Abstract: Spray pyrolysis, as a new pyrolysis technology for one-step, continuous, highly expandable, and large-scale preparation of environmental functional nanomaterials, has received the attention of researchers. The working principles, product characteristics, environmental applications and industrial challenges of spray pyrolysis technology were introduced in detail, and the hot spots of spray pyrolysis technology in the field of environmental pollution control were visually analyzed. The results show that spray pyrolysis is a technology for producing nanoparticles by decomposing precursor solutions at high temperature and its equipment mainly consists of atomizer, heating equipment and collection device. The product property of spray pyrolysis is influenced by precursor solution and pyrolysis parameters. By controlling precursor solution composition and pyrolysis process parameters, nanomaterials with desirable size and morphology can be obtained. Owing to the specific physicochemical properties, these environmental functional nanomaterials (e.g., powders or thin films) prepared by spray pyrolysis technology are highly effective for the removal of pollutants from both atmosphere and wastewater. Simultaneous, based on the research focus, the pyrolysis method, product characteristics, application fields and the main mechanism of pollutant removal of spray pyrolysis technology were analyzed. However, there are still many challenges in expanding the spray pyrolysis technology from laboratory scale to industrial application. The research can provide theoretical and technical support for the application of spray pyrolysis technology in the field of environmental pollution control.