Advancing micro- and nanoplastics mitigation: functional materials, hybrid treatment trains, and TEA-LCA pathways for sustainable water systems

• Hybrid trains remove >95% microplastics while limiting fouling. • Functional membranes cut irreversible fouling and stabilize flux. • Magnetic/biochar adsorbents rapidly capture MNPs and are reusable. • Coagulation pre-treatment lowers membrane energy and cleaning demand. • TEA–LCA shows multi-barrier systems need energy–carbon optimization. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have become enduring pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, posing escalating threats to biological communities and human well-being and necessitating advanced separation methodologies. Functional membranes and engineered adsorbents with customized surface chemistry, wettability, and porosity have demonstrated significant potential for extracting MNPs from potable water, sewage, and industrial discharges. This review meticulously scrutinizes recent progress in MNP-focused separation materials and system architectures, accentuating the influence of particle size, polymeric composition, environmental degradation, and biofilm interactions on removal efficacy. Polymeric, ceramic, and hybrid membranes, in conjunction with mineral- and bio-derived adsorbents, are evaluated concerning antifouling capacity, regeneration potential, and compatibility with concurrent contaminant removal. Emerging process configurations, including membrane bioreactors, dynamic filtration systems, and hybrid adsorption–oxidation methodologies, are examined with respect to hydraulic performance, fouling progression, and energy requirements. The review underscores that aggregation or immobilization should not be misconstrued as genuine eradication, emphasizing the necessity for enduring containment strategies. Principal challenges, such as material deterioration, secondary microplastic formation, analytical ambiguity, and limited techno-economic evaluations, are discussed. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 12, this work proposes an integrated framework amalgamating advanced materials, optimized system architecture, and digital oversight for sustainable MNP abatement.