Researchers at Leibniz University Hannover have developed a novel hydrogel that autonomously absorbs and degrades microplastics in bodies of water. Microplastics, which pollute oceans, lakes, and rivers, cause inflammation and oxidative stress in organisms. Conventional removal filter systems are costly and energy-intensive. The new material, a thermoresponsive hydrogel with porous organosilicate particles and a photocatalyst, works independently. It [...]
Intelligent hydrogel can clean bodies of water of microplastics
