Recent advances in inorganic binary solar cells

Abstract

The solar cell industry has long been dominated by various silicon technologies, along with a limited range of thin-film options such as cadmium telluride, copper–indium–gallium selenide (CIGS), and a few III-V materials. This trend is also reflected in the current research landscape. The successful development of high-efficiency solar cells using alternative materials could significantly enhance industry and help bridge the competitiveness gap with other energy sources. In this review, we explore recent advancements in solar cells that utilize inorganic binary materials, focusing primarily on single $p$-$n$ junction designs. We highlight twenty-three alternative semiconductor materials, emphasizing their maximum efficiencies and the key challenges encountered in their applications.