Authors: D’Souza, Alan; Ramirez, Arantza; Beck, Gesa;

Institute of Applied Resource Strategies at the SRH University of Applied Sciences, Berlin;

The main goal of this experiment is to recycle the Photovoltaic Cells using 3 different organic solvents which are d-limonene, toluene, and butyric acid. With the help of these Solvents, we tend to separate the different factions of materials present in the Photovoltaic cells, which are Glass, Plastics such as PET, PVF, and EVA, Metal wires and Silicon.

The experimental parameters are different time duration (60 and 180 minutes) and different temperature durations (ranging from 30^oC to 90^oC) and Ultrasound.

At 30^oC, the delamination by toluene is much more favorable when compared to d-limonene, but the complete separation was not achieved. When the results were checked at higher temperatures, the results obtained were similar between these two solvents, and the back sheet was separated (at 60^oC-80^oC) in both the solvents. In the case of butyric acid, these separations were not completely observed, and the drying period after the experiments were done took a long time.

The experiments were even done using ultrasound and the solvent: toluene and d-limonene. The parameters were 75 ^oC, and a time duration of 15 minutes to 120 minutes, with an ultrasound frequency of 35kHz. The results of both the experiments were similar, with no proper separation of layers.

This shows that even the environmentally friendly and less toxic solvent which is d-limonene can perform the same task as the toxic solvent toluene.

Alan D'Souza (B.Eng.)