Contrasting architecture of key African and Australian savanna tree taxa drives intercontinental structural divergence
- Moncrieff, Glenn R, Lehmann, Caroline E, Schnitzler, Jan, Gambiza, James, Hiernaux, Pierre, Ryan, Casey M, Shackleton, Charlie M, Williams, Richard J, Higgins, Steven I
- Authors: Moncrieff, Glenn R , Lehmann, Caroline E , Schnitzler, Jan , Gambiza, James , Hiernaux, Pierre , Ryan, Casey M , Shackleton, Charlie M , Williams, Richard J , Higgins, Steven I
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180919 , vital:43670 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12205"
- Description: We examined differences in the architecture of African and Australian savanna trees. We sought to attribute variation in tree architecture to current environments, wood density and phylogeny, and thereby elucidate the relative importance of biogeographic idiosyncrasies versus current factors in underpinning architectural differences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Moncrieff, Glenn R , Lehmann, Caroline E , Schnitzler, Jan , Gambiza, James , Hiernaux, Pierre , Ryan, Casey M , Shackleton, Charlie M , Williams, Richard J , Higgins, Steven I
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180919 , vital:43670 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12205"
- Description: We examined differences in the architecture of African and Australian savanna trees. We sought to attribute variation in tree architecture to current environments, wood density and phylogeny, and thereby elucidate the relative importance of biogeographic idiosyncrasies versus current factors in underpinning architectural differences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Critical realist versus mainstream interdisciplinarity
- Authors: Price, Leigh
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391143 , vital:68624 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1179/1476743013Z.00000000019"
- Description: In this paper I argue for the superiority of a critical realist understanding of interdisciplinarity over a mainstream understanding of it. I begin by exploring the reasons for the failure of mainstream researchers to achieve interdisciplinarity. My main argument is that mainstream interdisciplinary researchers tend to hypostatize facts, fetishize constant conjunctions of events and apply to open systems an epistemology designed for closed systems. I also explain how mainstream interdisciplinarity supports oppression and gross inequality. I argue that mainstream interdisciplinarity is not true interdisciplinarity and refer to it accordingly as ‘condisciplinarity’. By way of example, I examine the condisciplinarity of the World Health Organization’s ecological model applied to the issue of men’s violence against women. Specifically, I argue that critical realist interdisciplinarity is preferable because it acknowledges inter alia the empirical, actual and real layers of reality, which allows it to develop depth-explanations of phenomena. In practice, this means that critical realist interdisciplinarity can potentially provide explanations that, compared to condisciplinarity, are broader (include more of the human and non-human context) and deeper (include for example individuals’ conscious and unconscious psychological motivations). In the World Health Organization’s example of the causes of men’s violence against women, condisciplinarity resulted in the absence of historical, global and unconscious aspects of the problem. It is also restricted the analysis to reductive, constant-conjunction based theories of the causes of the problem, specifically ‘risk factors’, thereby providing a relatively shallow explanation for the problem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Price, Leigh
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391143 , vital:68624 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1179/1476743013Z.00000000019"
- Description: In this paper I argue for the superiority of a critical realist understanding of interdisciplinarity over a mainstream understanding of it. I begin by exploring the reasons for the failure of mainstream researchers to achieve interdisciplinarity. My main argument is that mainstream interdisciplinary researchers tend to hypostatize facts, fetishize constant conjunctions of events and apply to open systems an epistemology designed for closed systems. I also explain how mainstream interdisciplinarity supports oppression and gross inequality. I argue that mainstream interdisciplinarity is not true interdisciplinarity and refer to it accordingly as ‘condisciplinarity’. By way of example, I examine the condisciplinarity of the World Health Organization’s ecological model applied to the issue of men’s violence against women. Specifically, I argue that critical realist interdisciplinarity is preferable because it acknowledges inter alia the empirical, actual and real layers of reality, which allows it to develop depth-explanations of phenomena. In practice, this means that critical realist interdisciplinarity can potentially provide explanations that, compared to condisciplinarity, are broader (include more of the human and non-human context) and deeper (include for example individuals’ conscious and unconscious psychological motivations). In the World Health Organization’s example of the causes of men’s violence against women, condisciplinarity resulted in the absence of historical, global and unconscious aspects of the problem. It is also restricted the analysis to reductive, constant-conjunction based theories of the causes of the problem, specifically ‘risk factors’, thereby providing a relatively shallow explanation for the problem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Development of Graphene/CdSe Quantum Dots‐Co Phthalocyanine Nanocomposite for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
- Nyoni, Stephen, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nyoni, Stephen , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189944 , vital:44950 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.201400372"
