Closing the loop: recycling of MAPbI3 perovskite solar cells

Abstract

Closed-loop recycling is crucial in the rapidly expanding era of photovoltaic deployment. Yet, the recycling of commercial silicon photovoltaic modules presents challenges due to laborious component separation. In contrast, layers in solution-processed solar cells can be separated with relative ease through selective dissolution. In this study, we report on the recovery of every layer in a planar MAPbI₃ perovskite solar cell using a layer-by-layer solvent extraction approach, followed by purification or modification to restore quality. This method potentially allows for up to 99.97% recycled mass, thereby conserving resources and reducing waste. We assessed material quality by substituting each fresh material with its recycled equivalent during solar cell production. Subsequently, solar cells were fabricated with either several or all layers comprising recycled materials. Every combination yielded efficiency comparable to cells constructed exclusively with fresh materials, demonstrating the efficacy of the developed recycling process. Our mass and value analysis highlights ITO glass has the highest recycling priority and the need for circular utilization for by-product chemicals, especially cleaning agents. Techno-economic projections suggest that the proposed recycling procedure has the potential to afford substantial cost savings. In the lab, recycling could reduce material costs by up to 63.7%, in industrial manufacturing by up to 61.4%. A life cycle assessment reveals this recycling method can reduce environmental impacts.