Daily News Analysis » April 2024 » Hydrogel by IISc- to remove microplastics: 16 April 2024

Hydrogel by IISc- to remove microplastics: 16 April 2024

Why in news?

A  hydrogel has been developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) with a specific goal of combating the problem of microplastics in water.

 

What is Hydrogel?

  • A hydrogel is composed of a minimum of 10% fluid, primarily water, and porous, permeable solids.
  • Hydrogels can retain a large quantity of water within their network without disturbing their original structure.

Hydrogel by IISc

  • It is  composed of chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyaniline.
  • It is infused with copper polyoxometalate (Cu-POM) nanoclusters, which destroy microplastics when exposed to UV light.
  • This hydrogel efficiently removes about 95% and 93% of microplastics in water.
  • It can eliminate microplastics for up to five cycles.
  • It can also be converted into carbon nanomaterials that are capable of extracting heavy metals, such as hexavalent chromium, from contaminated water.

About Microplastics:

  • Tiny plastic particles, often measuring between one millimeter and one mm. 
  • Harmful for biodiversity and human health.
  • They are slow to degrade.