Fortunately, researchers from the National University of Science and Technology “MISIS” have found an easy and sustainable second life for disposable face masks. After using ultrasound to disinfect used masks, the team dipped them into an ink made from graphene and compressed and heated them to 284 degrees F. This turns them into conductive pellets, which were then separated by an insulating layer made from more old masks. Once soaked in an electrolyte and coated in a protective shell made from used drug blister packs, the masks have officially been converted into a battery.
Do disposable face masks make good batteries?
Answer: Yes!
Shutterstock/Tetiana Shumbasova
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has a new disposable waste problem: face masks. In just the first few months of the pandemic, an estimated 129 billion disposable face masks were used each month. And we all know that no matter where they ended up once they were used, it wasn’t good for the environment — landfills, oceans, etc.
Fortunately, researchers from the National University of Science and Technology “MISIS” have found an easy and sustainable second life for disposable face masks. After using ultrasound to disinfect used masks, the team dipped them into an ink made from graphene and compressed and heated them to 284 degrees F. This turns them into conductive pellets, which were then separated by an insulating layer made from more old masks. Once soaked in an electrolyte and coated in a protective shell made from used drug blister packs, the masks have officially been converted into a battery.
The team found that the battery’s performance was comparable to the lithium-ion batteries found in just about everything today, with an energy density of 99.7 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) compared to the 100-265 Wh/kg of lithium-ion. But when nanoparticles of a calcium-cobalt oxide perovskite were added to the electrodes of the mask batteries, that number increased to 208 Wh/kg. Since they’re made from so many recycled materials, the batteries are low cost to produce and can be made thin and flexible.
Fortunately, researchers from the National University of Science and Technology “MISIS” have found an easy and sustainable second life for disposable face masks. After using ultrasound to disinfect used masks, the team dipped them into an ink made from graphene and compressed and heated them to 284 degrees F. This turns them into conductive pellets, which were then separated by an insulating layer made from more old masks. Once soaked in an electrolyte and coated in a protective shell made from used drug blister packs, the masks have officially been converted into a battery.
