Inorganic cesium lead bromoiodide based planar perovskite solar cells with ZnO electron transport layers are deposited using one step spin coating.

The development of cost-effective, functional materials that can be efficiently used for sustainable energy generation is highly desirable. Herein, a new molecular precursor of bismuth (tris(selenobenzoato)bismuth(III), [Bi(SeOCPh) 3 ]), has been used to prepare selectively Bi or Bi 2 Se 3 nanosheets via a colloidal route by the judicious control of the reaction parameters. The Bi formation mechanism was investigated, and it was observed that the trioctylphosphine (TOP) plays a crucial role in the formation of Bi. Employing the vapor deposition method resulted in the formation of exclusively Bi 2 Se 3 films at different temperatures. The synthesized nanomaterials and films were characterized by p-XRD, TEM, Raman, SEM, EDX, AFM, XPS, and UV–vis spectroscopy. A minimum sheet thickness of 3.6 nm (i.e., a thickness of 8–9 layers) was observed for bismuth, whereas a thickness of 4 nm (i.e., a thickness of 4 layers) was observed for Bi 2 Se 3 nanosheets. XPS showed surface oxidation of both materials and indicated an uncapped surface of Bi, whereas Bi 2 Se 3 had a capping layer of oleylamine, resulting in reduced surface oxidation. The potential of Bi and Bi 2 Se 3 nanosheets was tested for overall water-splitting application. The OER and HER catalytic performances of Bi 2 Se 3 indicate overpotentials of 385 mV at 10 mA cm –2 and 220 mV, with Tafel slopes of 122 and 178 mV dec –1 , respectively. In comparison, Bi showed a much lower OER activity (506 mV at 10 mA cm –2 ) but a slightly better HER (214 mV at 10 mA cm –2 ) performance. Similarly, Bi 2 Se 3 nanosheets were observed to exhibit cathodic photocurrent in photoelectrocatalytic activity, which indicated their p-type behavior.

In an era of unprecedented urbanization, population and industrial growth pressure is serious threat for the water management in Pakistan in present days. Water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff limited natural fresh water resources in the country. Human health is facing serious problems due to deteriorating drinking water quality. Current review paper provides an insight to the water quality problems in Pakistan with an attempt to emphasize the challenges of water laws enforcement. Although Pakistan has developed many water laws the state of implementation is dominant, intermediate pollution crises are still remaining. We could come to the conclusion that strictly enforcement is compulsory for water environment regulations in Pakistan. Moreover, it is necessary to establish a reliable risk assessment system for water quality, human health and ecological safety.

Resolution of resources and environmental crises requires an efficient separation technologies, consequently, scientists and engineers are working vigorously for ideal separation materials. Laminar graphene oxide (GO) is a two-dimensional (2D) material offers considerable interest in this field due to its single atomic layer thickness, good stability, chemical inertness, and variety of functional groups. Recently, GO have emerged as a novel membrane material for molecular and ionic separation of gases, solvent, water, and desalination applications. This tutorial review aims to discuss the various approaches used to control the stacking of GO-based membrane with emphasis of advantages and drawbacks associated with each approach. Further, attention will also be given to describe the recent progress in GO based membranes for ionic and molecular separations. Meanwhile, challenges and opportunities will also be discussed in detail. We hope this review expected to provide a compact source of information that will be of great interest to chemists, material scientists, physicists, and engineers working or planning to work in GO based membranes for separation applications.

N. (2018). Novel single source precursor for synthesis of Sb2Se3 nanorods and deposition of thin films by AACVD: Photo-electrochemical study for water reduction catalysis. Solar Energy, 169, 526-534. https://doi. AbstractA new complex, tris(selenobenzoato)antimony(III) has been synthesized by a facile route and the structure determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The complex was used as a single source precursor to synthesize Sb 2 Se 3 nanorods by the hot injection method whereas Sb 2 Se 3 thin films were deposited on glass substrates by the Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (AACVD) technique. The as synthesized nanorods and thin films were then characterized by powder x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Raman and UV/Vis spectroscopy. AACVD of the complex produced highly crystalline and pure Sb 2 Se 3 thin films between 400-500 °C. The shape of Sb 2 Se 3 crystallites are generally in the form of wires or thin plates, sometimes forming leaflike structures uniformly spread on the entire substrate. The size and shape of these crystallites with their stoichiometry was found to be dependent on the deposition temperature. Sb 2 Se 3 nanorods were tested for photo-electrochemical (PEC) water reduction catalysis. When simulated solar light was illuminated at the Sb 2 Se 3 /FTO surface, cathodic photocurrents were generated for H 2 generation. At open circuit potential (OCP) photo-cathodic current generated with the Sb 2 Se 3 /FTO electrode was in the range of -44.8 to -52.1 μA.cm -2 .

A new organo-tin complex has been synthesized and used as a single source precursor for the synthesis of SnSe nanosheets by the hot injection method and thin films by the aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) method. The films were deposited on glass substrates at three different temperatures. The textural quality and preferential growth were found to be significantly altered by changes in the deposition temperature. Oleylamine capped nanosheets and the as-deposited thin films by AACVD were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD) and microscopic techniques. The thin films were also studied by Raman spectroscopy. The stoichiometry is marginally affected by temperature, and all films were slightly selenium deficient. The synthesized material was also evaluated for the photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting of water. The PEC study revealed the bifunctional nature of the material, which can be applied for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), by switching the applied potential.

In this study, a facile and potentially scalable synthesis of AgBiS2 (schapbachite) using melts of metal xanthates is presented; AgBiS2 is both a significant mineral and a technologically important material.

To achieve a material with pure phase and crystallinity, the use of antisolvents is found to be crucial. Herein, we report the synthesis of phase‐pure CsPbBr2I microcrystals with defined morphologies by using trioctylphosphine (TOP) as an antisolvent and capping agent. The as‐prepared inorganic perovskite has enhanced thermal stability and promising optical properties, displaying a band gap of 2.2 eV. The photoluminescence (PL) studies suggest high sensitivity of the as‐prepared inorganic perovskites against nitrophenols, which makes them a potential candidate for the detection of nitrophenol.