Integrated Lead/Iodine Management for Sustainable Perovskite Solar Modules

The environmental hazards posed by the release of toxic lead ions (Pb²⁺) and volatile iodine species remain a major obstacle to the large-scale commercialization of perovskite solar modules. Here, we propose a dual-function adsorbent-porphyrin-modified whitlockite nanocomposites (WH&Por), which simultaneously captures volatile iodine via surface-coated porphyrin and adsorbs Pb²⁺ through the whitlockite matrix, forming an integrated pollutant barrier throughout the entire lifecycle of perovskite devices. Experimental results show that even under severe mechanical damage with a WH&Por loading of just 0.25 mg/cm², the protection system prevents the leakage of lead and iodine, demonstrating excellent environmental safety performance. In addition, we developed a semi-closed loop recycling process that enables the recovery of high-purity PbI₂ from perovskite waste, achieving a recovery yield of up to 96.9%. Devices reassembled using the recovered PbI₂ exhibit power conversion efficiencies comparable to those of their pristine counterparts. Remarkably, the residual Pb²⁺ concentration in the treated recycling waste solution was reduced to below 10 ppb, well beneath the stringent limit set by the European Union Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC. This study offers a practical and integrated "protection-recycling" solution to one of the key environmental challenges facing perovskite photovoltaics.