All-oxide solar cells

Abstract One of the most intensively investigated directions in the field of photovoltaics is the development of technologies able to provide vacuum-free and low-cost solar cells with decent efficiency, based on earth-abundant and environmentally friendly materials. Solar cells based on oxide materials are a promising candidate for the purpose, being most of the investigated oxides comparatively more stable than most of solar cell technologies alternative to silicon, and composed of harmless materials. While oxides can exhibit high extinction coefficient in the visible and near-infrared spectral region, guaranteeing full absorption of sunlight, the main factor limiting efficiency in such kind of p–n junction devices is the low hole mobility in the p-type oxide, which represents the main challenge to be overcome to make this technology competitive. This chapter illustrates the latest results in the field, including integration of nanowire geometries as viable solution toward fast charge transport and collection.