Stability assessment of layer-by-layer nanofiltration membranes for element recovery from highly acidic media

The recovery of critical raw materials such as indium (In) and silver (Ag) from end-of-life thin-film photovoltaics is essential for supporting the growing demand for renewable energy technologies. This study evaluates the acid stability of layer-by-layer nanofiltration (LbL-NF) membranes for metal recovery from acidic leachates to identify a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. Among various configurations, sPES(PAH/PSS)₄ membranes exhibited outstanding resistance and long-term stability (> 300 h) in 5 % HNO₃, which potentially enables the recovery of 9100 g In and 6600 g Ag per m² of membrane. A life cycle assessment indicated a 34 %–46 % reduction in the global warming potential (GWP) of recycled Ag and a 40 %–50 % reduction for recycled In compared with the supply mix under modelled conditions. For Ag, the GWP was 137 g and 123 g CO₂-eq/g at 70 % and 80 % LbL-NF permeate recovery, respectively. For In, the GWP was 50 g and 55 g CO₂-eq/g at 70 % and 80 % recovery, respectively. These results highlight the climate benefits of LbL-NF membranes in circular resource recovery from end-of-life photovoltaics, which helps to identify key hotspots for optimisation and scale-up.

Schlagwörter

Fachgebiet (DDC)

600 - Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften

Projekt

Veranstaltung

Startdatum der Ausstellung

Enddatum der Ausstellung

Startdatum der Konferenz

Enddatum der Konferenz

Datum der letzten Prüfung

ISBN

ISSN

0921-3449

Sprache

Englisch

Während FHNW Zugehörigkeit erstellt

Ja

Zukunftsfelder FHNW

Zero Emission

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Begutachtung

Peer-Review der ganzen Publikation

Open Access-Status

Hybrid

Lizenz

Zitation

Rohrer, K., Amrein, M., Rocco, D., Müller, T., Hengevoss, D., Vallat, B., Thomann, M., Hedwig, S., & Lenz, M. (2026). Stability assessment of layer-by-layer nanofiltration membranes for element recovery from highly acidic media. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 225, 108630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108630

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