- Description: Nanocomposites containing CdSe quantum dots, tetra(4-(4,6-diaminopyrimidin-2-ylthio) phthalocyaninatocobalt(II)) (CoPyPc) and reduced graphene nanosheets (rGNS) were devoloped and used for the modification of a glassy carbon electrode. Characterization of the nanocomposites was done by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used for electrochemical characterization of the prepared nanocomposite for oxygen reduction reaction. The oxygen reduction activity for rGNS/CdSe-CoPyPc nanocomposite was found to be superior over the individual nanomaterials in this study. The activity of the nanocomposite towards oxygen reduction was also tested for tolerance to methanol crossover effect using chronoamperometry (CA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nyoni, Stephen , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189944 , vital:44950 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.201400372"
- Description: Nanocomposites containing CdSe quantum dots, tetra(4-(4,6-diaminopyrimidin-2-ylthio) phthalocyaninatocobalt(II)) (CoPyPc) and reduced graphene nanosheets (rGNS) were devoloped and used for the modification of a glassy carbon electrode. Characterization of the nanocomposites was done by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used for electrochemical characterization of the prepared nanocomposite for oxygen reduction reaction. The oxygen reduction activity for rGNS/CdSe-CoPyPc nanocomposite was found to be superior over the individual nanomaterials in this study. The activity of the nanocomposite towards oxygen reduction was also tested for tolerance to methanol crossover effect using chronoamperometry (CA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
E-Literacy training in deep rural areas: The Siyakhula Living Lab experience
- Gumbo, Sibukelo, Ntšekhe, Mathe, Terzoli, Alfredo
- Authors: Gumbo, Sibukelo , Ntšekhe, Mathe , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431411 , vital:72772 , http://proceedings.e-skillsconference.org/2014/e-skills141-154Gumbo824.pdf
- Description: Within the discourse of broadband deployment in poor areas (particular-ly rural), very little attention is generally put on the critical enabler repre-sented by e-literacy training that empowers people to use ICT systems, especially in the form of full-fledged machines such as fixed, tower and laptop computers (These machines are still more preferable for growing a generation of ‘producers’ as opposed to ‘consumers’ in the ICT space.) This paper reports on the experience in running e-literacy in a deep rural area, as part of the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL), whose end goal is to diffuse production oriented ICTs in poor areas of South Africa and Africa. In particular it will expand on the feedback given by the par-ticipants to the last edition of the e-literacy course, run in the first se-mester of 2014. The lessons learned from this experience include: the need for linguistic localization of the learning material or at least part of its presentation; the importance of teaching and learning that facilitates (easy) transfer of knowledge gained to other ICT settings (such as mo-biles; or uses to support business); and the importance of face-to-face courses to allow real interaction with the people living in the targeted areas, partly as a strategic means to forging relations towards the reali-zation of the Living Lab vision (co-creation of solutions with empowered users). Altogether, e-literacy courses have proved to be critical to the broad aim of SLL of ‘activating’the segment of society living in poor ar-eas towards self-determination. A small but telling indicator is the trans-formation in the view people have of themselves once certified as e-literate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Gumbo, Sibukelo , Ntšekhe, Mathe , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431411 , vital:72772 , http://proceedings.e-skillsconference.org/2014/e-skills141-154Gumbo824.pdf
- Description: Within the discourse of broadband deployment in poor areas (particular-ly rural), very little attention is generally put on the critical enabler repre-sented by e-literacy training that empowers people to use ICT systems, especially in the form of full-fledged machines such as fixed, tower and laptop computers (These machines are still more preferable for growing a generation of ‘producers’ as opposed to ‘consumers’ in the ICT space.) This paper reports on the experience in running e-literacy in a deep rural area, as part of the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL), whose end goal is to diffuse production oriented ICTs in poor areas of South Africa and Africa. In particular it will expand on the feedback given by the par-ticipants to the last edition of the e-literacy course, run in the first se-mester of 2014. The lessons learned from this experience include: the need for linguistic localization of the learning material or at least part of its presentation; the importance of teaching and learning that facilitates (easy) transfer of knowledge gained to other ICT settings (such as mo-biles; or uses to support business); and the importance of face-to-face courses to allow real interaction with the people living in the targeted areas, partly as a strategic means to forging relations towards the reali-zation of the Living Lab vision (co-creation of solutions with empowered users). Altogether, e-literacy courses have proved to be critical to the broad aim of SLL of ‘activating’the segment of society living in poor ar-eas towards self-determination. A small but telling indicator is the trans-formation in the view people have of themselves once certified as e-literate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
E-tolling in Gauteng: problems and perceptions
- Ponter, L A, Stack, Elizabeth M
- Authors: Ponter, L A , Stack, Elizabeth M
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/2152 , vital:20260
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ponter, L A , Stack, Elizabeth M
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/2152 , vital:20260
