Investigation of carbon nanomaterials via metal-oxide catalytic pyrolysis of waste mask

Owing to the continuous demand for masks caused by the continued COVID-19, several waste masks made of recalcitrant plastics have accumulated in nature, causing environmental and societal problem in the waste management process for smart cities. To deal with this present issue, metal-oxide catalytic pyrolysis process was conducted. The catalyst was prepared using nickel and iron through the impregnation method in which metal oxide (alumina (Al2O3) and zeolite (ZSM-5)) were selected as a support. Carbon nanomaterials were observed on the nickel-doped metal oxide catalyst surface, and a growth mechanism of carbon nanomaterial on the surface of iron-nickel doped zeolite was identified by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). These findings are expected to contribute to the development of sustainable plastic recycling technology aimed at creating value-added products in connection with the government's waste upcycling project.