Carbon-based adsorbents for micro/nano-plastics removal: current advances and perspectives

Abstract

Carbon-based adsorbents, such as graphene, graphene oxide (GO), activated carbon/biochar (AC/BC), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), metal-modified carbon, and fly ash, are garnering increasing attention due to their exceptional structural properties, enabling their potential effectiveness in removing microplastics and nano-plastics (MPs/NPs) from aqueous solutions. A key attribute contributing to the efficacy of these carbon adsorbents in addressing MPs/NPs is their flexibly tunable surface properties. To advance the applicability of functionalized carbon adsorbents in the context of MPs/NPs removal, it is necessary to highlight their interactions with MPs/NPs in aqueous environments. The review commences by outlining the main adsorption mechanisms. Subsequently, the adsorption behavior of different types of MPs/NPs on carbon-based adsorbents is analyzed and how different factors influence their adsorption performance is examined. Finally, the review concludes by offering insights into prospective avenues for future research concerning functional carbon adsorbents for MPs/NPs removal.

Keywords

Carbonaceous adsorbents / microplastics/nanoplastics / adsorption mechanism / adsorption behavior

References

[1] Zhao K,Dong J.Separation and characterization of microplastic and nanoplastic particles in marine environment.Environ Pollut2022;297:118773

[2] Ali I,Li J.Innovations in the development of promising adsorbents for the remediation of microplastics and nanoplastics - a critical review.Water Res2023;230:119526

[3] Aslani H,Shaghaghi A,Taghipour H.Tendencies towards bottled drinking water consumption: challenges ahead of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste management.Health Promot Perspect2021;11:60-8 PMCID:PMC7967136

[4] Ali I,Li J.Interaction of microplastics and nanoplastics with natural organic matter (NOM) and the impact of NOM on the sorption behavior of anthropogenic contaminants - a critical review.J Clean Prod2022;376:134314

[5] Luo X,Yang L,Zhang Y.A review of analytical methods and models used in atmospheric microplastic research.Sci Total Environ2022;828:154487

[6] Alimi OS,Hernandez LM.Microplastics and nanoplastics in aquatic environments: aggregation, deposition, and enhanced contaminant transport.Environ Sci Technol2018;52:1704-24

[7] Ding J,Sun C.An examination of the occurrence and potential risks of microplastics across various shellfish.Sci Total Environ2020;739:139887

[8] Jahnke A,Escher BI.Reducing uncertainty and confronting ignorance about the possible impacts of weathering plastic in the marine environment.Environ Sci Technol Lett2017;4:85-90

[9] Lang M,Liu J.Fenton aging significantly affects the heavy metal adsorption capacity of polystyrene microplastics.Sci Total Environ2020;722:137762

[10] Wright SL.Plastic and human health: a micro issue?.Environ Sci Technol2017;51:6634-47

[11] Chen Y,Guo L,Qi H.Facile synthesis of functional holocellulose fibers for removal of micro-/nanoparticles of plastics from waste water.Chem Eng J2023;457:141251

[12] Chen Z,Zhang J,Wei W.Nanoplastics are significantly different from microplastics in urban waters.Water Res X2023;19:100169 PMCID:PMC9926019

[13] Wei W,Chen Z,Ni BJ.Polystyrene nanoplastics reshape the anaerobic granular sludge for recovering methane from wastewater.Water Res2020;182:116041

[14] Ali I,Ding T.Micro- and nanoplastics in the environment: Occurrence, detection, characterization and toxicity - a critical review.J Clean Prod2021;313:127863

[15] Ali I,Peng C.Micro- and nanoplastics in wastewater treatment plants: occurrence, removal, fate, impacts and remediation technologies - a critical review.Chem Eng J2021;423:130205

[16] Chen Z,Liu X.Emerging electrochemical techniques for identifying and removing micro/nanoplastics in urban waters.Water Res2022;221:118846

