Innovative materials for energy storage systems and photovoltaic solar technologies: A review

Energy production and storage systems are of prime importance for both scientific research and end-users, given the urgent need to reduce environmental and climatic impacts associated with conventional energy technologies. Energy storage plays a key role in managing the balance between supply and demand, while mitigating the intermittency of renewable energy sources. The development of these systems is therefore essential if we are to meet today’s energy challenges. With this in mind, advanced materials stand out as promising solutions for applications in solar cells and storage systems. These materials offer significant advantages, such as lower production costs and enhanced efficiency. Their abundance in Earth’s crust and their non-toxicity reinforce their relevance for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of solar cell technologies and the fundamentals of energy storage systems, with a particular focus on the convergence of materials engineering and storage strategies. Special attention is devoted to thin films, including two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, metal oxides, and emerging alternative thin films, highlighting their roles in improving charge transport, stability, and overall device performance. The integration of these materials into alternative energy storage systems is also discussed, underscoring their capacity to combine high efficiency with environmental compatibility. The findings reveal both the opportunities and limitations of thin films in advancing solar energy conversion and energy storage. While remarkable progress has been achieved in terms of efficiency and stability, challenges such as large-scale integration, cost reduction, and long-term durability remain critical. Finally, the review emphasizes future directions, pointing to the need for multidisciplinary approaches and the exploration of novel material combinations to enable the next generation of sustainable energy systems.