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Editorial
- Authors: Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391156 , vital:68625 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/121960"
- Description: This year marks the end of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development which was first proposed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 in Johannesburg. At the end of 2014 UNESCO hosted the World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in Nagoya, Japan. To mark this occasion Professor Rob O’Donoghue produced a reflective Think Piece that traces the emergence of education for sustainable development (ESD) from its educational roots in the Modernist project, to the diversity of practices that currently frame ESD as a transgressive process of cultural change. O’Donoghue interrogates tensions around knowledge and participation in the ESD terrain and proposes that knowledge-led and ethics-led learning in relation to valued purposes might create educational possibilities for expansive, transgressive and reflexive learning processes towards a more sustainable future. This Think Piece opens the Journal; many of the strengths, tensions and generative opportunities in environment and sustainability education referred to by O’Donoghue are reflected in this edition of the journal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391156 , vital:68625 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/121960"
- Description: This year marks the end of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development which was first proposed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 in Johannesburg. At the end of 2014 UNESCO hosted the World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in Nagoya, Japan. To mark this occasion Professor Rob O’Donoghue produced a reflective Think Piece that traces the emergence of education for sustainable development (ESD) from its educational roots in the Modernist project, to the diversity of practices that currently frame ESD as a transgressive process of cultural change. O’Donoghue interrogates tensions around knowledge and participation in the ESD terrain and proposes that knowledge-led and ethics-led learning in relation to valued purposes might create educational possibilities for expansive, transgressive and reflexive learning processes towards a more sustainable future. This Think Piece opens the Journal; many of the strengths, tensions and generative opportunities in environment and sustainability education referred to by O’Donoghue are reflected in this edition of the journal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Effect of bovine serum albumin and single walled carbon nanotube on the photophysical properties of zinc octacarboxy phthalocyanine
- Ogbodu, Racheal O, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Ogbodu, Racheal O , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189806 , vital:44933 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2013.10.064"
- Description: This work reports on the photophysical parameters of the conjugate between zinc octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ZnOCPc) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) represented as ZnOCPc–BSA (1) which was further adsorbed onto single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) represented as (ZnOCPc–BSA–SWCNT 2). ZnOCPc (without BSA) was also adsorbed on SWCNT represented as ZnOCPc–SWCNT (3). The presence of BSA resulted in the increase in singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ) for 1 (at ΦΔ = 0.44) and 2 (at ΦΔ = 0.41) compared to ΦΔ = 0.21 for ZnOCPc alone. For complex 3 which did not contain BSA singlet oxygen quantum yield decreased.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ogbodu, Racheal O , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189806 , vital:44933 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2013.10.064"
- Description: This work reports on the photophysical parameters of the conjugate between zinc octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ZnOCPc) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) represented as ZnOCPc–BSA (1) which was further adsorbed onto single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) represented as (ZnOCPc–BSA–SWCNT 2). ZnOCPc (without BSA) was also adsorbed on SWCNT represented as ZnOCPc–SWCNT (3). The presence of BSA resulted in the increase in singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ) for 1 (at ΦΔ = 0.44) and 2 (at ΦΔ = 0.41) compared to ΦΔ = 0.21 for ZnOCPc alone. For complex 3 which did not contain BSA singlet oxygen quantum yield decreased.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Effect of water trophic level on the impact of the water hyacinth moth Niphograpta albiguttalis on Eichhornia crassipes
- Canavan, Kim N, Coetzee, Julie A, Hill, Martin P, Paterson, Iain D
- Authors: Canavan, Kim N , Coetzee, Julie A , Hill, Martin P , Paterson, Iain D
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423740 , vital:72090 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2014.893225"
- Description: Eutrophication contributes to the proliferation of alien invasive weed species such as water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes. Although the South American moth Niphograpta albiguttalis was released in South Africa in 1990 as a biological control agent against water hyacinth, no post-release evaluations have yet been conducted here. The impact of N. albiguttalis on water hyacinth growth was quantified under low-, medium- and high-nutrient concentrations in a greenhouse experiment. Niphograpta albiguttalis was damaging to water hyacinth in all three nutrient treatments, but significant damage in most plant parameters was found only under high-nutrient treatments. However, E. crassipes plants grown in high-nutrient water were healthier, and presumably had higher fitness, than plants not exposed to herbivory at lower-nutrient levels. Niphograpta albiguttalis is likely to be most damaging to water hyacinth in eutrophic water systems, but the damage will not result in acceptable levels of control because of the plant's high productivity under these conditions. Niphograpta albiguttalis is a suitable agent for controlling water hyacinth infestations in eutrophic water systems, but should be used in combination with other biological control agents and included in an integrated management plan also involving herbicidal control and water quality management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Canavan, Kim N , Coetzee, Julie A , Hill, Martin P , Paterson, Iain D
