Work

Thermal Decomposition Behaviour of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate from End-of-Life Monocrystalline Solar Panels Under Slow Pyrolysis Treatment

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigated the low-temperature thermal treatment of EVA encapsulant from an end-of-life 180 Wp monocrystalline PV panel while evaluating the preservation of recovered crystalline silicon. TGA showed that EVA underwent major decomposition between approximately 330 and 480 °C, with an onset temperature of 310.4 °C and mass loss of 94.34%. Thermal treatment was subsequently conducted at 300–500 °C for 30–50 min under nitrogen using a Taguchi L9 design. XRD analysis showed substantially improved silicon diffraction intensity after treatment, while the 300 °C residues were unsuitable for analysis due to incomplete EVA decomposition. Taguchi-based analysis was used as a preliminary screening approach to compare the investigated treatment conditions. Within the experimental range, 400 °C for 40 min was identified as a practical treatment condition based on the measured XRD response, treatment duration, and estimated furnace energy requirement. The results indicate that controlled thermal treatment promoted substantial EVA decomposition while maintaining detectable crystalline silicon in the treated material.

Source: Journal of Composites Science

DOI: 10.3390/jcs10100539

Authors: Siti Nurain Yusof, Ahmad Hamdan Ariffin, Tabrej Khan, Tamer A. Sebaey

Institutions: Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia, Prince Sultan University, Zagazig University

Language: English

Topic: Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172