Multifunctional Carbon Fibers from Chemical Upcycling of Mask Waste.

ABSTRACT: Over the past years, disposable masks have been produced in unprecedented amounts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their increased use imposes significant strain on current waste management practices including landfilling and incineration. This results in large volumes of discarded masks entering the environment as pollutants, and alternative methods of waste management are required to mitigate the negative effects of mask pollution. While current recycling methods can supplement conventional waste management, the necessary processes result in a product with downgraded material properties and a loss of value. This work introduces a simple method to upcycle mask waste into multifunctional carbon fibers through simple steps of thermal stabilization and pyrolysis. The pre-existed fibrous structu

SUBMITTER: Robertson M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9016816 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature