Researcher’s portrait –
Agathe Vaché
After completing her master’s degree in engineering at ENSI Caen, with a major in catalysis and chemistry for renewable energies, Agathe Vaché did her end-of-study internship at CEA-Liten in Grenoble. She worked on the recycling of platinum and iridium in fuel cells by electrochemical means in unconventional environments (ionic liquids). It was also in this laboratory that she joined the NTE axis of the PEPR.
Her thesis, supervised by Jean-Yves Hihn, professor at the University of Franche-Comté, focuses on the recycling of metals of interest present in silicon photovoltaic cells, the most common on the market. The recycling process studied involves the use of deep eutectic solvents, formed by a mixture of two compounds which, in the right proportions, lower the melting point of the mixture compared to the reactants that compose it.
More specifically, Agathe’s thesis focuses on the recovery of metals such as silver, copper, tin, and lead, as well as thin layers of ITO (indium tin oxide). The principle involves leaching the metals (chemical dissolution) followed by electrochemical recovery (electrodeposition) on end-of-life cells to separate and recover the pure metals. The young researcher keeps the main objective of her research in mind: to improve hydrometallurgical recycling processes, while considering a viable application for industry (reducing the number of steps and adapting it to large-scale use in an uncontrolled environment).
Within the PEPR, Agathe is closely involved in research on the recycling of photovoltaic cells and batteries. This research environment, coupled with visits to laboratories such as ICGM in Montpellier, which works on recycling for hydrogen technologies, among other things, provides a framework for scientific exchange on a variety of topics. However, what she enjoys most is the practical aspect of her research project, which explores solutions that have a significant impact on society, both economically and ecologically.
More news
