IISc has developed a sustainable hydrogel that effectively tackles microplastic pollution in water bodies, employing a polymer network enhanced with nanoclusters and UV light degradation.
About the hydrogel:
- The hydrogel comprises a three-layer polymer structure made of chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyaniline, and is enhanced with nanoclusters of copper substitute polyoxometalate (Cu-POM), which act as catalysts under UV light.
About the Microplastics:
- Microplastics, which are typically less than 5 millimetres in size, include primary microplastics like those in cosmetics and fishing nets, and secondary microplastics from larger plastics broken down by environmental factors such as sunlight and ocean waves.
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