Synthesis and characterization of silica nanoparticles from solar panel glass cullet

Pathomporn  USSAWANAWACHAT; Nithiwach  NAWAUKKARATHARNANT; Apirat THEERAPAPVISETPONG

doi:10.55713/jmmm.v35i4.2448

Authors

Pathomporn USSAWANAWACHAT Upcycled Materials from Industrial and Agricultural Wastes Research Unit, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
Nithiwach NAWAUKKARATHARNANT Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Upcycled Materials from Industrial and Agricultural Wastes Research Unit, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
Apirat THEERAPAPVISETPONG Upcycled Materials from Industrial and Agricultural Wastes Research Unit, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9686-8338

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55713/jmmm.v35i4.2448

Keywords:

Silica nanoparticles, solar panel recycling, alkali fusion, glass cullet, polyethylene glycol

Abstract

The rapid growth of solar energy as a renewable resource has led to a significant increase in discarded solar panels. Recycling their glass components, especially fine cullet fragments, remains a major challenge due to impurity levels and processing limitations. This study proposes a sustainable approach to recycle solar panel glass cullet into high-purity silica nanoparticles using alkali fusion followed by acid precipitation. Process conditions including cullet to NaOH ratio, fusion temperature, and surfactant addition were optimized. The highest silica yield of 60.26% was achieved at a 1:1.4 cullet to NaOH ratio and 500℃. Polyethylene glycol (PEG 1000) was used as a surfactant to reduce agglomeration and enhancing surface characteristics. BET analysis showed that PEG addition increased the specific surface area to 372.34 m²∙g^‒1 and formed a compact mesoporous structure with an average pore size of 8.91 nm. In comparison, samples without PEG exhibited a larger pore size of 12.36 nm and a lower surface area of 360.24  m²∙g^‒1. EDX confirmed the high purity of the synthesized silica, with 95.12% SiO₂. These findings demonstrate a practical and environmentally beneficial method to convert problematic solar panel waste into valuable nanomaterials, supporting sustainable resource recovery and circular economy goals.

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Author Biographies

Pathomporn USSAWANAWACHAT, Upcycled Materials from Industrial and Agricultural Wastes Research Unit, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

Master’s Student, Ceramic Technology Program

Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science

Chulalongkorn University

Nithiwach NAWAUKKARATHARNANT, Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Upcycled Materials from Industrial and Agricultural Wastes Research Unit, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

¹Upcycled Materials from Industrial and Agricultural Wastes Research Unit, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

²Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.

Apirat THEERAPAPVISETPONG, Upcycled Materials from Industrial and Agricultural Wastes Research Unit, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

Asst. Prof. Dr. Apirat Theerapapvisetpong (ผู้ช่วยศาสตราจารย์ ดร.อภิรัฐ ธีรภาพวิเศษพงษ์) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science from Chulalongkorn University, M.Sc. in Ceramic Technology from Chulalongkorn University, and B.Sc. in Materials Science from Chiang Mai University.

Dr. Theerapapvisetpong specializes in developing glass and glass-ceramic materials for advanced applications, with particular expertise in high-temperature sealing materials for energy storage devices, lead-free low-temperature sealing glass, and barium-free glass-ceramic sealants for solid oxide fuel cells. His research also encompasses porous and lightweight ceramics from glass waste, basalt fiber applications, glass properties calculation, and traditional ceramic processing improvements.

His notable contributions include developing environmentally friendly glass-ceramic sealants in the CaO-MgO-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ system for solid oxide fuel cell applications, addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy technology. He has authored research papers and serves as a recognized expert in ceramic technology and glass science, contributing to both fundamental research and practical applications in energy materials and sustainable technology development.

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