Titanium Dioxide: A Versatile Earth-Abundant Optical Material for Photovoltaics

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has long been receiving attention as a promising material for enhancing the performance of photovoltaic devices due to its tunable optoelectronic properties. This paper reviews the utilization of TiO2 in recent photovoltaic applications, focusing primarily on its role as an optical material. The fundamental properties of TiO2 are reviewed, such as its wide bandgap and unique property of tunable refractive index. Furthermore, various strategies are discussed to harness the fundamental properties of TiO2 to improve light absorption and charge carrier generation within various photovoltaic devices. Overall, the pivotal role of TiO2 as an Earth-abundant and non-critical optical material is highlighted for future advances in the power conversion efficiency and viability of photovoltaic technologies, paving the way for future research and developments aimed at achieving sustainable and cost-effective solar energy conversion.