From Fragment to Fallout: Innovative Approaches to Analysis and Removal of Microplastics and Nanoplastics
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 4
Special Issue Editor
Interests: nanoplastics and microplastics countermeasures; biocompatible dental materials; biocompatible medical imaging contrast agents; green chemistry, toxicology and nanotoxicology; immunology; neuroscience; PAHs; PFAs; infectious disease; materials engineering; clean energy
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Microplastic and nanoplastic pollution are at the forefront of global environmental and policy discussions, especially as international negotiations for a legally binding plastics treaty unfold in Geneva. These pollutants are now widespread across marine, freshwater, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health. This Special Issue of Materials focuses on emerging technologies and materials for the detection, analysis, and removal of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), with an emphasis on integrated, scalable, and sustainable solutions. We welcome original research and comprehensive reviews covering advanced analytical techniques, sorbent and membrane-based removal technologies, photocatalytic degradation, and depolymerization strategies that convert plastics back into monomers or benign byproducts. Materials and methods of depolymerization are also of interest, especially those capable of degrading complex plastic polymers under environmentally relevant conditions.
This issue also invites studies addressing the fate and behavior of chemical additives—such as plasticizers, flame retardants, UV stabilizers, and antimicrobial agents—which are often released from or associated with plastic debris. These additives can increase toxicity and persistence, complicating removal and regulatory assessment. Multidisciplinary approaches that combine materials science, environmental chemistry, toxicology, and engineering are encouraged to address this global challenge holistically. This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for innovative research that supports evidence-based policy and next-generation plastic mitigation technologies.
Dr. Leisha M. A. Martin
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- microplastics
- nanoplastics
- plastic additives
- depolymerization
- photocatalysis
- membrane filtration
- sorbent materials
- advanced analytical methods
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