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Plasma degradation of contaminated PPE: an energy-efficient method to treat contaminated plastic waste

Engineering and Technology

Plasma degradation of contaminated PPE: an energy-efficient method to treat contaminated plastic waste

M. M. Tobías, M. Åhlén, et al.

This groundbreaking study by Mariano Marco Tobías and colleagues reveals a low-power plasma method that achieves 63% mass loss in disposable polypropylene surgical face masks after just 4 hours, offering a sustainable solution to the environmental crisis caused by PPE waste.

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Playback language: English
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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