title: Thin-film photovoltaic cells: long-term metal(loid) leaching at their end-of-life.
abstract: The photovoltaic effect of thin-film copper indium gallium selenide cells (CIGS) is conferred by the latter elements. Organic photovoltaic cells (OPV), relying on organic light-absorbing molecules, also contain a variety of metals (e.g., Zn, Al, In, Sn, Ag). The environmental impact of such technologies is largely unknown, in particular when the physical integrity deteriorates upon end-of-life, possibly facilitating cell constituent leaching. This study analyzed long-term inorganic leaching from damaged OPV and CIGS into different model waters. Leachate concentrations were put into perspective by calculating the predicted environmental concentrations (PEC) for several scenarios. Roof-top acidic rain runoff from CIGS was found to be the predominant emission source for metals and metalloids, with Cd released to such extents that PEC (173.4 μg Cd L(-1)) would considerably exceed acute toxicity concentrations for Daphnia magna . Other PEC for CIGS (9.9 mg Mo L(-1) and 9.4 μg Se L(-1)) were in the range of teratogenic effects. In contrast, OPV released little metals with calculated PEC being below even conservative drinking water guidelines. Time-resolved single-particle ICP-MS indicated that some metals (Zn, Mo, Ag) were in nanoparticulate form, raising nanotoxicity concerns. Leaching kinetics called for revision of existing standardized (accelerated) leaching protocols because long-term release was most relevant.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ecopreneurship, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland , Gründenstrasse 40, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Yannick-Serge
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schäffer
authors.forename: Philippe F-X
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Corvini
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lenz
mesh_terms: D015258:Acid Rain; D000818:Animals; D003621:Daphnia / Q000187:drug effects; D005708:Gallium / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D060106:Lakes / Q000737:chemistry; D058955:Metalloids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D012643:Selenium / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D015258:Acid Rain; D058955:Metalloids; D052638:Particulate Matter; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C517764:gallium selenide; D005708:Gallium; D012643:Selenium