| Title |
Catalytic recovery of metals from end-of-life polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells: Experimental insights into silver recovery |
| ID_Doc |
10550 |
| Authors |
Yashas, SR; Ruck, EB; Demissie, H; Manor-Korin, N; Gendel, Y |
| Title |
Catalytic recovery of metals from end-of-life polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells: Experimental insights into silver recovery |
| Year |
2023 |
| Published |
|
| DOI |
10.1016/j.wasman.2023.08.038 |
| Abstract |
A steady increase in end-of-life (EoL) polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic (c-Si PV) panels is necessitating the development of recycling technologies to guarantee sustainable environmental management and a circular economy. Herein, we propose a comprehensive EoL c-Si PV recycling strategy with an emphasis on selective silver (Ag) recovery. Primarily, a combination of physical and thermal treatment led to the isolation of PV cell fraction from the EoL PV module. Thereafter, a less-toxic, sulphuric acid-hydrogen peroxide (1 M H2SO4- H2O2 1% (v/v %)) lixiviant was used for Ag leaching at 70 C. A novel catalytic process using platinum-embedded activated carbon (Pt/AC) was used with only hydrogen gas and air to recover selectively and concentrate the Ag+ from the synthetic PV cells leachate. Finally, pure metallic silver (Ag > 99.0 %) was obtained by the conventional electrowinning process. This study also proposes an explicit recovery process for Al, Cu, and Si. In addition, the Pt/AC catalytic process could efficiently recover Cu from the PV cells, similar to Ag. Following the complete recovery of Ag and Cu through Pt/AC, there is sufficient scope to isolate other metals like Al and Pb leaving behind crude Si wafers. Hence, the as-proposed recycling and metal recovery process is a newer approach benefiting industrial implementation. |
| Author Keywords |
End-of-life PV; Metal recovery; Hydrometallurgy; Pyrolysis; Electrocatalysis; E-waste; Recycling; Acid leaching |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) |
| EID |
WOS:001074082100001 |
| WoS Category |
Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences |
| Research Area |
Engineering; Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
| PDF |
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