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Analysis of the Degradation Products of the Organic Materials Present in the c-Si PV Modules, Emitted during a Pyrolysis Treatment and Recycling Strategy for Circular and Sustainable Development

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  • Krishan Kumar Patel

    (Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
    Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR)- Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI))

  • Sudhanshu Mallick

    (Indian Institute of Technology Bombay)

Abstract

The spent photovoltaic (PV) module predicts that by 2050, there would be 78 million tons of trash worldwide. In order to facilitate the net-zero energy transition, the PV industry is expanding quickly. Establishing an effective recycling process for spent panels is crucial to reducing their environmental impact. Therefore, the work reported herein, the analysis of the degradation products of the organic materials present in the PV modules, encapsulant, and backsheet, emitted during a pyrolysis treatment. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) coupled with mass spectroscopy (MS), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used extensively for the emitted gas analysis. PV modules encapsulated with Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)– with and without backsheet and sole PVDF backsheet, were tested. Samples was pyrolyzed at three temperatures, i.e., from room temperature to 450 °C, 500 °C, and 550 °C in a nitrogen (N2) environment. The resultant gas emitted was collected in a gas cell for FTIR analysis. Gases evolved in EVA pyrolysis; Acetic acid, CO and CO2 in the first step decomposition, and complex hydrocarbon mixture (cracking of polymer chains) including alkenes, alkanes and aromatic compounds in the second step degradation. Whereas CF2, F2, CH2, C2H2, and C2H6, are gases exclusively observed in PVDF pyrolysis. These gases are generated from the de-acetylation, β-scission, and hydrolytic depolymerization processes. After pyrolysis, residues of cells were processed for stepwise recycling (through the hydrometallurgical route) to facilitate a circular economy and sustainable development to PV industries. Graphical Abstract

Suggested Citation

  • Krishan Kumar Patel & Sudhanshu Mallick, 2025. "Analysis of the Degradation Products of the Organic Materials Present in the c-Si PV Modules, Emitted during a Pyrolysis Treatment and Recycling Strategy for Circular and Sustainable Development," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 1949-1962, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:5:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s43615-025-00512-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-025-00512-8
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    1. Shuaibo Gao & Xiang Chen & Jiakang Qu & Yanyang Guo & Hao Shi & Fangzhao Pang & Lei Guo & Xin Qu & Dihua Wang & Huayi Yin, 2024. "Recycling of silicon solar panels through a salt-etching approach," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(7), pages 920-930, July.
    2. Krishan Kumar Patel & Sudhanshu Mallick, 2024. "Pyrolysis Gas Analysis of Ethylene-vinyl Acetate (EVA) and Poly-vinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Polymers Encapsulated in c-Si Photovoltaic Solar Module to Facilitate Recycling," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(3), pages 1835-1850, September.
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