Sustainable Recycling of Lead-Acid Batteries into Perovskite Thin Films for Solar Energy
Electronic & Magnetic Materials Department, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI)
Abstract:
Spent lead-acid batteries pose severe environmental risks due to toxic waste accumulation. This study presents an eco-friendly recycling approach, transforming non-reusable battery lead into high-purity lead halides (PbX₂), essential precursors for perovskite solar cells. The synthesized PbI₂, PbCl₂, and PbBr₂ were comprehensively characterized (XRD, XPS, TEM, UV-Vis, PL) and used to fabricate CH₃NH₃PbI₃ thin films via inkjet printing at 1.0 M and 1.3 M concentrations. Structural analysis confirmed a tetragonal perovskite phase, with smaller crystallite sizes (36.8 to 31.3 nm) and enhanced light absorption (band gap shift from 1.557 to 1.546 eV) at higher concentrations. A cost assessment demonstrated the economic feasibility of this recycling process, promoting a sustainable and scalable pathway for solar energy applications.
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