A Boubaker Polynomials Expansion Scheme (BPES)-related study of metal-oxides functional materials conjoint roughness–hardness properties

In this note, we are concerned with some metal-oxides mechanical and structural properties. Until a recent date, the main properties that guide the choice of metal-oxides functional materials in PV cells fabrication domain have been restricted to classical ones (Bandgap, electric resistivity, transmission–reflection spectra …). Recently a great attention has been paid to mechanical and structural performances as a new trend. Hardness measurements have been carried out on different MOx-type oxides. Additional investigations on a particular photovoltaic (PV) functional material: the tungsten trioxide (WO3) have been presented. The results revealed that annealing treatment enhances drastically the mechanical resistance to frontal penetrating solicitation (Hv hardness), without changing the initial opto-thermal performance.