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Physics Research Focus

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A: Semiconductor Materials

Research Activities

  • Processing of semiconductor materials.
  • Processing and fabrication of Ohmic and Schottky contacts.
  • Introduction of defects during irradiation.
  • Thin film deposition by electron beam evaporation.
  • Electrical characterisation of the contact materials.
  • Current- voltage (I-V) and Capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements.

ACADEMIC OFFERINGS

Staff Members

SCHOOLS

B: Nano Material

Research Activities

  • Synthesis and characterization using Sol-gel method.
  • Characterization of structural and luminescence properties
  • Study the morphology of the samples using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
  • The structure of the prepared sample is studied using the x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique.
  • The expected elements within the samples are confirmed by elemental energy dispersive (EDS) analysis.
  • The average crystallite size of samples are confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis
  • The absorbance or reflectance of ultra violet or visible light by a sample, either at a single wavelength or perform a scan over a range in spectrum. The optical measurements will be carried-out on the 200 nm to 800 nm wavelength region using Ultra violet visible spectroscopy (UV-vis).

The department uses the services of Electron Microscope Unit

The department uses the services of Electron Microscope Unit for both SEM and TEM (contact Prof Baker chantelle.baker@smu.ac.za  and Dr James Jaime.wesley-smith@smu.ac.za).

 

There are 2 Research associates (Prof SV Motloung and Dr M Kebede) who help in supervision of Postgraduate students.

