Is it Possible to Mechanical Recycle the Materials of the Disposable Filtering Masks?

Polymers
Daniele BattegazzoreAlberto Frache

Abstract

In a singular period, such as during a pandemic, the use of personal protective masks can become mandatory for all citizens in many places worldwide. The most used device is the disposable mask that, inevitably, generates a substantial waste flow to send to incineration or landfill. The article examines the most diffused type of disposable face mask and identifies the characteristic of the constituent materials through morphological, chemical, physical, and thermal analyses. Based on these investigations, a mechanical recycling protocol with different approaches is proposed. Advantages and disadvantages of the different recycling solutions are discussed with considerations on necessary separation processes and other treatments. The four solutions investigated lead to a recycling index from 78 to 91% of the starting disposable mask weight. The rheological, mechanical, and thermo-mechanical properties of the final materials obtained from the different recycling approaches are compared with each other and with solutions present on the market resulting in materials potentially industrially exploitable.

References

Aug 22, 2017·Waste Management·Kim RagaertKevin Van Geem
Jun 11, 2020·Waste Management & Research : the Journal of the International Solid Wastes and Public Cleansing Association, ISWA·Seung-Whee Rhee
Jul 1, 2020·Environmental Science & Technology·Narendra SinghOladele A Ogunseitan
Aug 4, 2020·The Journal of Hospital Infection·M P CzubrytG N Pierce
Aug 25, 2020·Research : a Science Partner Journal·Ming Hui ChuaXian Jun Loh
Aug 25, 2020·Polymer Degradation and Stability·Mathew C CelinaTim R Dargaville
Oct 13, 2020·Matter·Xuan XueMorgan R Alexander

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Citations

Jul 27, 2021·Environmental Technology & Innovation·Nilofar AsimKamaruzzaman Sopian
Aug 8, 2021·Materials·Morshed KhandakerNabila Shamim

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
Scanning
X-ray
Differential Scanning Calorimetry
rheology

Software Mentioned

Statista

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