A research paper published in Nature Sustainability journal demonstrated a way to make silicon sourced from old solar panels, turning them into anodes for lithium-ion batteries.
The Chinese researchers called the findings “game-changing” for manufacturing resilient and durable batteries while reducing waste. Co-author Dr Tao Liu from Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, explains:
“This work not only suggests a more sustainable supply source for silicon particles but also addresses the major challenges facing micro-sized silicon anode materials.”
The paper explains that current commercial batteries use graphite anodes, which are “rapidly approaching their energy density ceilings” and will not be able to meet “the ever-increasing demands of electric vehicles.”
Meanwhile, silicon is a more common material and creates a battery that is more energy-dense but with a shorter lifespan. The researchers created a battery that kept 83% of its capacity after both charging and discharging 200 times – an impressive energy density of 341kWh.
Sourcing sustainable silicon from end-of-life solar panels “mitigates both the economic and environmental impacts of photovoltaic waste,” according to co-author Dr Tiantian Dong from the Qingdao Institute.
Lead researcher Prof. Guanglei Cui adds that by using “recycled materials and advanced chemical engineering”, the accessibility of sustainable and effective lithium-ion batteries is no longer a distant goal.
