Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42346946›Full record

ReviewMembranes2026

Membrane Technologies for Microplastics Removal from Wastewater: Recent Progress, Fouling Mechanisms, and Future Perspectives.

Soon Onn Lai, Mohammed J K Bashir, Choon Aun Ng, Kok Chung Chong, Heng Keong Kam, Riza P Gumaling, Lin-Chi Wang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Membranes, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Soon Onn LaiLee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long Campus, Jalan Sungai Long, Cheras, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia.
Mohammed J K BashirSchool of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, 120 Spencer St., Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
Choon Aun NgFaculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, Kampar 31900, Perak, Malaysia.
Kok Chung ChongLee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long Campus, Jalan Sungai Long, Cheras, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia.ORCID 0000-0002-4916-2030
Heng Keong KamLee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long Campus, Jalan Sungai Long, Cheras, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia.
Riza P GumalingEnvironmental Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Western Mindanao State University, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City 7000, Zamboanga Del Sur, Philippines.
Lin-Chi WangDepartment of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 811213, Taiwan.ORCID 0000-0002-5126-1046

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Microplastics have recently emerged as a widespread contaminant in wastewater, posing severe risks to the environment and human health due to their potential bioaccumulation and toxicity. Conventional wastewater treatment processes are generally inadequate for the complete removal of microplastics due to their modest scale. Interest has been garnered from academia and industry regarding their separation from wastewater. This review covers recent advances in the application of membrane processes for the removal of microplastics from wastewater. The principles of membrane separation, removal efficiency, and operational challenges are critically evaluated, along with the potential of the hybrid membrane systems. In the next section, the fouling mechanism induced by microplastics and their interaction with foulants, as well as cleaning and anti-fouling strategies, are discussed. Finally, future perspectives focus on the current unresolved research gaps, including the integration of digital monitoring and artificial intelligence-assisted optimization of membrane technology for microplastic removal. By consolidating current knowledge and identifying pathways for innovation, this review underscores the pivotal role of membranes in mitigating plastic pollution and advancing sustainable wastewater management.

Indexed as

artificial intelligence (AI) optimizationmembrane fouling mechanismsmicroplasticssmart and functionalized membraneswastewater reclamation

Identifiers

PMID42346946
PMCPMC13304334

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.