Using Life Cycle Assessment to Improve the Sustainability of Laboratory Synthesis of Chalcogenide Nanoparticles for Thin Film Photovoltaics

A life cycle assessment (LCA) is conducted to investigate the sustainability of a laboratory scale process to synthesise Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) nanoparticles at two different synthesis volumes. This process is the first stage in the fabrication of the light absorbing layer of a Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CZTSSe) thinfilm photovoltaic (PV) device. The assessment involves analysis of a range of environmental impact categories and the identification of “hotspots” where potential alternatives are suggested and evaluated. Synthesis of the CTZS nanoparticles at a larger batch volume results in benefits across a range of environmental impact categories. Further, the PV device performance made from these inks was unaffected relative to devices made from the smaller synthesis volume. Assessment of the entire CZTS nanoparticle ink fabrication allows for investigation into the sustainability of the nanoparticle ink as a product and the exploration of alternative, more environmentally friendly solvents used for washing and dispersing the nanoparticles.