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423740 , vital:72090 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2014.893225"
- Description: Eutrophication contributes to the proliferation of alien invasive weed species such as water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes. Although the South American moth Niphograpta albiguttalis was released in South Africa in 1990 as a biological control agent against water hyacinth, no post-release evaluations have yet been conducted here. The impact of N. albiguttalis on water hyacinth growth was quantified under low-, medium- and high-nutrient concentrations in a greenhouse experiment. Niphograpta albiguttalis was damaging to water hyacinth in all three nutrient treatments, but significant damage in most plant parameters was found only under high-nutrient treatments. However, E. crassipes plants grown in high-nutrient water were healthier, and presumably had higher fitness, than plants not exposed to herbivory at lower-nutrient levels. Niphograpta albiguttalis is likely to be most damaging to water hyacinth in eutrophic water systems, but the damage will not result in acceptable levels of control because of the plant's high productivity under these conditions. Niphograpta albiguttalis is a suitable agent for controlling water hyacinth infestations in eutrophic water systems, but should be used in combination with other biological control agents and included in an integrated management plan also involving herbicidal control and water quality management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Effects of analytes on the fluorescence properties of CdTe@ ZnS quantum dots decorated with cobalt tetraamino-phthalocyanine
- Adegoke, Oluwasesan, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189829 , vital:44935 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2013.09.079"
- Description: In this work, we have carried out an investigation on the effects of different biologically active analytes on the fluorescence response of glutathione-capped CdTe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs)-colbalt tetraamino-phthalocyanine nanoconjugate system. Firstly, fluorescence quenching occurred. Experimental results showed that some analytes either “turned on”, others further quenched or showed no effect on the fluorescence emission of the nanoprobe.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189829 , vital:44935 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2013.09.079"
- Description: In this work, we have carried out an investigation on the effects of different biologically active analytes on the fluorescence response of glutathione-capped CdTe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs)-colbalt tetraamino-phthalocyanine nanoconjugate system. Firstly, fluorescence quenching occurred. Experimental results showed that some analytes either “turned on”, others further quenched or showed no effect on the fluorescence emission of the nanoprobe.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Effects of number of ring substituents on the physicochemical properties of zinc aminophenoxy phthalocyanine-single walled carbon nanotube conjugate
- Ogbodu, Rachael O, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Ogbodu, Rachael O , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190356 , vital:44987 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2013.09.015"
- Description: This work reports on the linking of zinc monoaminophenoxy (ZnMAPPc) or zinc tetraaminophenoxy phthalocyanine (ZnTAPPc) complexes to single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) through either covalent or non-covalent (adsorption) bonding. The functionalized complexes showed better thermal stability when compared to the SWCNT-COOH, ZnMAPPc and ZnTAPPc alone as confirmed by thermogravimetric analyses. The covalently linked ZnMAPc-SWCNT showed higher electron transfer rate constant and photoinduced electron efficiency when compared to adsorbed complexes. ZnMAPPc-SWCNT complexes (linked and adsorbed) showed better photophysical and photochemical properties when compared to ZnTAPPc-SWCNT complexes. The triplet, singlet oxygen and florescence quantum yields of ZnMAPPc (or ZnTAPPc) decrease upon linking or adsorption onto SWCNTs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ogbodu, Rachael O , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190356 , vital:44987 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2013.09.015"
- Description: This work reports on the linking of zinc monoaminophenoxy (ZnMAPPc) or zinc tetraaminophenoxy phthalocyanine (ZnTAPPc) complexes to single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) through either covalent or non-covalent (adsorption) bonding. The functionalized complexes showed better thermal stability when compared to the SWCNT-COOH, ZnMAPPc and ZnTAPPc alone as confirmed by thermogravimetric analyses. The covalently linked ZnMAPc-SWCNT showed higher electron transfer rate constant and photoinduced electron efficiency when compared to adsorbed complexes. ZnMAPPc-SWCNT complexes (linked and adsorbed) showed better photophysical and photochemical properties when compared to ZnTAPPc-SWCNT complexes. The triplet, singlet oxygen and florescence quantum yields of ZnMAPPc (or ZnTAPPc) decrease upon linking or adsorption onto SWCNTs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Effects of pyrene on the photophysical and two-photon absorption-based nonlinear optical properties of indium (III) phthalocyanines
