Photovoltaic panels were included in EU Directive as WEEE (Wastes of Electric and Electronic Equipment) requiring the implementation of dedicated collection schemes and end-of-life treatment ensuring targets in terms of recycling rate (80%) and recovery rate (85%). Photovoltaic panels are mainly made up of high-quality solar glass (70–90%), but also metals are present in the frames (Al), the cell (Si), and metallic contacts (Cu and Ag). According to the panel composition, about $72 per 100 kg of panels can be recovered by entirely recycling the panel metal content. The PhotoLife process for the treatment of end-of-life photovoltaic panels was demonstrated at pilot scale to recycle high value glass, Al and Cu scraps. A process upgrade is here reported allowing for polymer separation and Ag and Si recycling. By this advanced PhotoLife process, 82% recycling rate, 94% recovery rate, and 75% recoverable value were attained. Simulations demonstrated the economic feasibility of the process at processing capacity of 30,000 metric ton/y of end-of-life photovoltaic panels.

P-Cu₂O/n-TiO₂ photoanodes were produced by electrodeposition of octahedral p-type Cu₂O nanoparticles over n-type TiO₂ nanotubes. The photoresponse of the composite p–n photoanodes was evaluated in photoelectrochemical cells operating at “zero-bias” conditions under either visible or UV–vis irradiation. In both operating conditions, the produced electrodes invariably followed the p–n-based photoanode operations but exhibited lower photoelectrochemical performance as compared to the bare n-TiO₂ photoanode under UV–vis light. The reported experimental analysis evidenced that such decreased photoactivity is mainly induced by the scarce efficiency of the nanosized p–n interfaces upon irradiation. To overcome such limitation, a restructuring of the originally electrodeposited p-Cu₂O was promoted, following a photoelectrochemical post-treatment strategy. p-Cu₂O, restructured in a 2D leaf-like morphology, allowed reaching an improved photoelectrochemical performance for the p–n-based photoanode under UV–vis light. As compared to the bare n-TiO₂ behavior, such improvement consisted of photoanodic currents up to three times larger. An analysis of the mechanisms driving the transition from compact (∼100 nm) octahedral p-Cu₂O to wider (∼1 μm) 2D leaf-like structures was performed, which highlighted the pivotal role played by the irradiated n-TiO₂ NTs.