Harnessing Nanomaterials for the Mitigation of Micro-nanoplastics
摘要
The broad environmental spread of micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) has set off the need for innovative solutions for their management. Recently, nanomaterials have emerged as efficient plastic degrading agents because of their high specific surface area, ease of tunability, and excellent plasmonic properties. This chapter examines various nanomaterials that transform and reduce (MNPs) in the environment. We begin by analyzing widely used nanomaterials such as metal, metal oxide, carbon, and organic nanocomposites. We explain their degradation mechanism, including chemical oxidation, photothermal breakdown, and catalytic transformation. The chapter discusses how the presence of nanomaterials supports rapid degradation of (MNPs). The underlined phenomena such as Fenton-like reactions, photocatalysis, and surface plasmon resonance help break down (MNPs) into smaller, less harmful, mineralized end-products. In the end, the chapter discusses the ways of integrating some of such nanomaterials into filtration and capture systems for efficient environmental remediation.