Recycling silicon solar cell waste in cement-based systems

This is a study of the recycling of crystalline solar cells by incorporating them in cement matrices. The hydration process of a mixture of calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and solar photovoltaic cell waste was researched and analyzed. The nature of the hydration products of various compositions of th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Solar energy materials and solar cells Vol. 95; no. 7; pp. 1701 - 1706
Main Authors:	Fernández, Lucia J, Ferrer, R., Aponte, D.F., Fernández, P.
Format:	Journal Article Publication
Language:	English
Published:	Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-07-2011 Elsevier
Subjects:	Applied sciences Building Cement Cements Ciment Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation Edificació Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering Electrical power engineering Energy Exact sciences and technology Hydration Materials de construcció Mathematical analysis Matrices Natural energy New applications Photoelectric conversion Photovoltaic cells Photovoltaic conversion Recycling Silicon Solar cells Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells Solar energy Wastes Àrees temàtiques de la UPC Solar cells Building Silicon Recycling New applications Silicon solar cells Scanning electron microscopy Calcium Hydration New product Buildings Thermal insulation X ray diffraction Porous material Photovoltaic cell Solar cell Crystalline material Infrared spectrometry Aluminates Cement Porosity
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Summary:	This is a study of the recycling of crystalline solar cells by incorporating them in cement matrices. The hydration process of a mixture of calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and solar photovoltaic cell waste was researched and analyzed. The nature of the hydration products of various compositions of these mixtures was evaluated at a temperature of 20 °C by analyzing the samples through X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The total porosity and mechanical strength development of these materials were also determined. It was revealed that the presence of a solar cell residue of up to 5% in the cement matrices does not result in new hydration products that are different from those derived from the normal hydration of the CAC cement. Moreover, the material developed can be considered as an expansive cement blend because it releases H 2 at early stages. The presence of waste causes a decrease in the mechanical strength and an increase in the total porosity of this material, but it can be used for applications such as thermal insulation. [Display omitted] ►We recycle crystalline solar cells wastes by incorporating them in cement matrices. ► We analyze the microstructure of calcium aluminate cement and solar photovoltaic cell waste mixtures. ► The solar cell residue in the CAC matrix gives up to a normal hydration of the CAC cement. ► The material developed can be considered as an expansive cement blend and can be used as thermal insulation applications.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0927-0248 1879-3398
DOI:	10.1016/j.solmat.2011.01.033