Recycling lead and transparent conductors from perovskite solar modules

Bo Chen, Chengbin Fei, Shangshang Chen, Hangyu Gu, Xun Xiao and Jinsong Huang ()
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Bo Chen: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chengbin Fei: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Shangshang Chen: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hangyu Gu: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Xun Xiao: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jinsong Huang: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Perovskite photovoltaics are gaining increasing common ground to partner with or compete with silicon photovoltaics to reduce cost of solar energy. However, a cost-effective waste management for toxic lead (Pb), which might determine the fate of this technology, has not been developed yet. Here, we report an end-of-life material management for perovskite solar modules to recycle toxic lead and valuable transparent conductors to protect the environment and create dramatic economic benefits from recycled materials. Lead is separated from decommissioned modules by weakly acidic cation exchange resin, which could be released as soluble Pb(NO3)2 followed by precipitation as PbI2 for reuse, with a recycling efficiency of 99.2%. Thermal delamination disassembles the encapsulated modules with intact transparent conductors and cover glasses. The refabricated devices based on recycled lead iodide and recycled transparent conductors show comparable performance as devices based on fresh raw materials. Cost analysis shows this recycling technology is economically attractive.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26121-1

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