Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have designed a sustainable hydrogel to remove microplastics from water.
The sustainable hydrogel designed by the researchers has a unique intertwined polymer network that can bind the contaminants and degrade them using UV light irradiation.
The hydrogel was found to be highly efficient – it could remove about 95% and 93% of two different types of microplastics in water at near-neutral pH (∼6.5).
Scientists have previously tried using filtering the membranes to remove the microplastics.
However, the membranes can become clogged with these tiny particles, rendering them unsustainable.
Microplastics pose a great threat to human health as these tiny plastic debris can enter our bodies through the water we drink and increase the risk of illnesses.