Metal Oxide Thin Films Used as Solar Absorbers: Review

The metal oxide materials have attracted more and more interest, due to excellent physical, optical and electric properties. These thin films were employed in a wide range of applications including the laser devices, supercapacitor, solar cells, biosensors, biomedical, photo catalysis, luminescent materials. Synthesis of metal oxide films have been described by many scientists by using different deposition techniques such as physical technique and chemical methods. Characterization is a very important step to ensure that the obtained thin films could be used for specific purposes. The main objective of this work is reporting on the development or improvement in thin film based solar cells, perovskite solar cells, and dye sensitized solar cell, based on the literature review. The photovoltaic parameters (short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, fill factor and efficiency) were investigated in solar cell produced via various conditions. The various types of solar cells were constructed and the power conversion efficiency was highlighted. The overall experimental results showed that metal oxide films could be employed as electron transport layer, electron conducting medium, anti-reflecting layer, and hole transport material.