic degradation methods and corresponding degradation mechanism: Research status and future perspectives

This review summarizes current methods for degrading microplastics, including advanced oxidation processes, biodegradation, and thermal treatments, along with their underlying mechanisms. The study highlights that while several approaches show promise in laboratory settings, challenges remain in scaling these technologies for real-world environmental remediation of microplastic pollution.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 313 citations
Article Tier 2

Catalyst Design and Engineering for Enhanced Microplastic Degradation and Upcycling—A Review

This review examined current approaches to microplastic degradation and upcycling, covering photocatalysis, biodegradation, and chemical conversion technologies. The authors identified key challenges in catalyst design and engineering needed to achieve efficient breakdown of microplastics at scale.

2025 Catalysts
Systematic Review Tier 1

Systematic Review of Degradation Processes for Microplastics: Progress and Prospects

This systematic review summarizes existing research on different methods for breaking down microplastics, including photodegradation, chemical oxidation, and biological approaches. The study evaluates how effective each technique is at destroying microplastics and discusses which methods show the most promise for real-world application. Finding effective ways to degrade microplastics is critical because these particles persist in the environment for hundreds of years and continue to enter our food and water.

2023 Sustainability 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Current progress on plastic/microplastic degradation: Fact influences and mechanism

This review examined current physicochemical and biological methods for degrading plastics and microplastics, including mechanical, UV, thermal, and microbial approaches. Researchers found that while multiple degradation pathways exist, their efficiency varies widely depending on polymer type and environmental conditions. The study highlights the need for more effective and scalable degradation technologies to address growing plastic pollution.

2022 Environmental Pollution 308 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic degradation methods

This review examines methods for degrading microplastics, which are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm that have become ubiquitous contaminants throughout the biosphere. Researchers synthesized physical, chemical, and biological degradation approaches, evaluating their efficacy for reducing microplastic persistence in the environment and mitigating associated health and ecological risks.

2025 Repository of the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Degradation and Remediation Techniques

This review surveys degradation and remediation techniques for microplastics -- particles from 0.1 micrometers to 5 mm -- including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. The authors evaluate the effectiveness of current methods and identify promising directions for reducing the persistent environmental and health impacts of microplastic pollution.

2024
Article Tier 2

From Pollution to Solution: Scalable Approaches to Microplastic Degradation and Sustainability: A Review

This review examined scalable approaches to microplastic degradation and pollution control, covering photocatalytic, biological, and chemical degradation strategies as well as source reduction policies. The authors assessed both technical feasibility and implementation barriers for transitioning from pollution to solution at industrial scales.

2025 Asian Journal of Chemistry
Article Tier 2

Application of Nanomaterials in the Degradation of Micro and Nano Plastics

This review examined the application of nanomaterials for degrading micro- and nanoplastics, covering photocatalytic, oxidative, and biological nanomaterial approaches and evaluating their efficiency and scalability for plastic pollution remediation.

2024 BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBLISHERS eBooks
Article Tier 2

How to Build a Microplastics‐Free Environment: Strategies for Microplastics Degradation and Plastics Recycling

This review examines strategies for degrading microplastics and recycling plastic waste to build a microplastic-free environment. Researchers evaluated approaches including biodegradation, photocatalytic degradation, advanced oxidation processes, and chemical recycling methods. The study highlights that while promising technologies exist, no single method can yet achieve complete microplastic elimination, and a combination of prevention, removal, and recycling strategies will be needed.

2022 Advanced Science 275 citations
Article Tier 2

Removal Mechanisms of Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyvinyl Chloride, Polyamide (Nylon), Polystyrene and Polyethylene Terephthalate in Wastewater Treatment Plants by Chemical, Photocatalytic, Biodegradation and Hybrid Processes

This review examines chemical, photocatalytic, biodegradation, and hybrid methods for removing common plastic polymers from wastewater treatment systems. Researchers found that while individual treatment approaches show promise for degrading specific plastic types, hybrid processes combining multiple methods tend to achieve more effective microplastic removal.

