J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2026, Vol. 263: 97-116.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2025.10.051

• Review Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

State-of-the-art evolution of detection, adsorption, and degradation of micro/nano-plastics

Yanghanbin Zhanga, Chongbei Wuc, Dongxiao Wena,*, Jiahe Penga, Qian Zhoub,*, Xiaoyi Jianga, Yuandong Zhaod, Jizhou Jianga,e,*   

  1. aSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Green and Efficient Development of Phosphorus Resources, Engineering Research Center of Phosphorus Resources Development and Utilization of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry and Advanced Materials, Novel Catalytic Materials of Hubei Engineering Research Center, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China;
    bHubei Research Institute of Products Quality Supervision and Inspection, Wuhan 430070, China;
    cHebei Center for Industrial Energy-saving and Pollution Control Research, Hebei Key Laboratory of Man-machine Environmental Thermal Control Technology and Equipment, Hebei Vocational University of Technology and Engineering, Xingtai 054000, China;
    dShiyan Key Laboratory of Functional Powder Materials, Hubei Qinba New Materials Co., Ltd, Shiyan 442000, China;
    eCollege of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
  • Received:2025-08-09 Revised:2025-10-28 Accepted:2025-10-28 Published:2026-08-20 Online:2026-08-19
  • Contact: *E-mail addresses: wdx202406@163.com (D. Wen), zhoude1214@163.com (Q. Zhou), 027wit@163.com (J. Jiang).

Abstract: The pervasive presence of micro/nano-plastics (MNPs) in environmental and biological systems has become a global concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and associated health risks. However, reliable detection, efficient removal, and sustainable degradation of MNPs remain formidable challenges, primarily because of their nanoscale dimensions, chemical heterogeneity, and complex environmental aging. Conventional analytical techniques suffer from limited sensitivity and poor applicability in heterogeneous matrices, while current mitigation strategies often exhibit low efficiency and environmental incompatibility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in rapid MNPs detection technologies, including surface-enhanced Raman scattering, thermal analysis, atomic force microscopy, and emerging portable sensing platforms, emphasizing high-throughput and intelligent screening. Advances in adsorption and degradation are also systematically summarized, spanning functionalized adsorbents, catalytic and plasma-assisted pathways, and enzymatic processes. The integration of machine learning with miniaturized devices is highlighted as a promising direction for real-time monitoring and large-scale remediation. By outlining existing bottlenecks and future opportunities, this review aims to guide the development of next-generation technologies for the sustainable management of plastic pollution.

Key words: Micro/nano-plastics, Rapid detection, Adsorption, Degradation, Machine learning