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Microplastic contamination poses significant threats to both human health and the environment, necessitating innovative solutions. Addressing this challenge, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a groundbreaking hydrogel capable of efficiently removing microplastics from water. Unlike conventional filtering membranes prone to clogging, this 3D pGel@IPN hydrogel employs an Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN) architecture comprising chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyaniline layers. Infusion with nanoclusters of a copper substitute polyoxometalate (Cu-POM) enhances its functionality, serving as catalysts for UV-induced degradation of microplastics. The hydrogel’s sustainability and durability are notable, with the ability to maintain efficacy over multiple cycles of microplastic removal. Moreover, its versatility extends to repurposing spent hydrogel into carbon nanomaterials for removing heavy metals from polluted water. The addition of a fluorescent dye enables precise tracking of microplastic adsorption and degradation under various environmental conditions. Results demonstrate the hydrogel’s high efficiency, removing up to 95% of microplastics in near-neutral pH conditions. With plans for large-scale deployment, this research paves the way for impactful solutions in combating microplastic pollution in diverse water sources.
Reference:
- Dutta, S., Misra, A., & Bose, S. (2024). Polyoxometalate nanocluster-infused triple IPN hydrogels for excellent microplastic removal from contaminated water: detection, photodegradation, and upcycling. Nanoscale.
