Trace metal speciation trends in Mazowe dam, Zimbabwe, a typical sub-tropical dam ecosystem impacted by gold mining and agriculture.

The present study aimed to assess trace metal speciation trends in the water and sediments of Mazowe Dam, a typical sub-tropical dam ecosystem impacted by gold mining and agriculture in Zimbabwe. The elements studied include Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Elemental speciation in the water column was determined using Visual MINTEQ version 3.

Dynamics of reduced graphene oxide: synthesis and structural models.

Technological advancements are leading to an upsurge in demand for functional materials that satisfy several of humankind's needs. In addition to this, the current global drive is to develop materials with high efficacy in intended applications whilst practising green chemistry principles to ensure sustainability. Carbon-based materials, such as reduced graphene oxide (RGO), in particular, can possibly meet this criterion because they can be derived from waste biomass (a renewable material), possibly synthesised at low temperatures without the use of hazardous chemicals, and are biodegradable (owing to their organic nature), among other characteristics.

A review of graphene derivative enhancers for perovskite solar cells.

Due to the finite nature, health and environmental hazards currently associated with the use of fossil energy resources, there is a global drive to hasten the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies. One such area encompasses perovskite solar cells (PSCs) that have shown photoconversion efficiencies (PCE) comparable to silicon-based photovoltaics, but their commercialisation has been set back by short-term stability and toxicity issues, among others. A tremendous potential to overcome these drawbacks is presented by the emerging applications of graphene derivative-based materials in PSCs as substitutes or components, composites with other functional materials, and enhancers of charge transport, blocking action, exciton dissociation, substrate coverage, sensitisation and stabilisation.

Recent Applications of Carbon Nanotubes in Organic Solar Cells.

In recent years, carbon-based materials, particularly carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have gained intensive research attention in the fabrication of organic solar cells (OSCs) due to their outstanding physicochemical properties, low-cost, environmental friendliness and the natural abundance of carbon. In this regard, the low sheet resistance and high optical transmittance of CNTs enables their application as alternative anodes to the widely used indium tin oxide (ITO), which is toxic, expensive and scarce. Also, the synergy between the large specific surface area and high electrical conductivity of CNTs provides both large donor-acceptor interfaces and conductive interpenetrating networks for exciton dissociation and charge carrier transport.