Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes: From Recovery of Pb from Perovskite Solar Cells to Supercapacitor Usage

Sustainable disposal and valorization of recovered lead from end-of-life perovskite solar cells (PSCs) remain critical challenges from environmental and electrochemical perspectives. Here, we demonstrate a dual-function process wherein Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes adsorbents are first employed to recover lead from green acetone-based PSC recycling waste and subsequently repurposed as high-performant supercapacitor electrode active materials. Remarkably, Ti₃C₂Tₓ achieves >99.9% Pb²⁺ ion removal from 100 ppm Pb/acetone solutions, with an adsorption capacity reaching up to 555 mg·g⁻¹. After adsorption, the Pb-loaded MXene (Ti₃C₂Tₓ/Pbads) retains its structural integrity and exhibits significantly enhanced electrochemical performance. Electrochemical cycling in a sodium acetate aqueous electrolyte reveals a doubled specific capacity of the MXenes; from ca. 30 C·g⁻¹ to ca. 60 C·g⁻¹, by introducing reversible Pb²⁺/Pb⁰ redox activity while maintaining the initial MXene pseudocapacitive behavior. Overall, this dual-function process demonstrates a closed circular materials loop by recovering a green solvent from the PSC recycling, while transforming a hazardous waste stream into a value-added energy storage material.

ANDRADE Marcelo;  MEZZETTI Alessandro;  FUMAGALLI Francesco Sirio;  CECCONE Giacomo;  CROSNIER Olivier;  JOHANSSON Patrik;  BROUSSE Thierry; 

2025-12-02

ELECTROCHEMICAL SOC INC

JRC142867

1945-7111 (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC142867,   

10.1149/1945-7111/ae1ad5 (online),