[17] Shi X,Wei W,Ni B.Toxicity of micro/nanoplastics in the environment: roles of plastisphere and eco-corona.Soil Environ Health2023;1:100002

[18] Zhuo M,Liu X,Shen Y.A broad horizon for sustainable catalytic oxidation of microplastics.Environ Pollut2024;340:122835

[19] Ya H,Xing Y,Lv M.Recent advances on ecological effects of microplastics on soil environment.Sci Total Environ2021;798:149338

[20] Ragusa A,Santacroce C.Plasticenta: first evidence of microplastics in human placenta.Environ Int2021;146:106274

[21] Nizzetto L,Futter M.Pollution: do microplastics spill on to farm soils?.Nature2016;537:488

[22] EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM). Presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in food, with particular focus on seafood.EFSA J2016;14:e04501

[23] Baudrimont M,Guégan C.Ecotoxicity of polyethylene nanoplastics from the North Atlantic oceanic gyre on freshwater and marine organisms (microalgae and filter-feeding bivalves).Environ Sci Pollut Res Int2020;27:3746-55

[24] Sharma S,Shetti NP,Aminabhavi TM.Microplastics in the environment: occurrence, perils, and eradication.Chem Eng J2021;408:127317 PMCID:PMC8129922

[25] Shen M,Zhu Y.Removal of microplastics via drinking water treatment: current knowledge and future directions.Chemosphere2020;251:126612

[26] Zhang Z.Effects of microplastics on wastewater and sewage sludge treatment and their removal: a review.Chem Eng J2020;382:122955

[27] Chen Z,Chen X,Shen Y.Upcycling of plastic wastes for hydrogen production: advances and perspectives.Renew Sustain Energy Rev2024;195:114333

[28] Zhang J,Liu Y,Ni B.Removal of emerging contaminants (ECs) from aqueous solutions by modified biochar: a review.Chem Eng J2024;479:147615

[29] Shi X,Wu L,Ni B.Microplastics in municipal solid waste landfills: detection, formation and potential environmental risks.Curr Opin Environ Sci Health2023;31:100433

[30] Zaki MRM.An overview of the effects of nanoplastics on marine organisms.Sci Total Environ2022;831:154757

[31] Wang C,Chen Z,Chen X.Polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics distinctively affect anaerobic sludge treatment for hydrogen and methane production.Sci Total Environ2022;850:158085

[32] Shi X,Liu X,Ni BJ.The photochemical behaviors of microplastics through the lens of reactive oxygen species: photolysis mechanisms and enhancing photo-transformation of pollutants.Sci Total Environ2022;846:157498

[33] Goh PS,Ismail AF,Quen LK.Nanomaterials for microplastic remediation from aquatic environment: why nano matters?.Chemosphere2022;299:134418

[34] Xu Q,Luo T,Wei W.Coagulation removal and photocatalytic degradation of microplastics in urban waters.Chem Eng J2021;416:129123

[35] Ricardo IA,Silva Júnior AH.A critical review on microplastics, interaction with organic and inorganic pollutants, impacts and effectiveness of advanced oxidation processes applied for their removal from aqueous matrices.Chem Eng J2021;424:130282

[36] Ebrahimbabaie P,Pichtel J.Photocatalytic and biological technologies for elimination of microplastics in water: current status.Sci Total Environ2022;806:150603

[37] Masiá P,Ardura A.Bioremediation as a promising strategy for microplastics removal in wastewater treatment plants.Mar Pollut Bull2020;156:111252

[38] Malankowska M,Coronas J.Microplastics in marine environment: a review on sources, classification, and potential remediation by membrane technology.Environ Sci Water Res Technol2021;7:243-58

[39] Fu F.Removal of heavy metal ions from wastewaters: a review.J Environ Manage2011;92:407-18

[40] Tang X,Xu Y,Zhou X.Sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous solution by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide modified fibric peat.J Chem Technol Biotechnol2010;85:1084-91

