Abstract
Solar energy applications rely heavily on p-block elements and transition metals. Silicon is, by far, the most commonly used material in photovoltaic cells and accounts for about 85% of modules sold presently. Of late, thin film photovoltaic cells have gained momentum because of their higher efficiencies. Most of these thin film devices are made out of just five elements, namely, cadmium, tellurium, selenium, indium, gallium and copper. The present manuscript describes an elegant and inexpensive molten salt-based electrolytic process for fabricating a tellurium-coated metallic substrate. A three-electrode set up was employed to coat iridium with tellurium from a molten bath containing lithium chloride, lithium oxide and tellurium tetrachloride (LiCl-Li2O-TeCl4) at 650 °C for a duration ranging from 30 to 120 min under a galvanostatic mode. The tellurium coating was observed to be thick, uniform, smooth and homogeneous. Additionally, the deposited tellurium did not chemically react with the iridium substrate to form intermetallic compounds, which is a good feature from the standpoint of the device’s performance characteristics. The present process, being generic in nature, shows the potential for the manufacture of both the coated substates and high-purity elements not just for tellurium but also for other p-block elements.
Highlights
P-block elements, ranging from group 13 through 18 except helium from group 18 in the periodic table, consist of metals, nonmetals and semimetals/metalloids
In order to cater to the increasing demand, the recycling of waste photovoltaic modules to recover precious metals, such as germanium, selenium, tellurium and remove toxic elements has, in recent years, gained global momentum [1–3]
The present study describes results from one of our recent experimental research efforts whereby the focus was to examine the suitability of a platinum group metal (PGM)
Summary
P-block elements, ranging from group 13 through 18 except helium from group 18 in the periodic table, consist of metals, nonmetals and semimetals/metalloids. P-block elements, ranging from group 13 through 18 except helium from group 18, consist of metals, nonmetals and semimetals/metalloids. Some of these elements, such as silicon, selenium, tellurium, bismuth, indium, gallium, germanium and their compounds/alloys, are extensively used in many key technologies including the clean energy sector. Due to an increased demand for photovoltaic cells, some of these elements have become the most sought-after commodities for the manufacture of these devices/modules to capture solar energy in a cost-effective manner. In order to cater to the increasing demand, the recycling of waste photovoltaic modules to recover precious metals, such as germanium, selenium, tellurium and remove toxic elements (cadmium, lead) has, in recent years, gained global momentum [1–3]
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