L. Kotsedi

Synthesis and Characterization Studies of Pb:Zr:/O2 Nanorods for Optoelectronic Applications

Synthesis and Characterization Studies of Pb:Zr:/O2 Nanorods for Optoelectronic Applications In the present work, we have synthesized ZrO2 doped PbO2 nanocrystals were successfully prepared by hydrothermal method which is Zirconium nitrate hydrate (Zr(NO3)4.5H2O) and lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) were used as a precursor. In the experimental results show that the amount of Iodine (I) and the NaOH concentration plays a important roles in the formation of hexagonal defined amount of ethylene glycol at 900 °C within 21 hrs. In the physiochemical properties of Zr doped lead oxide nanorod were determined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM). In Zr doped Pb oxide nanorods were the highest photon activity under both UV and visible light irradiation.

Porphyrin nanorods-polymer composites for solar radiation harvesting applications

The interest in exploring porphyrin-based nanostructures for artificial solar radiation harvesting stems from their structural similarity to chlorophylls. In nature, the precise organization and orientation of the chlorophylls result in efficient absorption of light energy. Inspired by these naturally occurring architectures relevant optical studies including the dynamics of intermolecular and intra-molecular processes of the porphyrin nanorods were investigated. The design of artificial light harvesting systems requires several key factors, such as absorption in the UV-visible and near-infrared wavelengths, energy transfer ability and the selection of light absorbing pigments. Another key factor is the organizational structure through which the components will interact. We attempted to accomplish this by incorporating porphyrin nanorods into polymer matrices and this will also aid in achieving an arrangement where they can be directly used as devices. The nanorods were embedded in a polymeric matrix, using latex technology and electrospinning which gave the possibility of investigating the orientation of nanorods in the polymer. Spectroscopic and microscopic studies were conducted to investigate the optical and morphological properties of the porphyrin nanorods-polymer composites for applications in artificial solar radiation harvesting systems.

Strain in Vanadium Thin Film due Nanosecond Laser Treatment

Strain in Vanadium Thin Film due Nanosecond Laser Treatment A thin coating of vanadium was grown on a glass substrate using vacuum coating technique. Piezoelectric thickness monitor was used to measure the thickness of the deposited coatings in-situ. The vanadium layer was then treated with a nanosecond pulsed fiber laser source in ambient conditions, and this resulted in the surface cracking due to heat dissipation from the laser. The density of cracks was observed to increase in a direct proportion to the laser fluence. The increase in the density of the cracks was accompanied by the surface modification of the of the vanadium layer as observed in the high-resolution scanning electron microscope. At higher laser fluence there are pinholes forming on the surface of the laser, and this is due to the laser punching and taking place at those experimental conditions.