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Investigating the Remanufacturing Potential of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

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  • Fabian Schoden

    (Institute for Technical Energy Systems (ITES), Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, 33619 Bielefeld, Germany)

  • Joscha Detzmeier

    (Institute for Technical Energy Systems (ITES), Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, 33619 Bielefeld, Germany)

  • Anna Katharina Schnatmann

    (Institute for Technical Energy Systems (ITES), Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, 33619 Bielefeld, Germany)

  • Tomasz Blachowicz

    (Institute of Physics—Center for Science and Education, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland)

  • Eva Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp

    (Institute for Technical Energy Systems (ITES), Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, 33619 Bielefeld, Germany)

Abstract

Resources are becoming more expensive and less accessible, for instance construction wood or semiconductors. In addition, climate change requires the conversion of the energy system to 100% renewable energy. Therefore, we need resources to prevent the climate crisis from worsening, but at the same time, we are suffering from a worsening resource crisis. State-of-the-art technologies, such as silicon-based photovoltaic or wind power plants, are harnessing renewable energy but causing problems and resource losses at the end of their useful life. This alarming situation must be addressed with renewable energy technologies that can be used longer, repaired and remanufactured, and properly recycled at the end of their useful life. An emerging technology that can complement the established systems is dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Their production is less energy intensive and they can be manufactured without toxic materials. In line with the concept of the circular economy, the service life of all products must be improved in order to reduce resource consumption. Therefore, we investigated the potential for remanufacturing DSSCs by taking apart old DSSCs, cleaning the components, and building new DSSCs from the remanufactured components. The remanufactured DSSCs have the same or higher efficiencies and can be remanufactured multiple times.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabian Schoden & Joscha Detzmeier & Anna Katharina Schnatmann & Tomasz Blachowicz & Eva Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp, 2022. "Investigating the Remanufacturing Potential of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:9:p:5670-:d:810792
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fabian Schoden & Marius Dotter & Dörthe Knefelkamp & Tomasz Blachowicz & Eva Schwenzfeier Hellkamp, 2021. "Review of State of the Art Recycling Methods in the Context of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-12, June.
    2. Parisi, Maria Laura & Maranghi, Simone & Basosi, Riccardo, 2014. "The evolution of the dye sensitized solar cells from Grätzel prototype to up-scaled solar applications: A life cycle assessment approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 124-138.
    3. Parisi, M.L. & Maranghi, S. & Vesce, L. & Sinicropi, A. & Di Carlo, A. & Basosi, R., 2020. "Prospective life cycle assessment of third-generation photovoltaics at the pre-industrial scale: A long-term scenario approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    4. Fthenakis, Vasilis & Athias, Clement & Blumenthal, Alyssa & Kulur, Aylin & Magliozzo, Julia & Ng, David, 2020. "Sustainability evaluation of CdTe PV: An update," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    5. Gong, Jiawei & Liang, Jing & Sumathy, K., 2012. "Review on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs): Fundamental concepts and novel materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(8), pages 5848-5860.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fabian Schoden & Anna Katharina Schnatmann & Tomasz Blachowicz & Hildegard Manz-Schumacher & Eva Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp, 2022. "Circular Design Principles Applied on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-32, November.
    2. Sourava Chandra Pradhan & Jayadev Velore & Sruthi Meledath Meethal & Suraj Soman, 2023. "Fundamental Understanding of Dye Coverage and Performance in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Copper Electrolyte," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-14, September.

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