Environmental concerns, materials challenges and opportunities to address growing microplastics pollution

The issue of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) pollution is a significant environmental concern with potential implications for human health and ecosystem stability. Addressing this problem requires a multifaceted approach that involves understanding the sources and impacts of these particles, developing effective detection and monitoring methods, and implementing strategies to mitigate their release and accumulation in the human body and the environment. Materials science plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges and offers opportunities for developing innovative solutions. This review presents the materials-related challenges and characterizations of MPs/NPs and opportunities to address growing MPs/NPs pollution based on advanced materials. In addition, the methods, i.e., biological method, filtration, decomposition by advanced oxidation process, electrochemical condenser method, etc., for the resolution of MP pollution are also mentioned in this review.