Hazardous and emerging contaminants removal from water by plasma-based treatment: A review of recent advances

•Introduction of carboxyl, amino, and hydroxyl by plasma to PS, PES, and TFC membranes.•Enhanced activity of AC, biochar, CNTs, and IO/EG by plasma for hazardous pollutants removal.•Plasma-functionalized membranes exhibited improved flux, nanoporous structures and reduced fouling.•Plasma-assisted synthesis method ensured bulk production of small, uniform particle-size catalysts.•CEC removal, disinfection and desalination are recent applications but integrated systems offer more performance.