Recycled solar panel waste powers 100% pure hydrogen production

Researchers at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea have developed a novel, low-temperature process to produce 100% pure hydrogen from ammonia using recycled silicon from discarded solar panels. This mechanochemical method employs a ball milling technique at just 50°C (122°F), significantly lower than conventional ammonia cracking processes that require temperatures between 400°C and 600°C. The process involves shaking ammonia gas and finely powdered silicon in a sealed container, where mechanical impacts activate the silicon to decompose ammonia, releasing hydrogen gas. A key innovation is the in-situ capture of nitrogen byproduct as solid silicon nitride, eliminating the need for energy-intensive hydrogen purification steps and achieving a hydrogen generation rate of 102.5 mmol per hour with perfect purity. Beyond efficiency, the technology offers strong sustainability benefits by utilizing silicon recovered from end-of-life solar panels, addressing the growing environmental challenge of photovoltaic waste projected to exceed 80 million tons by 2050. Additionally, the