Review—A Review of 2D Perovskites and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Applications in Solar Cells and Photodetectors

Abstract

Photonic devices such as solar cells and photodetectors that produce electricity play a vital role in our daily life for applications such as fibre optic communication systems, process control, and also in defence related applications. Today, two-dimensional perovskites that belong to the class of emerging materials show promising energy applications. 2D perovskites have been investigated for their exceptional properties such as high optical absorption coefficients, structural diversity and tuneable bandgaps which allow their application as active light absorbing materials to develop solar cells and photodetectors. Carbon-based nanomaterials have also found applications as transparent electrodes, charge acceptors and photosensitive layers in solar cells and photodetectors due to properties such as excellent electrical conductivity, high optical transparency, high surface area and remarkable mechanical strength. There has been growing interest in research on devices using these materials to improve their feasibility, ease of production and performance. With the growing urgency of switching to alternate sources of energy and increasing demands for highly accurate and fast sensors, the development and application of such novel materials are essential. Hence, the current state of understanding of these materials and their applications in the field of solar cells and photodetectors are summarized in this review article.