Knowledge domain and emerging trends in nanoparticles and plants interaction research: A scientometric analysis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Ecotoxicology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Increasing global production and application of nanoparticles (NPs) raise concerns about their release into soil ecosystems.
• Understanding nanoparticle-plant interactions is vital for assessing ecological risks.
• Existing research on NP-plant interactions is extensive but fragmented, necessitating a comprehensive review.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scientometric analysis of scientific progress in nanoparticle-plant interactions.
• To identify key research themes, emerging trends, and knowledge gaps in the field.
• To provide future research perspectives on NP-plant interactions.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed on the Web of Science core collection for documents published between January 2000 and July 2020.
• CiteSpace software was utilized for scientometric analysis of 961 collected documents.
• Analysis encompassed nine scientometric indicators, including publication trends, contributing entities, and citation patterns.

Main Results:

• The field of nano-plant interaction research has experienced significant growth, with an average annual increase of 56% in studies.
• Research contributions span 71 countries and approximately 3380 authors.
• Key journals include Environmental Science and Technology, Science of the Total Environment, and Environmental Pollution. Keyword analysis indicates emerging trends in beneficial NP effects and trophic transfer.

Conclusions:

• The scientometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the research landscape in nanoparticle-plant interactions.
• Identified research gaps highlight the need for further investigation into the beneficial aspects of NPs and their trophic transfer in ecosystems.
• This review offers valuable insights for researchers and policymakers to navigate future research directions in this critical field.