Waste Face Surgical Mask Transformation into Crude Oil and Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers. Issue 2 (9th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muhyuddin, Mohsin; Filippi, Jonathan; Zoia, Luca; Bonizzoni, Simone; Lorenzi, Roberto; Berretti, Enrico; Capozzoli, Laura; Bellini, Marco; Ferrara, Chiara; Lavacchi, Alessandro; Santoro, Carlo
• Is Part Of: ChemSusChem. Volume 15:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-12-09
• Subjects: crude oil -- hydrogen evolution reaction -- oxygen reduction reaction -- surgical mask -- valorization; Green chemistry -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202102351
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-5631

Abstract

Abstract: A novel route for the valorization of waste into valuable products was developed. Surgical masks commonly used for COVID 19 protection by stopping aerosol and droplets have been widely used, and their disposal is critical and often not properly pursued. This work intended to transform surgical masks into platinum group metal‐free electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as well as into crude oil. Surgical masks were subjected to controlled‐temperature and ‐atmosphere pyrolysis, and the produced char was then converted into electrocatalysts by functionalizing it with metal phthalocyanine of interest. The electrocatalytic performance characterization towards ORR and HER was carried out highlighting promising activity. At different temperatures, condensable oil fractions were acquired and thoroughly analyzed. Transformation of waste surgical masks into electrocatalysts and crude oil can open new routes for the conversion of waste into valuable products within the core of the circular economy. Abstract : Mask recycling : Surgical masks are subjected to pyrolysis processes at controlled temperature and atmosphere in order to transform them into valuable products. Crude oil is formed during pyrolysis and analyzed. The char produced from the process is functionalized with metal‐phthalocyanine and then tested as the electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction in neutral and alkaline media.