Synthesis and characterization of metal oxide-based photovoltaic cells

The materials suitable for photovoltaic (PV) applications are typically from groups II to VI of the periodic table. To fabricate PV cells, transparent PV (TPV) materials (TPVMs) are essential. TPVMs can be used in building facades and windows. While designing PV transparent materials, it is important to consider their haze ratio, color, transmittance, and aesthetic factors maintenance at all viewing angles. TPVMs can absorb light from the visible (Vis) region and generate electricity. For the impactful performance of solar cells, TPVMs are one of the determinants. Silicon and amorphous silicon as well as binary and ternary copper/cadmium chalcogenides are few of the appropriate materials for the application of PV devices. When light from sun incident onto the surface of PV materials absorb the light energy, this energy is converted into electricity. While we are investigating the difference between PV and TPVM, PV can convert directly sunlight into electricity. But TPVM is a distinct type of PV material that permits Vis light to traverse by absorbing invisible infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which aids in generating more electricity and importantly making it highly “transparent” to the naked eye of human. Traditional PV panels are typically used on rooftops to generate electricity, while TPVMs are often considered for applications like windows in buildings, where aesthetics and light transmission are important. Standard PV materials are opaque and absorb most Vis light to generate electricity, whereas TPVMs are designed to transmit Vis light while absorbing specific wavelengths like UV and IR to produce power. TPVMs are utilized in dye-sensitized, perovskite, amorphous silicon, quantum dot, and transparent luminescent solar concentrator (TLSC). ZnO can be used in perovskite solar cell by doping with semiconducting material, which can tune the optical and electrical properties. In this chapter, brief introduction to semiconducting materials and synthesis of TPV panels are discussed. The device fabrication of metal oxide-based solar cells, specifically ZnO-based solar cells, is also explained well. Analysis of electrical and optical characterization of ZnO is included for more clarity to the readers.