One-Step Heat Treatment for Effective Separation of Ag from Si Solar Cells

The disposal of end-of-life photovoltaic components presents a substantial challenge. This study introduces a novel one-step heat treatment process for the efficient recovery of Ag from Si solar cells. Through the utilization of a high-temperature microscope, the behavior of Ag during the heating process was carefully observed, revealing a sequence of melting, aggregation, and ultimately the formation of Ag droplets. Notably, this process significantly minimizes the use of hazardous chemicals and reduces operational costs.