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Reduced open-voltage deficit and enhanced light absorption enable bifacial tandem device with equivalent efficiency of 29.3% 

Abstract Perovskite photovoltaics are gaining increasing common ground to partner with or compete with silicon photovoltaics to reduce cost of solar energy. However, a cost-effective waste management for toxic lead (Pb), which might determine the fate of this technology, has not been developed yet. Here, we report an end-of-life material management for perovskite solar modules to recycle toxic lead and valuable transparent conductors to protect the environment and create dramatic economic benefits from recycled materials. Lead is separated from decommissioned modules by weakly acidic cation exchange resin, which could be released as soluble Pb(NO 3 ) 2 followed by precipitation as PbI 2 for reuse, with a recycling efficiency of 99.2%. Thermal delamination disassembles the encapsulated modules with intact transparent conductors and cover glasses. The refabricated devices based on recycled lead iodide and recycled transparent conductors show comparable performance as devices based on fresh raw materials. Cost analysis shows this recycling technology is economically attractive. 

Despite the high-efficiency and low-cost prospect for perovskite solar cells, great concerns of lead toxicity and instability remain for this technology. Here, we report an encapsulation strategy for perovskite modules based on lead-adsorbing ionogel, which prevents lead leakage and withstand long-term stability tests. The ionogel layers integrated on both sides of modules enhance impact resistance. The self-healable ionogel can prevent water permeation into the perovskite layer and adsorb lead that might leak. The encapsulated devices pass the damp heat and thermal cycling accelerated stability tests according to International Electrotechnical Commission 61215 standard. The ionogel encapsulation reduces lead leakage to undetectable level after the hail-damaged module is soaked in water for 24 hours. Even being rolled over by a car followed by water soaking for 45 days, the ionogel encapsulation reduces lead leakage by three orders of magnitude. This work provides a strategy to simultaneously address lead leakage and stability for perovskite modules.