- Sanusi, Kayode, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sanusi, Kayode , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189957 , vital:44951 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2014.959509"
- Description: Photophysical and two-photon-dependent nonlinear absorption properties of two chloroindium(III) phthalocyanines bearing pyrene units have been investigated. The tetra- (3) and the tri- (4) pyrene-substituted phthalocyanines exhibit strong triplet absorption with high triplet yields ( ) of 0.79 and 0.83, respectively. The measured nonlinear optical data, such as the two photon absorption cross-sections, the third- and second-order nonlinearities were found to be comparable with those of literature, thus, making the compounds promising candidates for a broad range of nonlinear optical applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Sanusi, Kayode , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189957 , vital:44951 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2014.959509"
- Description: Photophysical and two-photon-dependent nonlinear absorption properties of two chloroindium(III) phthalocyanines bearing pyrene units have been investigated. The tetra- (3) and the tri- (4) pyrene-substituted phthalocyanines exhibit strong triplet absorption with high triplet yields ( ) of 0.79 and 0.83, respectively. The measured nonlinear optical data, such as the two photon absorption cross-sections, the third- and second-order nonlinearities were found to be comparable with those of literature, thus, making the compounds promising candidates for a broad range of nonlinear optical applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Effects of redox mediators on the catalytic activity of iron porphyrins towards oxygen reduction in acidic media
- He, Qinggang, Wu, Gang, Liu, Ke, Khene, Samson M, Li, Qing, Mugadza, Tawanda, Deunf, Elise, Nyokong, Tebello, Chen, Shaowei W
- Authors: He, Qinggang , Wu, Gang , Liu, Ke , Khene, Samson M , Li, Qing , Mugadza, Tawanda , Deunf, Elise , Nyokong, Tebello , Chen, Shaowei W
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241472 , vital:50942 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.201402054"
- Description: The effects of different redox mediators on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyzed by an iron porphyrin complex, iron(III) meso-tetra(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphine chloride [FeIIITMPyP], in 0.1 M triflic acid were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and spectroelectrochemistry in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The formal potentials of the FeIIITMPyP catalyst and the redox mediators, as well as the half-wave potentials for the ORR, were determined by CV in the absence and presence of oxygen in acidic solutions. UV/Vis spectroscopic and spectroelectrochemical studies confirmed that only the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazioline-6-sulfonic acid)diammonium salt (C18H24N6O6S4) showed effective interactions with FeIIITMPyP during the ORR. DFT calculations suggested strong interaction between FeIIITMPyP and the C18H24N6O6S4 redox mediator. The redox mediator caused lengthening of the dioxygen iron bond, which thus suggested easier dioxygen reduction. Consistent results were observed in electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements for which the electron-transfer kinetics were also evaluated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: He, Qinggang , Wu, Gang , Liu, Ke , Khene, Samson M , Li, Qing , Mugadza, Tawanda , Deunf, Elise , Nyokong, Tebello , Chen, Shaowei W
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241472 , vital:50942 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.201402054"
- Description: The effects of different redox mediators on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyzed by an iron porphyrin complex, iron(III) meso-tetra(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphine chloride [FeIIITMPyP], in 0.1 M triflic acid were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and spectroelectrochemistry in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The formal potentials of the FeIIITMPyP catalyst and the redox mediators, as well as the half-wave potentials for the ORR, were determined by CV in the absence and presence of oxygen in acidic solutions. UV/Vis spectroscopic and spectroelectrochemical studies confirmed that only the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazioline-6-sulfonic acid)diammonium salt (C18H24N6O6S4) showed effective interactions with FeIIITMPyP during the ORR. DFT calculations suggested strong interaction between FeIIITMPyP and the C18H24N6O6S4 redox mediator. The redox mediator caused lengthening of the dioxygen iron bond, which thus suggested easier dioxygen reduction. Consistent results were observed in electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements for which the electron-transfer kinetics were also evaluated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Electrocatalytic behahiour of cobalt tetraamino-phthalocyanine in the presence of a composite of reduced graphene nanosheets and of multi-walled carbon nanotubes
- Nyoni, Stephen, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nyoni, Stephen , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189784 , vital:44931 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2014.05.093"
- Description: A composite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with reduced graphene nanosheets (rGNS-2) was developed in order to minimize the restacking of the latter. The composite was used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). GCE was further modified with cobalt tetraamino phthalocyanine (CoTAPc). The modified electrode is represented as rGNS-2-MWCNT-CoTAPc-GCE. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to explore into surface functionalities, morphology and topography of the nanocomposite. The rGNS-2-MWCNT-CoTAPc-GCE had a low limit of detection of 3.32 × 10−8 M towards the detection of paraguat as a test analyte. A mechanism for paraquat detection using an rGNS-2-MWCNT-CoTAPc-GCE is also proposed in this work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nyoni, Stephen , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189784 , vital:44931 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2014.05.093"
