Reutilização de vidros de cobertura de painéis fotovoltaicos para produção de silicatos com baixa temperatura de fusão

Abstract

The growing demand for renewable energy sources and concerns about environmental impacts drive the search for sustainable solutions in the production and disposal of photovoltaic panels. This work investigated the reuse of solar panel cover glasses (cover glass) in the production of silicates with lower melting temperatures. CaF2 and Na2CO3 were incorporated into the recycled glass, and the reduction of the melting point was evaluated along with its physicochemical, ther- mal, and optical properties. The methodology involved preparing samples with different CaF2 concentrations, followed by analyses of density, X-ray Fluorescence (FRX), X-ray Diffraction (DRX), Thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), theoretical viscosity, in situ DRX with temperature variation, Raman, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spec- troscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet-Visible-Near Infrared Spectroscopy (UV-Vis-NIR), and refractive index, which formed the basis for discussion. The use of CaF2 proved promising in reducing the glass melting temperature, allowing for significant energy savings during the sample production process. Homogeneous samples containing up to 80% by mass of cover glass were obtained, melted at 1200 °C — about 300 °C lower than the conventional glass melting temperature. The analyses indicated good glass-forming ability, network depolymerization, and structural compaction with CaF2 addition. Thermal, structural, and optical properties were preserved or enhanced, highlighting high transmittance (≈ 90%), thermal stability, and the formation of func- tional phases such as combeite. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach for developing sustainable glasses with lower energy demand and promising technological and biomedical applications.