Lead Stabilization and Iodine Recycling of Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

Lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved great progress and become one of the most promising candidates for next-generation low-cost and high-efficiency photovoltaics (PVs). There are still many challenges toward successful commercialization, while the use of toxic lead and a potentially large amount of other related raw materials is one of the main challenges for large-scale applications. Recycling chemical components in PSCs is a great way for resource saving and recovery; however, currently, there are few reports on the recycling of valuable and scarce iodine. Here, we reported a novel approach for both lead stabilization and iodide recovery by using cost-effective and nontoxic commercial zeolite in an aqueous solution. We also demonstrated a cost-effective procedure for recycling iodine in PSCs. The lead ions were adsorbed by zeolite through ion exchange, while the valuable iodide ions were recycled. High stabilization efficiency of the lead element was achieved approaching 100%, and the recovery efficiency of iodide in solution reached >95%. Finally, the PSC devices based on recycled PbI2 showed comparable PV performances with those of devices based on expensive and commercial-available high-purity PbI2.