Nickel Silicide Catalyst from Photovoltaic Waste for the Methanation Reaction

A technology designed for recycling photovoltaic (PV) cells at the end of their life was successfully used for the preparation of a nickel silicide catalyst. PV cells were mixed with magnesium scrap to produce magnesium silicide (Mg2Si), with almost total conversion under optimized conditions (400 °C, 5 Pa, 25 min), in a constructed semi-open tubular reactor. Subsequently, magnesium silicide was hydrolyzed by 25% phosphoric acid to produce a mixture of silicon hydrides, which were utilized as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) precursors for the preparation of a nickel silicide catalyst. The activity and stability of the prepared catalyst was repeatedly tested for methanation reactions. It was verified that the nickel silicide catalyst showed an approximately 20% higher activity for the methanation reactions compared to the commonly used nickel catalyst.

Unusually selective synthesis of chlorohydrooligosilanes

Novel methods were developed for the synthesis of partially chlorinated higher silicon hydrides with unexpected selectivity.