Researchers at Linköping University have unveiled a sustainable method for completely recycling perovskite solar cells using water as a non-toxic solvent instead of harmful chemicals. This innovative process allows the recycled cells to maintain their original efficiency, addressing both environmental and technological challenges.
A study published in Nature by the Linköping University team presents a new approach to recycling solar cells that eliminates the use of hazardous solvents. This method enables the complete recycling of all components of perovskite solar cells while preserving their efficiency. Notably, water is the primary solvent employed in this recycling process.
As the demand for electricity rises—driven by advancements in AI, the transition to electrified transportation, and other factors—sustainable energy sources must collaborate to mitigate further climate change.
Solar energy has long been recognized for its potential, with silicon-based solar panels being commercially available for over three decades. However, first-generation silicon panels are nearing the end of their lifecycle, leading to an unexpected waste management issue.
“There is currently no effective technology for managing the waste generated by silicon panels, which is why many old solar panels end up in landfills. We now face large accumulations of electronic waste that are difficult to address,” explains Xun Xiao, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (IFM) at Linköping University.
Feng Gao, a professor of optoelectronics in the same department, emphasizes, “We must consider recycling when developing new solar cell technologies. If we don’t have a plan for recycling them, we should reconsider bringing them to market.”
Perovskite Solar Cells: The Future of Solar Energy?
One of the most promising technologies for next-generation solar cells is based on perovskite. These cells are not only relatively affordable and easy to manufacture but also lightweight, flexible, and transparent. Their unique properties allow perovskite solar cells to be installed on various surfaces, including windows, and they can convert up to 25 percent of solar energy into electricity—comparable to current silicon solar cells.
“There are many companies eager to market perovskite solar cells, but we want to avoid adding to landfill waste. In this project, we’ve developed a method that enables the reuse of all components in a new perovskite solar cell without sacrificing performance,” states Niansheng Xu, a postdoc at Linköping University.
However, since perovskite solar cells currently have a shorter lifespan than silicon cells, it is crucial that their recycling process is both efficient and environmentally friendly. Additionally, perovskite solar cells contain a small amount of lead necessary for high efficiency, which complicates the recycling process.
Legal regulations in many regions also require manufacturers to collect and recycle end-of-life solar cells sustainably.
While methods for dismantling perovskite solar cells exist, they typically involve using dimethylformamide, a toxic and potentially carcinogenic solvent commonly found in paint products. The Linköping researchers have developed a new technology that utilizes water as the solvent for breaking down degraded perovskites, allowing for the recovery of high-quality perovskites from the aqueous solution.
“We can recycle all components—cover glasses, electrodes, perovskite layers, and the charge transport layer,” says Xun Xiao.
The next phase for the researchers is to scale this method for industrial application. In the long term, they envision that perovskite solar cells can play a significant role in energy production once the necessary infrastructure and supply chains are established.
Reference: “Aqueous-based recycling of perovskite photovoltaics” by Xun Xiao, Niansheng Xu, Xueyu Tian, Tiankai Zhang, Bingzheng Wang, Xiaoming Wang, Yeming Xian, Chunyuan Lu, Xiangyu Ou, Yanfa Yan, Licheng Sun, Fengqi You, and Feng Gao, February 12, 2025, Nature.
