Browsing by Author "Julies, B."

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Deposition and structural properties of silicon carbide thin films for solar cell applications.
    (University of the Western Cape, 2014) Khoele, Joshua Relebogile; Halindintwali, S.; Julies, B.
    The growth of hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) thin films deposited by Hot- Wire Chemical Vapour Deposition (HWCVD) for solar cell applications has been studied. The films were characterized for structural properties using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy FTIR, Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Raman Spectroscopy (RS). A low temperature of the substrate heater maintained at 280 °C was used in this thesis due to the demand of low-cost solar cells based on cheap substrate that require deposition at such low temperatures. In this thesis, we showed that the structural properties of a-SiC:H films are dependent on the filament temperature and also on the CH4 gas flow rate. It was shown that in non-stoichiometric a-SiC:H, hydrogen content throughout the deposited films varies with depth. An attempt is done in this study to determine, for the first time the absorption strength of the C-Hn bonds in the 950 -1050 cm-1 band of the FTIR spectrum. Real-time ERDA was used to determine the hydrogen kinetics parameters in a single temperature ramp; a model based on the solution of the diffusion equation is used for this effect.
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    Investigations on the characterization of ion implanted hexagonal boran nitride
    (Elsevier, 2013) Aradi, E.; Naidoo, S.R.; Erasmus, R.M.; Julies, B.; Derry, T.E.
    The effect of ion implantation on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is studied herein. We use boron as an ion of choice to introduce radiation damage into h-BN, at fluences ranging from 1 x 10 14–1 x 10 16 ions/cm2 and implantation energy ranges from 40 to 160 keV. The thermal dependence is also investigated by varying the annealing temperature from room temperature to 400°C after implantation. Raman spectroscopy showed Raman active defects one of which is possibly related to the formation of cubic boron nitride nanocrystals (nc-BN) within the implanted range. The relationship of these defect induced Raman active peaks was investigated by varying the implantation parameters. The preliminary Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) results also are reported briefly.
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    Selection and optimization of the seeding procedure prior to the synthesis of Pd-based membranes
    (University of the Western Cape, 2014) Mc Donald, Earl; Halindintwali, S.; Bladergroen, B.J.; Julies, B.
    Pd based membranes are known for their incredible selectivity towards H2. In order for Pd membranes to display high H2 selectivity, a defect free layer of Pd needs to be deposited onto a support. Although various fabrication techniques do exist, many researchers have attempted to produce defect free Pd-based films, using electroless plating. The first step in the preparation technique involves “seeding” of the support structure. Even though these seeds, if well distributed and anchored to the support, are crucial in order to obtain the defect free Pd layer, they hardly ever received attention from the science community. This thesis reports findings on various seeding methods as well as the resulting microstructures of the Pd films formed as a result of the type of seeding method employed. Finally the quality of the membranes using the most promising seeding technique was determined by subjecting the membranes to permeance tests with N2 at both high and low temperatures as well as with H2 at high temperatures.
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    Selection and optimization of the seeding procedure prior to the synthesis of Pd-based membranes
    (University of the Western Cape, 2014) Mc Donald, Earl; Halindintwali, S.; Bladergroen, B.J.; Julies, B.
    Pd based membranes are known for their incredible selectivity towards H2. In order for Pd membranes to display high H2 selectivity, a defect free layer of Pd needs to be deposited onto a support. Although various fabrication techniques do exist, many researchers have attempted to produce defect free Pd-based films, using electroless plating. The first step in the preparation technique involves “seeding” of the support structure. Even though these seeds, if well distributed and anchored to the support, are crucial in order to obtain the defect free Pd layer, they hardly ever received attention from the science community. This thesis reports findings on various seeding methods as well as the resulting microstructures of the Pd films formed as a result of the type of seeding method employed. Finally the quality of the membranes using the most promising seeding technique was determined by subjecting the membranes to permeance tests with N2 at both high and low temperatures as well as with H2 at high temperatures.
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    Synthesis and characterization of Ceria with an optimal oxygen storage capacity as potential medium to remove SO2 from flue gas emissions
    (University of Western Cape, 2013) Andrews, Gary Lyndl; Bladergroen, B.J.; Hallindintwali, S.; Julies, B.
    Due to an increasing demand for energy, alternative renewable energy sources are investigated globally. However fossil fuels are still one of the main energy sources. The combustion of these fuels produces by-products such as SOx, NOx and CO2, which have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Therefore, effective methods are needed to minimize the pollution and affects that these by-products cause. Catalysts are commonly employed to convert these by-products to less harmful and/or resalable products. Ceria and ceria based materials are good candidates for the removal and conversion of SOx and NOx. Ceria and ceria related materials are most effective as catalysts when they are in the nano-form with good crystallinity and nanoparticles that are uniform. The growth of nanoparticles is preceded by a nucleation process which can occur by solid-state restructuring of a gel or precipitation from a saturated solution. The precipitation method was selected to synthesize Ceria nanoparticles. Synthesis conditions such as temperature, solution type and ageing time and their effect on the physical and chemical forms of the Ceria particles were investigated. The morphology and structural properties were investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy was used to investigate the chemical properties. It was found that low temperatures, low base volume and a solvent with a small dielectric constant favor the formation of small crystallites with a relatively large concentration of defects. These defects are desirable since they enhance the catalytic activity of ceria.
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    Synthesis and characterization of Ceria with an optimal oxygen storage capacity as potential medium to remove SO2 from flue gas emissions
    (University of Western Cape, 2013) Andrews, Gary Lyndl; Bladergroen, B.J.; Hallindintwali, S.; Julies, B.
    Due to an increasing demand for energy, alternative renewable energy sources are investigated globally. However fossil fuels are still one of the main energy sources. The combustion of these fuels produces by-products such as SOx, NOx and CO2, which have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Therefore, effective methods are needed to minimize the pollution and affects that these by-products cause. Catalysts are commonly employed to convert these by-products to less harmful and/or resalable products. Ceria and ceria based materials are good candidates for the removal and conversion of SOx and NOx. Ceria and ceria related materials are most effective as catalysts when they are in the nano-form with good crystallinity and nanoparticles that are uniform. The growth of nanoparticles is preceded by a nucleation process which can occur by solid-state restructuring of a gel or precipitation from a saturated solution. The precipitation method was selected to synthesize Ceria nanoparticles. Synthesis conditions such as temperature, solution type and ageing time and their effect on the physical and chemical forms of the Ceria particles were investigated. The morphology and structural properties were investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy was used to investigate the chemical properties. It was found that low temperatures, low base volume and a solvent with a small dielectric constant favor the formation of small crystallites with a relatively large concentration of defects. These defects are desirable since they enhance the catalytic activity of ceria.