LATEST PUBLICATIONS

SAPSE accredited journals

2021
  1. T.T. Hlatshwayo,C.E. Maepa, M. Msimanga,M. Mlambo. E.G. Njoroge, V.A. Skuratov, S.V. Motloung, J.B. Malherbe, Helium assisted migration of Silver implanted into SiC, Vacuum 183 (2021) 109865.
  2. Lehlohonolo F.Koao, Setumo V. Motloung, Jaime Wesley-Smith,Tshwafo E.Motaung, Malevu. D. Thembinkosi,P. Pawade, Fekadu G. Hone; The influence of annealing temperature on the structure and optical properties of Gd2Zr2O7 nanostructures prepared by chemical bath deposition method, Journal of Alloys and Compounds 863 (2021) 158367.
  3. Samson Masulubanye Mohomane, Setumo Victor Motloung, Lehlohonolo Fortune Koao, Tshwafo Elias Motaung; The influence of annealing temperature on the structure and optical properties of Gd2Zr2O7nanostructures prepared by chemical bath deposition method, Journal of Alloys and Compounds863 (2021) 158367.
  4. D. D. Hile, H. C. Swart, S. V. Motloung, T. E. Motaung, R. E. Kroon, K. O. Egbo, V. B. Pawade, L. F. Koao; Synthesis and characterization of europium doped zinc selenide thin films prepared by photo-assisted chemical bath technique for luminescence application, Materials Chemistry and Physics(2021) 262 124303.
2020
  1. Dlamini, M. R. Mhlongo, L. F. Koao, T. E. Motaung, T. T. Hlatshwayo, S. V. Motloung, The effects of varying the annealing period on the structure, morphology and optical properties of MgAl2O4:0.1% Mn2+ nanophosphors, Applied Physics A 126 (2020) 75
  2. R. Mhlongo, L.F. Koao, R.E. Kroon, S.V. Motloung, Investigative study of Mn2+ concentration on the structure, morphology and photoluminescence of sol-gel ZnAl2O4/ZnO/ SrAl2O4/Sr3Al2O6 mixed phase nanophosphor. Physica B 578 (2020) 411746.
  3. M. Maphiri, Y. Dwivedi, L. F. Koao, R. E. Kroon, S. V. Motloung, Analysis of varying Gd3+ concentrations on the structure and optical properties of ZnAl2O4:0.1% Eu3+;x% Gd3+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.2) synthesized via citrate sol–gel method. Applied Physics A 126 (2020) 73
  4. A. Malimabe, S. V. Motloung, T. E. Motaung, L. F. Koao, Effects of Eu3+ co-doping on the structural and optical properties of Ce3+ doped ZnO powder synthesized by chemical bath deposition method. Physica B 579 (2020) 411890
  5. A. Malimabe, B.F. Dejene, H.C. Swart, S.V. Motloung, T.E. Motaung, L.F. Koao, Characterization of the incorporated ZnO doped and co-doped with Ce3+ and Eu3+ nanophosphor powders into PVC polymer matrix Journal of Molecular Structure 1202 (2020) 127339
  6. G. Moji, R.E. Kroon, S.V. Motloung, T.E. Motaung, I. Ahemen, L.F. Koao, Color tuning and white light emission from sol-gel SiO2 nanoparticles doped with Sr2+. Materials Chemistry and Physics 242 (2020) 122409
  7. D. Hile, H.C. Swart, S.V. Motloung, T.E. Motaung, K.O. Egbo L.F. Koao, Effect of hydrazine hydrate as complexing agent in the synthesis of zinc selenide thin films by chemical bath deposition, Thin Solid Films 693 (2020) 137707
  8. D. Hile, H.C. Swart, S.V. Motloung, V.B. Pawade, R.E. Kroon, K.O. Egbo, L.F. Koao, Phase transformation on zinc selenide thin films deposited by photo-assisted chemical bath method: The effect of annealing temperature, Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing 115 (2020) 105118
  9. T. Hlatshwayo, N. Mtshonisi, E.G. Njoroge, M. Mlambo, M. Msimanga, V.A. Skuratov, J. H. O’Connell, J.B. Malherbe, S.V. Motloung, Effects of Ag and Sr dual ions implanted into SiC, Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research B 472 (2020) 7–13
  10. P. Mpanza, T. D. Malevu, L. F. Koao, S. V. Motloung, T. E. Motaung, Transformation from Anatase to Rutile Titania Using Hydrothermal Method: Investigation of Morphology and Thermal Stability. Sensors and Materials, (32) 4 (2020) 1511–1522
  11. Rashmi, V. Motloung, Mohan Singh Mehata, Y. Dwivedi, Bright red emission from doubly doped YAG:Pr/Sm nanophosphor and color modulation. Optical Materials 107 (2020) 110106
  12. M. Maphiri, M.R. Mhlongo, T.T. Hlatshwayo, T.E. Motaung, L.F. Koao, S. V. Motloung, Citrate sol-gel synthesis of BaAl2O4:x% Cu2+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) nano-phosphors: Structural, morphological and photoluminescence properties. Optical Materials 109 (2020) 110244
  13. N. Mphelane, M.R. Mhlongo, T.E. Motaung, L. F. Koao, T.T. Hlatshwayo, S.V Motloung, Effects of annealing temperature on the structure and photoluminescence properties of the ZnO/ZnAl2O4/Ca5Al6O14/Ca3Al4ZnO10:0.1% Ce3+ mixed‑phases nanophosphor prepared by citrate sol–gel process. Applied Physics A 126 (2020) 821.
  14. G. Moji, R.E. Kroon, S.V. Motloung, T.E. Motaung, L.F. Koao, Morpholoy, structural and luminescent properties of sol-gel synthesized SiO2 powders co-doped with Sr2+ and Tb3+, Physica B 580 (2020) 411817.
  15. D. Hile, H.C. Swart, S.V. Motloung, R.E. Kroon, K.O. Egbo, L.F. Koao, The effect of annealing time on zinc selenide thin films deposited by photo-assisted chemical bath deposition, Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 140 (2020) 109381.
  16. Dlamini, M.R. Mhlongo, L.F. Koao, T.E. Motaung, T.T. Hlatshwayo, Y. Dwivedi, S.V. Motloung, Effects of Er3+ concentration on the structure and optical properties of the MgAl2O4/MgO/Sr3Al2O6/SrAl2O4 mixed phases prepared by the citrate sol gel method. Materials Research Express 7 (2020) 106302.
2019
  1. E. Sithole. Depth dose enhancement in the presence of silicone gel breast prosthesis. International Journal of Radiation Research, 17(3) (2019) 431-438.
