Stability assessment of layer-by-layer nanofiltration membranes for element recovery from highly acidic media
The recovery of critical raw materials such as indium (In) and silver (Ag) from end-of-life thin-film photovoltaics is essential for supporting the growing demand for renewable energy technologies. This study evaluates the acid stability of layer-by-layer nanofiltration (LbL-NF) membranes for metal recovery from acidic leachates to identify a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. Among various configurations, sPES(PAH/PSS)₄ membranes exhibited outstanding resistance and long-term stability (> 300 h) in 5 % HNO₃, which potentially enables the recovery of 9100 g In and 6600 g Ag per m² of membrane. A life cycle assessment indicated a 34 %–46 % reduction in the global warming potential (GWP) of recycled Ag and a 40 %–50 % reduction for recycled In compared with the supply mix under modelled conditions. For Ag, the GWP was 137 g and 123 g CO₂-eq/g at 70 % and 80 % LbL-NF permeate recovery, respectively. For In, the GWP was 50 g and 55 g CO₂-eq/g at 70 % and 80 % recovery, respectively. These results highlight the climate benefits of LbL-NF membranes in circular resource recovery from end-of-life photovoltaics, which helps to identify key hotspots for optimisation and scale-up.
2-s2.0-105018585436
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
2026-01-15
225
108630
REVIEWED
EPFL
| Funder | Funding(s) | Grant Number | Grant URL |
European Union | |||
Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation | |||
European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program | 101075330 | ||
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