Environmentally friendly graphene for photovoltaic device recycling

Atmospheric pressure microwave plasma can rapidly synthesize freestanding graphene under ambient conditions. Recent research has focused on using non-toxic, sustainable precursors, specifically synthesizing graphene from expired tangerine peel oil, a widely available natural resource. According to the study, the Raman spectrum of the synthesized graphene displayed a distinctive 2D peak at microwave powers between 200 and 1000 W. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed an interstitial spacing of 0.34 nm, consistent with X-ray diffraction values obtained via Bragg’s law. Some variation in lattice spacing was observed due to oxygen functional groups. The synthesized graphene, when applied to a screen-printed electrode, was effectively used to recover silver from spent photovoltaics. The study claims this method enhanced resource efficiency, waste reduction, and versatile electrochemical applications.