Welcome back to the solar blog, where we strive to share valuable knowledge about the ever-evolving solar industry. For those of you interested in solar panels for your home or setting up a solar array for home use, today’s post contains important information. We will take a look at a recently developed method aimed to increase silver recovery from end-of-life solar cells.
Retrieving raw materials from worn-out solar cells is a significant topic within sustainable practices of solar companies. Due to the tightly packed and embedded nature of the silver and copper in photovoltaic (PV) cells, extraction is often challenging. However, researchers from Italy’s University of Camerino have come up with a novel process that promises to resolve this issue.
When manufacturing solar cells, silver is used due to its superior conductivity. Upon reaching their end-of-life phase, it’s crucial for solar companies to find efficient and environmentally friendly ways to recover this valuable metal. The new method discussed today combines hydrometallurgical and electrochemical processes, also known as leaching and electrodeposition-redox replacement (EDRR) respectively.
Leaching refers to using aqueous solutions to extract metals, with the proposed technique utilizing a base-activated persulfate and ammonia mix. The researchers discovered this specific combination generates a protective layer of copper (II) oxide that prevents the copper itself from leaching away while allowing the silver particles to be extracted.
The innovative part of the recovery process is the EDRR stage. This technique, which involves an electric current to drive reactions, is believed to dramatically boost the efficiency of pure silver recovery. This is especially noteworthy when considering that the recovery of raw materials not only reduces the environmental impact but also requires less energy than extracting metals from ore, leading to lower carbon emissions.
The researchers ran numerous tests, adjusting parameters such as the concentration of the ammonia solution and the reaction time, to determine the optimal conditions. Once the best conditions were identified, the scientists found that this new method achieved an astonishing recovery rate of 98.7% pure silver. This result proved the process’s selectivity, efficiency and non-reliance on additional chemicals, making it a highly competitive option compared to conventional recovery methods.
Considering factors like climate change and resource scarcity, new developments in enhancing solar panel recycling processes are a boon for the industry. Therefore, whether you are a potential consumer evaluating solar companies or a homeowner researching solar panels for your home, it’s important to consider the lifecycle of the equipment and how environmentally responsible the company’s practices are.
More efficient and environmentally conscious means of resource recovery not only benefit the solar company and their bottom line but also drive the industry towards a more sustainable future. This makes investing in solar arrays for home, not only a financially sound decision but also a conscious step towards a greener planet.
Stay tuned for more updates about the exciting developments within the solar industry, as we continue on this journey towards a sustainable future. Your place to learn about everything solar-related is right here.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/08/27/new-process-to-recover-silver-from-end-of-life-solar-cells-achieves-98-efficiency/
