Upcycling Discarded Photovoltaic Backsheets to Polyvinylidene Fluoride Protective Layer for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

The rapid development of the solar energy industry and its related sectors has resulted in the annual generation of a substantial amount of discarded photovoltaic backsheets. Among these, fluorine-containing backsheets are particularly problematic due to their resistance to conventional recycling methods and their potential to cause environmental pollution. Therefore, the development of efficient strategies for recycling and reutilizing such materials has become a critical research priority. In our work, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) recovered from discarded photovoltaic backsheets is used to coat the surface of CuO nanoparticles through a simple process. The synthesized CuO@PVDF nanocomposite anode material demonstrates remarkable electrochemical characteristics, exhibiting a substantial reversible capacity of 1180.6 mAh g−1 at 0.125 A g−1 current density. Notably, this architecture manifests superior capacity retention characteristics, maintaining 88.9% of its original capacity after extended cycling at a current density of 1.25 A g−1. This work conforms to the core tenets of sustainable development and green chemistry, successfully establishing an equilibrium between ecological conservation, societal welfare, and economic feasibility through systematic optimization of material architecture. Additionally, it provides a novel approach to the recycling of waste materials, offering valuable insights for advancing circular economy practices and resource efficiency.