[41] Zhou Y,Lu P,Lu J.Removal of bisphenol A from aqueous solution using modified fibric peat as a novel biosorbent.Sep Purif Technol2011;81:184-90

[42] Zhou Y,Gu X.Adsorption of divalent heavy metal ions from aqueous solution by citric acid modified pine sawdust.Sep Sci Technol2015;50:245-52

[43] Liu Q,Chen H.Superior adsorption capacity of functionalised straw adsorbent for dyes and heavy-metal ions.J Hazard Mater2020;382:121040

[44] Asere TG,Du Laing G.Use of (modified) natural adsorbents for arsenic remediation: a review.Sci Total Environ2019;676:706-20

[45] Chen Z,Wei W,Ni BJ.Removal of microplastics and nanoplastics from urban waters: separation and degradation.Water Res2022;221:118820

[46] Chen Z,Wei W,Guo W.Emerging adsorbents for micro/nanoplastics removal from contaminated water: advances and perspectives.J Clean Prod2022;371:133676

[47] Arenas L, Ramseier Gentile S, Zimmermann S, Stoll S. Nanoplastics adsorption and removal efficiency by granular activated carbon used in drinking water treatment process.Sci Total Environ2021;791:148175

[48] Kazemi Shariat Panahi H,Ok YS.A comprehensive review of engineered biochar: Production, characteristics, and environmental applications.J Clean Prod2020;270:122462

[49] Tang Y,Su Y,Zhao Y.Removal of microplastics from aqueous solutions by magnetic carbon nanotubes.Chem Eng J2021;406:126804

[50] Yuan F,Zhao H.Study on the adsorption of polystyrene microplastics by three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide.Water Sci Technol2020;81:2163-75

[51] Wang J,Huang QX,Yan JH.Adsorption and thermal degradation of microplastics from aqueous solutions by Mg/Zn modified magnetic biochars.J Hazard Mater2021;419:126486

[52] Wang Q,Shi Z.Magnetic amino-functionalized-MOF(M = Fe, Ti, Zr)@COFs with superior biocompatibility: performance and mechanism on adsorption of azo dyes in soft drinks.Chem Eng J2021;420:129955

[53] Zhao H,Wang L.Removal of polystyrene nanoplastics from aqueous solutions using a novel magnetic material: adsorbability, mechanism, and reusability.Chem Eng J2022;430:133122

[54] Kumar R,Rakib MRJ.Adsorptive behavior of micro(nano)plastics through biochar: co-existence, consequences, and challenges in contaminated ecosystems.Sci Total Environ2023;856:159097

[55] Li Z,Zhang Z,Chen J.Multifunctional sodium alginate/chitosan-modified graphene oxide reinforced membrane for simultaneous removal of nanoplastics, emulsified oil, and dyes in water.Int J Biol Macromol2023;245:125524

[56] Peng G,Wang W.Engineering 3D graphene-like carbon-assembled layered double oxide for efficient microplastic removal in a wide pH range.J Hazard Mater2022;433:128672

[57] Mehmood T,Mackenzie K.Recent developments in microplastic contaminated water treatment: progress and prospects of carbon-based two-dimensional materials for membranes separation.Chemosphere2023;316:137704

[58] Yang X,Zheng Y.Surface functional groups of carbon-based adsorbents and their roles in the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions: a critical review.Chem Eng J2019;366:608-21 PMCID:PMC8437042

[59] Zheng B,Wan H,Cai Y.Coral-inspired environmental durability aerogels for micron-size plastic particles removal in the aquatic environment.J Hazard Mater2022;431:128611

[60] Zhu N,He Y.Insights into the removal of polystyrene nanoplastics using the contaminated corncob-derived mesoporous biochar from mining area.J Hazard Mater2022;433:128756

