Russian researchers have created a polymer using porous organic materials. It will allow to detect even low concentrations of mercury and antibiotics in water and other liquids, the Russian Science Foundation (RSF) press service reported.
The new material will speed up the safety control of food, water bodies and soils.
The proposed methods for detecting two hazardous substances - mercury compounds and the antibiotic sulfadiazine - are simple, but highly sensitive, which will allow them to be used to monitor the safety of environmental objects and food.
The new polymer is a luminescent material consisting of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). They are used as a basis for gas detectors and filters, as well as as "packaging" for hazardous substances.
MOF is capable of absorbing ultraviolet light and transforming it into bright green light. The material contains ions of the rare earth metal terbium and complex organic molecules. The emission power of MOF allows it to be used as a highly sensitive detector of various chemicals.
Studies have shown that the polymer is able to capture even a small concentration (0.12-0.18 micrograms per liter) of antibiotic and mercury in food and water. It is planned to be used as a base for sensors that assess the safety of water and products.
Earlier www1.ru reported that in Mordovia created a super-strong polymer from multilayer packaging waste.
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