Toxicity, Leakage, and Recycling of Lead in Perovskite Photovoltaics

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have developed rapidly in recent years due to their excellent photoelectric properties. Among them, lead-based perovskite photovoltaics have shown great potential for both outdoor and indoor applications, whose power conversion efficiency and stability are much higher than that of lead-free PSCs. However, based on results of in vivo animal studies, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes annotations and pathway analysis of microbiota and metabolites influenced by lead, it has been proved that lead exposure from PSCs probably causes systematic toxicity to human body. For the purpose of reducing lead leakage, some methods mainly based on polymer resin protective layers and self-healing encapsulation have been introduced, which can increase lead capture rate up to 95% under harsh conditions. Eventually, the devices will still face damage and obsolescence, accompanied by lead leakage into the environment. Comprehensive recycling strategies are necessary to solve this problem from the root and also shorten the energy payback time for further transformation and upgrading of green energy. The vertical and in-depth collaborative strategy for lead leakage prevention and comprehensive recycling would provide an environmentally-friendly guarantee for the final large-scale market of perovskite photovoltaics.