2023 International Journal of Environmental Engineering and Development 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Global challenges in microplastics: From fundamental understanding to advanced degradations toward sustainable strategies

This review examined global challenges in microplastic research — from environmental entry pathways and fate to human health impacts — and discussed potential degradation strategies, concluding that a combination of photocatalysis, biodegradation, and policy measures will be needed for sustainable management.

2020 Chemosphere 101 citations
Article Tier 2

Photocatalytic Degradation and Remediation of Microplastics

This review chapter examines photocatalysis as a remediation strategy for microplastic pollution in aquatic and terrestrial environments, describing how solar energy conversion drives chemical reactions that degrade plastic particles. The authors assess the current state of photocatalytic methods, their mechanisms, and their potential for sustainable microplastic removal.

2024 Microplastics
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in the Environment: A Chemical Engineering Perspective on Sources, Fate, and Mitigation Strategies

This review examined microplastic pollution through a chemical engineering lens, analyzing the full contaminant lifecycle from formation and environmental transport to detection and removal. The authors synthesized conventional and advanced treatment technologies—including membrane filtration, photocatalysis, and electrocoagulation—evaluating their efficiency and scalability for environmental remediation.

2025 Polymers
Article Tier 2

Countering microplastics pollution with photocatalysis: Challenge and prospects

This review summarized the use of photocatalysis for degrading microplastics, covering catalyst types, reaction mechanisms, and operational parameters, and discussing challenges including the stability of highly polymerized plastics and prospects for scaling photocatalytic treatment to address environmental microplastic pollution.

2023 Progress in Natural Science Materials International 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Confronting microplastic pollution: integrative approaches for a sustainable future

This mini-review surveys current strategies for combating microplastic pollution, covering physical, chemical, biological, and adsorption-based remediation methods. The study suggests that integrating multiple approaches and advancing biodegradation research will be essential for effectively addressing microplastic contamination across terrestrial and aquatic environments.

2026 South Florida Journal of Development
Article Tier 2

Catalytic and biocatalytic degradation of microplastics

This review covers the current state of breaking down microplastics using catalysts and biological agents including enzymes, metals, nanomaterials, and microorganisms. While some approaches show promise for degrading certain plastic types, the field is still developing standardized methods for measuring how well these techniques work. Finding effective ways to break down microplastics is critical for reducing the environmental and health burden of plastic pollution.

2023 Exploration 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent Advances in Microplastics Removal from Water with Special Attention Given to Photocatalytic Degradation: Review of Scientific Research

This review examines methods for removing microplastics from water, with a focus on photocatalytic degradation, which uses light-activated materials to break down plastic particles. These advanced processes generate reactive molecules that can fragment microplastics into harmless byproducts. While promising, the technology still needs optimization and more research into potential harmful byproducts before it can be widely deployed.

2023 Microplastics 87 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Pollution and its Remediation

This publication reviews the growing problem of microplastic pollution in the environment and explores biological and technological strategies for remediation, including microbial degradation and engineered solutions. It highlights the urgent need for practical cleanup approaches as microplastics continue to accumulate across ecosystems worldwide.

2024 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Innovations in chemical degradation technologies for the removal of micro/nano-plastics in water: A comprehensive review

This review summarizes advances in chemical degradation technologies for removing micro- and nanoplastics from water, including photocatalysis, Fenton-based reactions, electrochemical oxidation, and micro/nanomotor approaches. Researchers analyzed the key factors that influence degradation effectiveness, such as particle properties and operating conditions. The study identifies current challenges and outlines future directions for developing practical chemical methods to address plastic pollution in water systems.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Degradation of Micro- and Nano-Plastics by Photocatalytic Methods

This paper reviews photocatalytic methods — using light-activated catalysts — as a way to break down micro- and nano-plastics in the environment. These approaches offer a promising path toward degrading persistent plastic particles that accumulate in marine and drinking water systems.

2017 Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Applications 56 citations