Nanomaterials in Solar Cells

Abstract

Reducing cost and improving conversion efficiency are the main tasks in order to make photovoltaic energy competitive and able to substitute traditional fossil energies. Nanotechnology seems to be the way by which photovoltaics can be developed, whether in inorganic or organic solar cells. Wide-bandgap nanostructured materials (nanomaterials) prepared from II–VI and III–V elements are attracting an increased attention for their potential applications in emerging energy. They can be prepared in different geometric shapes, including nanowires (NWs), nanobelts, nanosprings, nanocombs, and nanopagodas. Variations in the atom arrangements in order to minimize the electrostatic energy originated from the ionic charge on the polar surface are responsible for a wide range of nanostructures. This book chapter will focus on contribution of nanomaterials in solar cell technology advancement