Abstract: Nanocomposite thin films provide a versatile route for improving solar-energy harvesting by combining the optical, electrical, interfacial, and mechanical properties of a host ma-trix with those of nanoscale functional materials. This paper presents a literature-based research framework for the design of nanocomposite thin films intended for photovoltaic and solar-thermal applications. Particular attention is given to semiconductor nanoparticles, metal oxides, carbon nanomaterials, quantum dots, conducting polymers, and hybrid organic–inorganic architectures. The mechanisms responsible for enhanced performance are discussed in terms of broadband absorption, light scattering and trapping, interfacial charge transfer, defect passivation, exciton dissociation, carrier transport, down-conversion, and surface pro-tection. Deposition routes including spin coating, sol–gel processing, spray coating, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, pulsed-laser techniques, and solution-based processing are compared. The paper also proposes a systematic experimental methodology in which nanoparticle loading, film thickness, annealing temperature, and interfacial structure are treated as controlled variables. Optical, structural, morphological, electrical, and pho-tovoltaic measurements are linked through quantitative relations for absorption coefficient, optical band gap, refractive index, sheet resistance, carrier transport, and power-conversion efficiency. A materials-selection matrix and a proposed optimization strategy are presented to guide future laboratory studies. The review indicates that the most promising nanocomposite architectures are those that simultaneously improve light management and charge extraction without introducing excessive recombination, parasitic absorption, roughness, or processing complexity. The study therefore establishes a practical framework for developing low-cost, scalable, and stable nanocomposite thin films for next-generation solar-energy harvesting.
Keywords: nanocomposite thin films; solar energy harvesting; photovoltaic devices; nanoparti-cles; thin-film solar cells; optical absorption; charge transport; quantum dots; carbon nanomate-rials; light trapping.
Title: Nanocomposite Thin Films for Enhanced Solar Energy Harvesting: Materials, Mechanisms, Fabrication, Characterization and Perspectives
Author: Dr. A.Sujala Swapna Smitha, Dr. G. Suresh Babu
International Journal of Novel Research in Physics Chemistry & Mathematics
ISSN 2394-9651
Vol. 13, Issue 3, September 2026 - December 2026
Page No: 31-42
Novelty Journals
Website: www.noveltyjournals.com
Published Date: 15-October-2026
