Scalable decomposition-catalysis of disposable COVID-19 face mask over self-assembly metal-doping carbocatalysts for tunable value-added products

Abstract

This study explored a scalable decomposition-catalysis route to effectively valorize disposable COVID-19 face mask into tunable value-added products. The metal-doping carbonaceous catalysts (M/Cs) were successfully synthesized through a single-step energy-efficient thermal process. The modest decomposition-catalysis of face mask over Zn/C gave rise to a relatively high yield (73.52%) of liquid oil with 99% of selectivity toward jet fuel range (C8 – C16) hydrocarbons. Besides, the scalable decomposition-catalysis of face mask over Ni(50)/C at 800 ℃ was observed to thoroughly transform face mask into gas with the cumulative gas yield of 967 NmL/gmask, involving 49.90 vol% of H2 and 40.90 vol% of CH4. Moreover, a dense, entangled growth of carbon nanotubes were formed on the surface of M/Cs. In brief, this study developed a scalable and promising route by using M/Cs for the valorization of COVID-19 face mask into hydrocarbon fuel or coupling harvest of H2-enriched fuel gas and carbon nanotubes.