  2. M. Maphiri, J. Wesley-Smith, S.V. Motloung. Phase transition and optical properties of Ba1-xZnxAl2O4:0.1% Eu3+ prepared via citrate sol-gel method. Journal of Luminescence 215 (2019) 116710.
  3. T. Melato, O.M. Ntwaeaborwa, R.E. Kroon, T.E. Motaung, S.V. Motloung. Effect of Ho3+ concentration on the structure, morphology and optical properties of Ba0.5Mg0.5Al2O4 nanophosphor. Journal of Molecular Structure 1176 (2019) 217-225.
  4. T. Melato, L.F. Koao, T.E. Motaung, H.C. Swart, S.V. Motloung. Effect of annealing temperature on the structure, morphology and photoluminescence properties of MgAl2O4:0.1% Eu3+ nanophosphor prepared by sol-gel method, Journal of Electronic Materials 48 (2019) 494-509.
  5. R. Mhlongo, L.F. Koao, R.E. Kroon, T.E. Motaung, S.V. Motloung. Effects of annealing period on the structure and photoluminescence of the mixed phases ZnAl2O4/ZnO/SrAl2O4/Sr3Al2O6:0.025% Tb3+ nanophosphor synthesized by sol-gel technique. Journal of Molecular Structure 1184 (2019) 92-101.
  6. R. Mhlongo, L.F. Koao, T.E Motaung, R.E. Kroon, S.V. Motloung. Analysis of Nd3+ concentration on the structure, morphology and photoluminescence of sol-gel Sr3ZnAl2O7 nanophosphor. Results in Physics 12 (2019) 1786–1796.
  7. Setumo Victor Motloung. Effects of In3+ doping concentration on the structural, morphological and photoluminescence properties of x% In3+:MgAl2O4 nanophosphor prepared via citrate sol-gel method, Material Research Express 6 (2019) 116327.
  8. V. Motloung, K.G. Tshabalala, R.E. Kroon, T.T. Hlatshwayo, M. Mlambo, S. Mpelane. Effect of Tb3+ concentration on the structure and optical properties of triply doped ZnAl2O4:1% Ce3+,1% Eu3+,x% Tb3+ nano-phosphors synthesized via citrate sol-gel method. Journal of Molecular Structure 1175 (2019) 241-252.
  1. V. Motloung, T.E. Motaung, T.T. Hlatshwayo, L.F. Koao, T.D. Malevu, S. Mpelane Associated aspects on structure, morphology and photoluminescence of MgAl2O4:x% Gd3+ nanophosphor prepared via citrate sol-gel method, Journal of Electronic Materials 48 (2019) 3947-3957.
  1. Tshwafo Motaung, Teboho Mokhena, Setumo Motloung, Ella Linganiso, Linda Linganiso. Effect of mechanical treatment of sugar cane bagasse on properties of poly(ethylene oxide), International Journal of Plastics Technology 23 (1) (2019) 12-19.
  2. Samson Mohomane, Linda Linganiso, Sandile P. Songca, Setumo V. Motloung, Lehlohonolo Koao, Tshwafo Motaung. Comparison of alkali treated sugarcane bagasse and softwood cellulose/polypropylene composites, Plastics, Rubber and Composites 48 (2019) 401-409.
  3. D. Hile, H.C. Swart, S.V. Motloung, T.E. Motaung, K.O. Egbo, L.F.Koao, Comparative study of photo- and non-photo-assisted chemical bath deposition of Zinc Selenide thin films using different volumes of hydrazine hydrate, Superlattices and Microstructures 134 (2019) 106222.
  4. F. Mokgadi, M.J. Madito, M. Mlambo, V.A. Skuratov, S.V. Motloung, T.T. Hlatshwayo Slow and swift heavy ions irradiation of zirconium nitride (ZrN) and the migration behaviour of implanted Eu, Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research B 461 (2019) 63-69
  1. Donald Dehiin Hile, Hendrik C. Swart, Setumo Victor Motloung, Tshwafo E. Motaung, Lehlohonolo Fortune Koao. Structural, morphological and optical studies of zinc selenide (ZnSe) thin films synthesized at different deposition time intervals using photo-assisted chemical bath deposition technique, Physica B 575 (2019) 411706.
  2. Silungile H. Ngceza, Linda Z. Linganiso, Setumo V. Motloung, Lehlohonolo F. Koao, Ella C. Linganiso, Tshwafo E. Motaung. The effect of silver salts on the properties of sugarcane bagasse cellulose, Wood Research 64 (6) (2019) 957-964.
2017
  1. V. Motloung, F. B. Dejene, L. F. Koao, O. M. Ntwaeaborwa, H. C. Swart, T. E. Motaung, O. M. Ndwandwe, Optical Materials 64 (2017) 26-32.
  2. V. Motloung, F. B. Dejene, R. E. Kroon, O. M. Ntwaeaborwa, H. C. Swart, T. E. Motaung, Optik 131 (2017) 705-712.
  3. T. Melato, T. E. Motaung, O. M. Ntwaeaborwa,S. V. Motloung, Optical Material 66 (2017) 319-326.
  4. V. Motloung, B. F. Dejene, O. M. Ntwaeaborwa, H. C. Swart, R. E. Kroon,  Chemical Physics (2017)  doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemphys.2017.02.009
  5. V. Motloung, B.F. Dejene, O.M. Ntwaeaborwa, H.C. Swart, R.E. Kroon, Chemical Physics (2017), doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ j.chemphys.2017.02.009.
2016
  1. M. J. Hato, T. E. Motaung,S. V. Motloung, L. F. Koao, Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites 0 (0) (2016) 1-10.
  2. S. V. Motloung, M. Tsega, F. B. Dejene, H. C. Swart, O. M. Ntwaeaborwa, L. F. Koao, T. E. Motaung, M. J. Hato, Journal of Alloys and Compounds 677 (2016) 72-79.
  3. S. V. Motloung, F. B. Dejene, M. E. Sithole, L. F. Koao, O. M. Ntwaeaborwa, H. C. Swart, T. E. Motaung, Journal of Electronic Materials 45 (10) (2016) 4796-4805.
  4. Lehlohonolo F. Koao, Birhanu F. Dejene, Hendrik C. Swart,Setumo V. Motloung, Tshwafo E. Motaung, Shanganyane P. Hlangothi, Adv. Mater. Lett. 2016, 7 (7), 529-535.
  5. F. Koao, B. F. Dejene, H. C. Swart,S. V. Motloung, T. E. Motaung, Optical Materials 60 (2016) 294-304.
  6. Nyathi,M.E Sithole.International Journal of Electrical and Computer Sciences. 2016; 16(5): 28-32.
  7. KM Mampana, SM Seeletse,EM Sithole. Problems and Perspectives in Management 2016; 14(1): 117-126.
  8. M Nyathi,E Sithole, O Ramafi. Iran J Nucl Med. 2016; 24(2): 114-119.
  9. Nyathi,M.E. Sithole. International Journal of Electrical and Computer Sciences. 2016; 16(5): 1-9.

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