Recent advances in the removal of neonicotinoid insecticides: classical approaches and nanomaterial applications

Neonicotinoids are among the primary insecticides used globally, distinguished by their high efficiency against insects and low toxicity to mammals. They exhibit significant solubility and persistence in soils, making them ideal as systemic insecticides. Despite these advantages, their properties may pose risks of aquatic contamination. In recent years, the environmental impact of neonicotinoids, including pollinator populations' decline and waterways' contamination, has been assessed. Various studies have provided evidence of the risks these compounds present at the environmental level, prompting actions that have generated new research areas focused on reducing the concentration of these insecticides in the environment. Several methodologies have been proposed to remove neonicotinoids from water samples, including nanomaterials, which have shown promising results and efficiency in adsorbing pollutants of this type. This review presents information on some methods for removing neonicotinoids. Firstly, it will provide an overview of neonicotinoid insecticides, highlighting their importance in the pesticide industry. Secondly, it will discuss proposed methodologies for the removal of these insecticides. Finally, it will emphasize recent developments in emerging materials designed for this purpose, based on experimental and theoretical approaches.