Binary Oxide Ceramics (TiO₂, ZnO, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, CeO₂, Fe₂O₃, WO₃) for Solar Cell Applications: A Comparative and Bibliometric Analysis

Binary oxide ceramics have emerged as key materials in solar energy research due to their versatility, chemical stability, and tunable electronic properties. This study presents a comparative analysis of seven prominent oxides (TiO₂, ZnO, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, CeO₂, Fe₂O₃, and WO₃), focusing on their functional roles in silicon, perovskite, dye-sensitized, and thin-film solar cells. A bibliometric analysis covering over 50,000 publications highlights TiO₂ and ZnO as the most widely studied materials, serving as electron transport layers, antireflective coatings, and buffer layers. Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ demonstrate highly specialized applications in surface passivation and interface engineering, while CeO₂ offers UV-blocking capability and Fe₂O₃ shows potential as an absorber material in photoelectrochemical systems. WO₃ is noted for its multifunctionality and suitability for scalable, high-rate processing. Together, these findings suggest that binary oxide ceramics are poised to transition from supporting roles to essential components of stable, efficient, and environmentally safer next-generation solar cells.