- Description: A composite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with reduced graphene nanosheets (rGNS-2) was developed in order to minimize the restacking of the latter. The composite was used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). GCE was further modified with cobalt tetraamino phthalocyanine (CoTAPc). The modified electrode is represented as rGNS-2-MWCNT-CoTAPc-GCE. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to explore into surface functionalities, morphology and topography of the nanocomposite. The rGNS-2-MWCNT-CoTAPc-GCE had a low limit of detection of 3.32 × 10−8 M towards the detection of paraguat as a test analyte. A mechanism for paraquat detection using an rGNS-2-MWCNT-CoTAPc-GCE is also proposed in this work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Electrochemical behaviour of gold nanoparticles and Co tetraaminophthalocyanine on glassy carbon electrode
- Maringa, Audacity, Antunes, Edith M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Maringa, Audacity , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241573 , vital:50951 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2013.12.132"
- Description: We report on the electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) followed by polymerization of cobalt tetraamino phthalocyanine (CoPc(NH2)4) on top (represented as poly-CoPc(NH2)4-/AuNPs-GCE). The modified electrode where CoPc(NH2)4 is polymerized first followed by deposition of AuNPs is represented as AuNPs/poly-CoPc(NH2)4-GCE. In the absence of AuNPs, the electrode is represented as poly-CoPc(NH2)4-GCE or for AuNPs alone (AuNPs-GCE). The surface coverage was 1.5 × 10−9 mol cm−2 for AuNPs-GCE and 3.0 × 10−9 mol cm−2 for the rest of the modified electrodes. AuNPs/CoPc(NH2)4-GCE exhibited high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of nitrite, with detection potential of 0.76 V. The catalytic rate constant of 3.96 × 107 cm3 mol−1 s−1 was obtained for nitrite oxidation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Maringa, Audacity , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241573 , vital:50951 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2013.12.132"
- Description: We report on the electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) followed by polymerization of cobalt tetraamino phthalocyanine (CoPc(NH2)4) on top (represented as poly-CoPc(NH2)4-/AuNPs-GCE). The modified electrode where CoPc(NH2)4 is polymerized first followed by deposition of AuNPs is represented as AuNPs/poly-CoPc(NH2)4-GCE. In the absence of AuNPs, the electrode is represented as poly-CoPc(NH2)4-GCE or for AuNPs alone (AuNPs-GCE). The surface coverage was 1.5 × 10−9 mol cm−2 for AuNPs-GCE and 3.0 × 10−9 mol cm−2 for the rest of the modified electrodes. AuNPs/CoPc(NH2)4-GCE exhibited high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of nitrite, with detection potential of 0.76 V. The catalytic rate constant of 3.96 × 107 cm3 mol−1 s−1 was obtained for nitrite oxidation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Electrochemical inclusion of catechol into singlewalled carbon nanotubes: application for sensors
- Authors: Oni, Joshua , Limson, Janice
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431090 , vital:72743 , xlink:href="10.1109/BioCAS.2014.6981727"
- Description: We report on the use of catechol for the electrochemical activation of acid-functionalised single-walled carbon nanotubes immobilised on glassy carbon electrodes. Following well-published methods for catechol activation of bare glassy carbon electrodes, these studies show the efficacy of extending the method to activation of carbon nanotubes. Voltammetric scans in catechol show an increase in current response of 37 μA for the catechol redox pair over a maximum of three cycles during the catechol activation step. An increase in the ease of electron flow is indicated by a larger value for K app , which corresponds to a decrease in R ct obtained during impedance measurements. Catechol activation enhanced electron transfer, potentially afforded by an ease of electron passage due to a decrease in the resistance of the layer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Oni, Joshua , Limson, Janice
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431090 , vital:72743 , xlink:href="10.1109/BioCAS.2014.6981727"
- Description: We report on the use of catechol for the electrochemical activation of acid-functionalised single-walled carbon nanotubes immobilised on glassy carbon electrodes. Following well-published methods for catechol activation of bare glassy carbon electrodes, these studies show the efficacy of extending the method to activation of carbon nanotubes. Voltammetric scans in catechol show an increase in current response of 37 μA for the catechol redox pair over a maximum of three cycles during the catechol activation step. An increase in the ease of electron flow is indicated by a larger value for K app , which corresponds to a decrease in R ct obtained during impedance measurements. Catechol activation enhanced electron transfer, potentially afforded by an ease of electron passage due to a decrease in the resistance of the layer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Electropolymerized Fluorinated Aniline-Based Fiber for Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatographic Determination of Benzaldehyde in Injectable Pharmaceutical Formulations
- Mohammadi, Ali, Mohammadi, Somayeh, Moghaddam, Bayandori A, Masoumi, Vahideh, Walker, Roderick B
- Authors: Mohammadi, Ali , Mohammadi, Somayeh , Moghaddam, Bayandori A , Masoumi, Vahideh , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184120 , vital:44175 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1093/chromsci/bmt152"
