Speaker
Mrs
Moipone Alice Malimabe
(University of the Free State (Qwaqwa))
Description
Luminescent nanoparticles are used in many fields of applications, such as bio-imaging, nano-sensors as well as in light emitting diodes. Nanoparticles of ZnO and Ce3+ doped ZnO co-doped with Eu3+ are synthesized by the chemical bath deposition method and then embedded in polymer matrixes of PVC, PCL and a PVC-PCL blend via the solution casting method. The optical properties of these polymer based Ce3+ doped ZnO co-doped with different concentrations (x %) Eu3+ nanomaterials were studied. Parameters such as transmittance, absorption coefficient and energy band gap were determined by employing the Tauc’s plot. UV-Vis spectra of the polymer films showed a slight decrease in the band gap energy when Ce3+ doped ZnO co-doped with various amounts of Eu3+ nano-powders were dispersed through the polymer matrix. Scanning electron microscope showed that ZnO nanoparticles were found to spread more homogeneously in the PVC-PCL blend matrix than though the matrix of the unit polymers of PVC or PCL. The photoluminescence results showed polymer films exhibited a luminescence band around 444 nm. Eu3+ in the co-doped nanoparticles brought about an increase in the luminescent intensity of the polymer films at excitations around 252, 286 and 326 nm. Further increase in intensity was found when the PVC-PCL blend matrix was used. This increase is attributed to the effective interaction between the nanoparticles of Ce3+ doped ZnO co-doped with x % of Eu3+ and the PVC-PCL blend matrix.
Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> award (Yes / No)?
No
Level for award<br> (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD, N/A)?
PhD
Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?
Yes
Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution
Dr Lehlohonolo F Koao, email: koaolf@ufs.ac.za, University of the Free State (Qwaqwa Campus), Department of Physics
Primary author
Mrs
Moipone Alice Malimabe
(University of the Free State (Qwaqwa))
Co-authors
Prof.
Hendrik Swart
(University of the Free state)
Dr
Jeremia Sefadi
(Sol Plaatje University)
Prof.
Karel Von Eschwege
(University of the Free State)
Dr
Lehlohonolo F Koao
(University of the Free State (Qwaqwa))
