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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in the use of disposable surgical face masks made from non-biodegradable polypropylene (PP), creating a significant waste problem. This study investigated a low-power plasma method for degrading these masks. Several analytical techniques showed a 63 ± 8% mass loss after 4 hours of irradiation, 20 times faster than degrading bulk PP. Air plasma offers an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly approach to treating contaminated PPE.
Publisher
npj Materials Degradation
Published On
Apr 19, 2023
Authors
Mariano Marco Tobías, Michelle Åhlén, Ocean Cheung, David G. Bucknall, Martin R. S. McCoustra, Humphrey H. P. Yiu
Tags
COVID-19
disposable masks
polypropylene
plasma degradation
waste management
environmentally friendly
PPE

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