- Description: In this study, a simple method was developed and validated to detect trace levels of benzaldehyde in injectable pharmaceutical formulations by solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–flame ionization detector. Polyaniline was electrodeposited on a platinum wire in trifluoroacetic acid solvent by cyclic voltammetry technique. This fiber shows high thermal and mechanical stability and high performance in extraction of benzaldehyde. Extraction and desorption time and temperature, salt effect and gas chromatography parameters were optimized as key parameters. At the optimum conditions, the fiber shows good linearity between peak area ratio of benzaldehyde/3-chlorobenzaldehyde and benzaldehyde concentration in the range of 50–800 ng/mL with percent relative standard deviation values ranging from 0.75 to 8.64% (n 5 3). The limits of quantitation and detection were 50 and 16 ng/mL, respectively. The method has the requisite selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy and precision to assay benzaldehyde in injectable pharmaceutical dosage forms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mohammadi, Ali , Mohammadi, Somayeh , Moghaddam, Bayandori A , Masoumi, Vahideh , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184120 , vital:44175 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1093/chromsci/bmt152"
- Description: In this study, a simple method was developed and validated to detect trace levels of benzaldehyde in injectable pharmaceutical formulations by solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–flame ionization detector. Polyaniline was electrodeposited on a platinum wire in trifluoroacetic acid solvent by cyclic voltammetry technique. This fiber shows high thermal and mechanical stability and high performance in extraction of benzaldehyde. Extraction and desorption time and temperature, salt effect and gas chromatography parameters were optimized as key parameters. At the optimum conditions, the fiber shows good linearity between peak area ratio of benzaldehyde/3-chlorobenzaldehyde and benzaldehyde concentration in the range of 50–800 ng/mL with percent relative standard deviation values ranging from 0.75 to 8.64% (n 5 3). The limits of quantitation and detection were 50 and 16 ng/mL, respectively. The method has the requisite selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy and precision to assay benzaldehyde in injectable pharmaceutical dosage forms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Electro‐oxidation of acetaminophen on nickel/poly (o‐aminophenol)/multi‐walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite modified graphite electrode.
- Naeemy, Ali, Mohammadi, Ali, Bakhtiari, Hediech, Ashouri, Nasim, Walker, Roderick B
- Authors: Naeemy, Ali , Mohammadi, Ali , Bakhtiari, Hediech , Ashouri, Nasim , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184107 , vital:44173 , xlink:href="https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1049/mnl.2014.0197"
- Description: Poly(o-aminophenol) (POAP)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite and POAP in the absence of the MWCNT were fabricated by consecutive cyclic voltammetry (CV) on a graphite (G) electrode. The dispersion of nickel (II) ions was accomplished and incorporated into the polymeric electrodes (G/POAP and G/POAP-MWCNT) by immersing them into a 0.1 M nickel (II) solution. Following preparation of G/POAP/Ni and G/POAP-MWCNT/Ni, the electrochemical behaviour was examined using CV. Scanning electron microscopy was used for characterisation of the nanocomposite. The prepared electrodes showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of acetaminophen and facilitated the detection of acetaminophen in a 0.1 M NaOH solution. Compared with the G/POAP/Ni electrode, the G/POAP-MWCNT/Ni electrode had a significant current response of acetaminophen oxidation because of the synergistic effects of POAP and the MWCNT. By CV, the calibration plot was linear in the range of 1–13 mM with standard deviation between 0.3 and 6.54% for acetaminophen. The G/POAP-MWCNT/Ni was successfully applied for acetaminophen determination in tablets and the results showed sufficient precision and achieved a mean recovery of 96.8% (R.S.D. = 4.9%).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Naeemy, Ali , Mohammadi, Ali , Bakhtiari, Hediech , Ashouri, Nasim , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184107 , vital:44173 , xlink:href="https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1049/mnl.2014.0197"
- Description: Poly(o-aminophenol) (POAP)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite and POAP in the absence of the MWCNT were fabricated by consecutive cyclic voltammetry (CV) on a graphite (G) electrode. The dispersion of nickel (II) ions was accomplished and incorporated into the polymeric electrodes (G/POAP and G/POAP-MWCNT) by immersing them into a 0.1 M nickel (II) solution. Following preparation of G/POAP/Ni and G/POAP-MWCNT/Ni, the electrochemical behaviour was examined using CV. Scanning electron microscopy was used for characterisation of the nanocomposite. The prepared electrodes showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of acetaminophen and facilitated the detection of acetaminophen in a 0.1 M NaOH solution. Compared with the G/POAP/Ni electrode, the G/POAP-MWCNT/Ni electrode had a significant current response of acetaminophen oxidation because of the synergistic effects of POAP and the MWCNT. By CV, the calibration plot was linear in the range of 1–13 mM with standard deviation between 0.3 and 6.54% for acetaminophen. The G/POAP-MWCNT/Ni was successfully applied for acetaminophen determination in tablets and the results showed sufficient precision and achieved a mean recovery of 96.8% (R.S.D. = 4.9%).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Enhanced nonlinear optical properties of octa-substituted lead and cadmium phthalocyanines when embedded in poly (bisphenol A carbonate) as thin films
- Mkhize, Colin, Britton, Jonathan, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mkhize, Colin , Britton, Jonathan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241459 , vital:50941 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2014.07.025"
