标题: Direct Recycling of Silver and Silicon from Solar Cells through Selective Alkaline Etching
作者: Wang, HC (Wang, Haochen); Wang, SY (Wang, Shiyu); Gao, SB (Gao, Shuaibo); Pang, FZ (Pang, Fangzhao); Wang, HY (Wang, Hongya); Chen, X (Chen, Xiang); Dai, S (Dai, Shun); Xu, SM (Xu, Simin); Wu, YX (Wu, Yongxin); Wang, DH (Wang, Dihua); Yin, HY (Yin, Huayi)
来源出版物: ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 卷: 13 期: 41 页: 17197-17207 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c05190 Early Access Date: OCT 2025 Published Date: 2025 OCT 20
摘要: Recycling retired silicon solar cells is indispensable to sustain the ever-increasing deployment of photovoltaic (PV) panels. However, the recycling of silver (Ag) and silicon (Si) remains a challenge because the use of toxic acids (e.g., HF, HNO3) results in serious environmental burdens. Herein, we report a selective alkaline etching approach for the separation of Ag from Si solar cells, achieving complete separation in 5 min. The separation of Ag and Si is realized by the selective etching of SiO2 and Si at the Ag/Si interface in the NaOH solution, where Ag is insoluble and collected as Ag wires. The recovery rates of Ag and Si reach 99% and 95%, respectively. Unlike traditional methods, Ag is directly recovered without the complex dissolution-electrolysis process. Si is recovered rather than fully or partially dissolved in the hydro-metallurgical process or converted into slags in the pyro-metallurgical process. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) results show that this approach has environmental and economic benefits. Overall, the selective alkaline etching approach is a green and low-cost recovery method to recycle Ag and Si, which will close the materials circle for the PV industry.
作者关键词: solar cells; silicon; silver; recycling; life cycleassessment
KeyWords Plus: METALS
地址: [Wang, Haochen; Wang, Shiyu; Gao, Shuaibo; Pang, Fangzhao; Wang, Hongya; Chen, Xiang; Dai, Shun; Xu, Simin; Wu, Yongxin; Wang, Dihua; Yin, Huayi] Wuhan Univ, Sch Resource & Environm Sci, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, Peoples R China.
[Wang, Haochen; Wang, Shiyu; Gao, Shuaibo; Pang, Fangzhao; Wang, Hongya; Chen, Xiang; Dai, Shun; Xu, Simin; Wu, Yongxin; Wang, Dihua; Yin, Huayi] Wuhan Univ, Hubei Int Sci & Technol Cooperat Base Sustainable, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, Peoples R China.
通讯作者地址: Yin, HY (通讯作者)，Wuhan Univ, Sch Resource & Environm Sci, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, Peoples R China.
Yin, HY (通讯作者)，Wuhan Univ, Hubei Int Sci & Technol Cooperat Base Sustainable, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, Peoples R China.
电子邮件地址: [email protected]
影响因子：7.3
