Utilizing waste glass from photovoltaic modules for glass foam production: a study on optimizing the processing parameters

Abstract

Waste glass from photovoltaic modules and eggshell waste was utilized to produce glass foams with low thermal conductivity and high specific compressive strength. The study explored the effects of processing parameters, such as the granulometry of raw materials, foaming agent amount, and heat treatment, on glass foams’ properties. These parameters strongly influenced the physical characteristics of the GFs. Using waste glass and eggshell waste particles with average diameters of 19.95 and 9.39 μm, respectively, along with 5 wt% of foaming agent, yielded the highest expansion (715%) and the lowest density (0.20 g cm⁻³) when foaming was performed at 800 °C. These conditions produced samples with an average thermal conductivity of 0.046 Wm⁻¹ K⁻¹ and a specific compressive strength of 4.40 MPa g⁻¹ cm³. The glass foams developed here show great potential as effective insulators with good mechanical properties while also promoting the valorization of waste glass and eggshells.