Breakthroughs in electrochemical technologies in treating environmental pollutants: Addressing micro/nano plastics

As environmental pollution continues to escalate, microplastics and nanoplastics have emerged as one of the most challenging contaminants to address due to their persistence and widespread distribution. This chapter delves into recent breakthroughs in electrochemical technologies specifically designed to combat these persistent pollutants. Electrochemical methods offer a promising alternative to traditional waste treatment techniques, providing high efficiency, scalability, and minimal environmental impact. The chapter focuses on advanced approaches such as electrochemical oxidation (EO), and electrocoagulation (EC), examining their underlying principles, materials, and electrode designs. It also discusses the challenges associated with transitioning from laboratory research to commercial implementation, and outline future directions, while aligning with broader sustainability goals to support a cleaner and more resilient future.