Dr. Allen Chaparadza

Physical Chemistry

Teaching

• General Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry I and Physical Chemistry I Lab
• Physical Chemistry II and Physical Chemistry I Lab

Research Overview

Technological devices are often based on solid materials that have certain chemical, physical or electronic properties that give them the ability to function as intended. Property optimization for device improvement is aided by understanding the origin of behavior underlying the property, which is often related to the material’s composition. Our group is involved in basic research that addresses fundamental issues and challenges affecting materials use in chemical sensors, environmental remediation, biomaterials, and metal matrix nanocomposites for structural reinforcement. Current research interests include:

• Photoelectrical CO₂ fixing using oxide-based photodiodes
• Nanostructured materials for Biomedical Imaging
• Development of photo reactive semiconductor oxides for anti-biological /chemical decontamination applications
• Development of sensors for metal ions detection
• Metal matrix nanocomposites for structural reinforcement

Publications

• Munjanja B., Chaparadza A., Majoni S., Biopesticides Residues in Foodstuffs in Handbook of Biopesticides, Editors: Leo M L Nollet Leo M. L. and Rathore H.S., CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, 2015 ISBN 9781466596528, pp 71 – 92.
• Gwenzi W., Musarurwa T., Nyamugafata P., Chaukura N., Chaparadza A., Mbera S., Adsorption of Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ in a binary aqueous solution by biosorbents derived from sawdust and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Water Science and Technology, 2014, 70 No 8, pp 1419–1427.
• Chaparadza A., Rananavare S.B and Tran H. Doped Tin Oxide Based Gas Sensors. In Oxide Nanostructures: Growth, Microstructures and Properties, Editor: Srivastava A.K., Pan Stanford Publishing, 2014, ISBN-10: 9814411353, pp 201-216.
• Chaparadza A. and Hossenlopp J.M., Removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by calcined Zn–Al–Zr layered double hydroxide, Journal of Colloids and Interface Science, 2011, 363, 92-97.
• Chaparadza A. and Hossenlopp J.M., Adsorption Kinetics, Isotherms and Thermodynamics of Atrazine Removal using a Banana Peel based Sorbent, Water Science and Technology, 2011, 65 940–947.
•  Chaparadza A. and Rananavare S.B., Towards p-type conductivity in SnO₂ nanocrystals through Li doping. Nanotechnology, 2010, 21, 035708
• Chaparadza A. and Rananavare S.B, Room temperature Cl₂ sensing using thick film Sb doped SnO₂. Nanotechnology, 2008, 19, 245501. This work was featured at the IOP (Institute of Physics) web site: http://nanotechweb.org/cws/article/tech/34537;jsessionid=FD9A40583319F23DEA67813E3DA5C67 1
• Chaparadza A., Rananavare S. B. and Shutthanandan. V., Synthesis and characterization of Lithium-doped SnO₂ nanocrystalline powders, Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2007,102, 176. This work was featured among the Top 25 hottest articles at the Science Direct website.