New Polymer Cleans Up Water and Fish, One Endocrine Disruptor at a Time

Having a super-efficient sponge that can soak up tiny, harmful chemicals from water and even fish. That's basically what scientists have created with a new polymer. This polymer, made from a substance called 4-pyridinemethanol, is like a tiny, porous magnet for troublesome chemicals. These chemicals, called endocrine disruptors (EDs), are harmful at tiny levels. The new polymer can grab onto these chemicals and hold them tight, with incredible efficiency. Tests show it can absorb up to 183. 9 milligrams of EDs per gram of polymer. How does it work? Think of it like a clever dance. The polymer uses hydrogen bonding, a special type of electrical attraction, and even something called π-π* interaction to latch onto these chemicals. Scientists then used this polymer as part of a system to detect trace amounts of these chemicals in water and tilapia fish. The detection limits were incredibly low, from 0. 01 to 0. 04 nanograms per milliliter in water and 1. 00 to 3. 80 nanograms per gram in fish. This polymer not only helps clean up the environment but also opens up new ways to make other useful polymers. It's a big step forward in keeping our water and food safe.