Researchers from Linköping University, Cornell University, Westlake University and the University of Toledo have reported a low-cost, green-solvent-based holistic recycling method to restore all valuable components from perovskite solar cells (PSCs) waste.
Scheme of recycling process with a water-based solution. Three main additives (NaOAc, NaI and H3PO2) are added to address perovskite solubility, phase purity and solution stability issues in water solution. Image credit: Nature
The scalable, aqueous-based method to recycle perovskite solar cells could offer an environmentally friendly solution that minimizes end-of-life waste while maintaining performance. This addresses various sustainability concerns – such as toxicity, limited recycling options, and resource depletion – that pose significant challenges to the widespread adoption of PSCs.
Unlike conventional recycling methods that rely on toxic solvents or energy-intensive processes, the green-solvent-based recycling strategy developed in the study selectively dissolves degraded perovskites. The recovered materials, including high-quality perovskite crystals, can be reintegrated into new perovskite solar cells without significant efficiency loss.
The research incorporates a comprehensive sustainability analysis, showing that the new recycling method reduces resource depletion by 96.6% and human toxicity impact by 68.8% compared to landfilling option. Additionally, the levelized cost of electricity – a key metric for economic feasibility – decreases by 18.8% for utility-scale systems and 20.9% for residential systems, demonstrating that the process is both environmentally and economically viable.
As part of broader efforts to ensure the sustainability of perovskite solar technology, a perspective published in the January 2025 issue of Energy & Environmental Science as the front cover article was led by Cornell University's Xueyu Tian and Fengqi You. This perspective, co-authored with a group of leading experts in perovskite solar energy materials, examines the long-term challenges and opportunities for sustainability analysis of scalable perovskite photovoltaics.
Beyond developing new recycling technologies, You, who is also the director of the Cornell AI for Sustainability Initiative (CAISI), emphasizes the importance of integrating sustainability frameworks into the perovskite solar industry. By combining technological advancements with holistic sustainability analytics, these efforts aim to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and industrial applications.
