Composites as candidate materials for photovoltaic cells

Abstract

Composites are two or more materials with different propertiesjoined together to manufacture a new material. The resulting physicaland chemical properties of each constituent new materialremain distinct with enhanced properties when compared to theindividual constituent materials. Photovoltaic (PV) cells have beenvery important source of energy in recent years falling underrenewable energy resources (RESs), meaning that they are abundantin nature and also environmentally friendly in producingelectricity. PV cells contain tiny different types of silicon layerswhich when the sun shines through them cause reactions between the electrons. In this way, the movement of the electrons through them and around the circuitgenerates electricity. A lot of research has been done and still going on in the enhancement of the PV cells to optimise their application. Therefore, the objective of this study is to review and compare the current state-of-the-art articles on different types of composites, which have been used for the PV cell enhancement, especially some two-dimensional (2D) materials. Therefore, graphene and MoS used as nanocomposites are considered in this review to support appropriate and informed decisions that are made available to researchers and industries to know the best materials to use going forward in the manufacture of PV cells for better enhancement. A summary of these and more has been presented and prospected in this article.