Synthesis of zeolites using recovered glass from solar panels and their application as additives in new panels

• Grant number: 24/22150-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Iago William Zapelini
• Grantee: Giovana Cristina dos Santos Muchati
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia e Ciências (FEC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rosana. Rosana , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The use of photovoltaic solar energy has grown substantially in recent years and is expected to continue expanding over the next decade. With the widespread adoption and consolidation of this technology, large quantities of solar panels responsible for photovoltaic conversion are beginning to be replaced due to performance degradation, malfunctions, or manufacturing defects. This generates an environmental waste stream that, like solar generation technology itself, has been growing significantly in recent years. It is, therefore, necessary to find ways to reuse the various materials from which these panels are made. Approximately 70% of these panels consist of high-quality glass, which can be chemically recycled to produce silicon-based materials with high added value. This proposal aims to chemically recover silicon from decommissioned panels and synthesize zeolites from the recovered material. These zeolites will possess highly hydrophilic properties, enabling their use as an additive layer for cooling new solar panels, thus fostering a circular economy for this material.