Microplastic Removal from Water Using Biomass-Based Carbon: A Review of Recent Advances

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as priority contaminants in aquatic environments in recent years. Growing public concern surrounds their environmental and health impacts, as well as their contribution to future global environmental challenges. As emerging contaminants, key challenges lie in developing efficient methods for their detection, quantification, and removal from aqueous media. Numerous techniques for MP remediation from water have been reported in the literature. Among these, biomass-derived carbon presents several advantages, including low cost, abundance of raw materials, efficient removal capabilities, and sustainability. This review critically evaluates the potential of biomass-derived carbon for the removal of MPs from water. It provides a concise overview of MP sources and their environmental pathways. Additionally, it summarizes the synthesis methods and characteristics of biomass-derived carbon. The review elaborates on the removal performance and underlying mechanisms of MPs by these materials. Key challenges and future research recommendations are also discussed. This review provides valuable insights for researchers, summarizing the current research landscape and outlining strategies for advancing MP remediation using biomass-derived carbon.