[61] Wang C,Sun R,Dionysiou DD.Microplastics separation and subsequent carbonization: synthesis, characterization, and catalytic performance of iron/carbon nanocomposite.J Clean Prod2022;330:129901

[62] Li H,Wang J.Theoretical and experimental investigation on rapid and efficient adsorption characteristics of microplastics by magnetic sponge carbon.Sci Total Environ2023;897:165404

[63] Liu Y,Li R.Simultaneous removal of microplastics and doxycycline and preparation of novel hollow carbon nanocakes by pyrolysis.Chem Eng J2023;472:144999

[64] Ganie ZA,Tiwari E,Darbha GK.Biochar-facilitated remediation of nanoplastic contaminated water: effect of pyrolysis temperature induced surface modifications.J Hazard Mater2021;417:126096

[65] Sun C,Chen L.Fabrication of robust and compressive chitin and graphene oxide sponges for removal of microplastics with different functional groups.Chem Eng J2020;393:124796

[66] Cui L,Gao L.EDTA functionalized magnetic graphene oxide for removal of Pb(II), Hg(II) and Cu(II) in water treatment: adsorption mechanism and separation property.Chem Eng J2015;281:1-10

[67] Siipola V,Romar H,Koukkari P.Low-cost biochar adsorbents for water purification including microplastics removal.Appl Sci2020;10:788

[68] Abdoul Magid ASI,Chen Y.Enhanced adsorption of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) onto oxidized corncob biochar with high pyrolysis temperature.Sci Total Environ2021;784:147115

[69] Atugoda T,Wijesekara H.Interactions between microplastics, pharmaceuticals and personal care products: implications for vector transport.Environ Int2021;149:106367

[70] Singh N,Ganie ZA,Darbha GK.Eco-friendly magnetic biochar: an effective trap for nanoplastics of varying surface functionality and size in the aqueous environment.Chem Eng J2021;418:129405

[71] Zhou G,Xu H.Removal of polystyrene nanoplastics from water by Cu–Ni carbon material: the role of adsorption.Sci Total Environ2022;820:153190

[72] Li H,Li J,Zhang S.Adsorption of three pesticides on polyethylene microplastics in aqueous solutions: kinetics, isotherms, thermodynamics, and molecular dynamics simulation.Chemosphere2021;264:128556

[73] Ho YS,Mckay G.Kinetics of pollutant sorption by biosorbents: review.Sep Purif Methods2000;29:189-232

[74] Zhang J,He H.Adsorption behavior and mechanism of 9-nitroanthracene on typical microplastics in aqueous solutions.Chemosphere2020;245:125628

[75] Guo X,Wang J.Sorption of sulfamethazine onto different types of microplastics: a combined experimental and molecular dynamics simulation study.Mar Pollut Bull2019;145:547-54

[76] Zhang H,Zhou B.Enhanced adsorption of oxytetracycline to weathered microplastic polystyrene: kinetics, isotherms and influencing factors.Environ Pollut2018;243:1550-7

[77] Wadhawan S,Nayyar J.Role of nanomaterials as adsorbents in heavy metal ion removal from waste water: a review.J Water Process Eng2020;33:101038

[78] Rajendran S,Senthil Kumar P.A critical and recent developments on adsorption technique for removal of heavy metals from wastewater - a review.Chemosphere2022;303:135146

[79] Al-Ghouti MA.Guidelines for the use and interpretation of adsorption isotherm models: a review.J Hazard Mater2020;393:122383

[80] Freundlich H.Over the adsorption in solution.J Phys Chem1906;57:1100-7

[81] Febrianto J,Sunarso J,Indraswati N.Equilibrium and kinetic studies in adsorption of heavy metals using biosorbent: a summary of recent studies.J Hazard Mater2009;162:616-45

[82] Tiwari E,Khandelwal N,Darbha GK.Application of Zn/Al layered double hydroxides for the removal of nano-scale plastic debris from aqueous systems.J Hazard Mater2020;397:122769