Research Progress of p-type Cuprous Oxide in the Field of Light Energy Utilization

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O), as a representative intrinsic p-type inorganic semiconductor material, has been widely used in the field of optical energy utilization, such as photovoltaic, photocatalysis, photodegradation and other fields, and has an extremely important position. For a long time, the literature on Cu2O’s application technology in the field of light energy utilization is relatively scattered and independent, resulting in a certain degree of obstacles and difficulties to obtain relevant technical knowledge and have a deep understanding of its internal principles. According to the application of Cu2O in the field of light energy utilization in recent years, it is mainly divided into three modules (photovoltaic, photocatalysis, photodegradation), and mainly summarizes the classification, principle and characteristics of Cu2O application in the field of light energy and prospects the optimization method and development direction of the application in the field of Cu2O light energy. This review aims to provide reference and guidance for the optical energy applications of Cu2O and other related inorganic oxide semiconductors.