| Full text | |
| Author(s): Show less - |
Prado, Pedro F. A.
;
Tenorio, Jorge A. S.
;
Espinosa, Denise C. R.
;
Sun, Z
;
Wang, C
;
Guillen, DP
;
Neelameggham, NR
;
Zhang, L
;
Howarter, JA
;
Wang, T
;
Olivetti, E
;
Zhang, M
;
Verhulst, D
;
Guan, X
;
Anderson, A
;
Ikhmayies, S
;
Smith, YR
;
Pandey, A
;
Pisupati, S
;
Lu, H
Total Authors: 20
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | ENERGY TECHNOLOGY 2018: CARBON DIOXIDE MANAGEMENT AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES; v. N/A, p. 6-pg., 2018-01-01. |
| Abstract | |
There is an increasing challenge of waste management regarding the growth of photovoltaic (PV) technology. Often overlooked by its environmental benefits of greenhouse gas emission reduction, PV technology contain metals that are highly hazardous for the environment. Amorphous silicon (a-Si) PV modules employ indium-tin-oxide as transparent conductive oxide and given the high price of indium its recovery could be advantageous from an economic perspective as well. Leaching of indium was predicted by comparing the Pourbaix diagram with the values of oxidoreduction potential and pH measured on a phosphoric acid solution. The a-Si panel was subjected to thermal treatment to remove the proprietary, protective coating and allow leaching to occur. Then, indium could be leached by phosphoric acid in a jacketed reactor, reaching a concentration of 55 ppm (67% leaching rate) with a 0.2 g/mL of a-Si panel to aqueous solution ratio. The leaching of indium with phosphoric acid is novel and could open doors for many other recycling routes for solar panels. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 12/51871-9 - Study Center for Technology in Waste Solid Treatment and Recycling - SCTWSTR |
| Grantee: | Jorge Alberto Soares Tenório |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |