Emerging electrochemical techniques for identifying and removing micro/nanoplastics in urban waters

The ubiquitous micro/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) in urban waters are priority pollutants due to their toxic effects on living organisms. Currently, great efforts have been made to realize a plastic-free urban water system, and the identification and removal of MPs/NPs are two primary issues. Among diverse methods, emerging electrochemical techniques have gained growing interests owing to their facile implementation, high efficiency, eco-compatibility, onsite operation, etc. Herein, recent progress in the electrochemical identification and removal of MPs/NPs in urban waters are comprehensively reviewed. The electrochemical sensing of MPs/NPs and their released pollutants (e.g., bisphenol A (BPA)) has been analyzed, and the sensing principles and the featured electrochemical devices/electrodes are examined. Afterwards, recent applications of electrochemical methods (i.e., electrocoagulation, electroadsorption, electrokinetic separation and electrochemical degradation) in MPs/NPs removal are discussed in detail. The influences of critical parameters (e.g., plastics' property, current density and electrolyte) in the electrochemical identification and removal of MPs/NPs are also analyzed. Finally, the current challenges and prospects in electrochemical sensing and removal of MPs/NPs in urban waters are elaborated. This review would advance efficient electrochemical technologies for future MPs/NPs pollutions management in urban waters.