Interface Engineering in Nanostructured Photovoltaics: Materials, Mechanisms and Efficiency Enhancement

Abstract

Within a short time, the nanostructured photovoltaic technologies have reached significant developments in power conversion efficiency. With material interfaces, however, non-radiative recombination is a significant issue that hinders efficiency and stability. This review will cover a comprehensive analysis of interface engineering strategies in CdTe and CIGS, Perovskites and Quantum dots solar cells. The basic mechanisms, such as band alignment, interfacial defects and charge transport mechanisms, are discussed. Different modification techniques such as optimization of the buffer layer, surface passivation, insertion of 2D materials, green-synthesized nanomaterials are analysed critically. Experimental results show 15-22% higher power conversion efficiencies and attaining greater stabilities of above 1000 hours through optimized interfaces. Special focus is placed on sustainable solutions based on plant-mediated synthesis of ZnO, TiO₂ nanoparticles, as low-cost interface layers. Finally, future trends of interface design and self-healing materials for future photovoltaics using artificial intelligence are discussed.