“Molecular Cage” Could Help Remove Drugs and Chemical Pollutants From Water
Researchers have crafted a new water-soluble material called a metal-organic cage (MOC) that can trap pollutants like leftover medicines and synthetic chemicals in our waterways. These MOCs act like tiny cages, capturing harmful substances that wastewater treatment plants often miss. By incorporating sulfonates, the team enhanced the MOCs’ water solubility, making them effective in binding pollutants such as ethinylestradiol from contraceptives and tonalide from fragrances. This innovation could lead to better methods for cleaning our water and protecting aquatic life.