- Description: This work presents photophysical and nonlinear optical properties of a novel Cd 2,3-[octakis{4-tert-butylphenoxyphthalocyanine}] (CdOtBPPc) and compare them with those of Pb 2,3-[octakis{4-tert-butylphenoxyphthalocyanine}] (PbOtBPPc). For both the CdOtBPPc and PbOtBPPc, third order imaginary susceptibility and second order hyperpolarizability values were found to be within the limit set for good optical limiters. The Pcs were embedded in poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PBC) as thin films. The optical limiting values of the Pcs once embedded in film were found to be greatly improved and the limiting fluence of each film was well below the maximum threshold. Both PbOtBPPc and CdOtBPPc showed better optical limiting when embedded in PBC compared to PMMA. CdOtBPPc shows better nonlinear optical behavior than PbOtBPPc in solution and as thin films, even though the former is aggregated in solution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mkhize, Colin , Britton, Jonathan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241459 , vital:50941 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2014.07.025"
- Description: This work presents photophysical and nonlinear optical properties of a novel Cd 2,3-[octakis{4-tert-butylphenoxyphthalocyanine}] (CdOtBPPc) and compare them with those of Pb 2,3-[octakis{4-tert-butylphenoxyphthalocyanine}] (PbOtBPPc). For both the CdOtBPPc and PbOtBPPc, third order imaginary susceptibility and second order hyperpolarizability values were found to be within the limit set for good optical limiters. The Pcs were embedded in poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PBC) as thin films. The optical limiting values of the Pcs once embedded in film were found to be greatly improved and the limiting fluence of each film was well below the maximum threshold. Both PbOtBPPc and CdOtBPPc showed better optical limiting when embedded in PBC compared to PMMA. CdOtBPPc shows better nonlinear optical behavior than PbOtBPPc in solution and as thin films, even though the former is aggregated in solution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Enhanced Optical Limiting Behavior of an Indium Phthalocyanine–Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composite
- Sanusi, Kayode, Amuhaya, Edith K, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sanusi, Kayode , Amuhaya, Edith K , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193871 , vital:45401 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1021/jp501469e "
- Description: The nonlinear optical behavior of 2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-aminophenoxy) phthalocyaninato indium (III) chloride (2) and its carbon nanotube composite in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF) solutions is described. The nonlinear third-order susceptibility and second-order hyperpolarizability values are also reported. A large nonlinear absorption that increased on covalent linking with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was observed for the compound in DMSO. The nanosecond nonlinear absorption and the optical limiting behavior of this complex are shown to be dominated by a strong excited state absorption from a two-photon pumped state. The optical limiter using the new nanocomposite material (SWCNT-2) in the appropriate solvent showed a much lower threshold for optical limiting together with a much lower transmission at high fluences than previously reported nanocomposite limiters. The optical properties of the phthalocyanine and its conjugate were found to show high sensitivity toward the change of solvent matrix.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Sanusi, Kayode , Amuhaya, Edith K , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193871 , vital:45401 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1021/jp501469e "
- Description: The nonlinear optical behavior of 2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-aminophenoxy) phthalocyaninato indium (III) chloride (2) and its carbon nanotube composite in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF) solutions is described. The nonlinear third-order susceptibility and second-order hyperpolarizability values are also reported. A large nonlinear absorption that increased on covalent linking with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was observed for the compound in DMSO. The nanosecond nonlinear absorption and the optical limiting behavior of this complex are shown to be dominated by a strong excited state absorption from a two-photon pumped state. The optical limiter using the new nanocomposite material (SWCNT-2) in the appropriate solvent showed a much lower threshold for optical limiting together with a much lower transmission at high fluences than previously reported nanocomposite limiters. The optical properties of the phthalocyanine and its conjugate were found to show high sensitivity toward the change of solvent matrix.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Enhanced optical limiting performance in phthalocyanine-quantum dot nanocomposites by free-carrier absorption mechanism
- Sanusi, Kayode, Khene, Samson M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sanusi, Kayode , Khene, Samson M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193904 , vital:45404 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2014.07.024"
- Description: Enhanced nonlinear optical properties (in dimethyl sulphoxide) is observed for 2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-aminophenoxy)phthalocyaninato indium(III) chloride (InPc) when covalently linked to CdSe/ZnS or CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The experimental nonlinear optical parameters were obtained from Z-Scan measurements. Contributions from two-photon absorption (2PA) due to the InPc, and free-carrier absorption (FCA) by QDS have been identified as the main factors responsible for the enhanced optical limiting. The effective nonlinear absorption coefficient for InPc-CdSe/ZnS was found to be 700.0 cm/GW. The FCA cross-sections for InPc-CdSe/ZnS and InPc-CdSe composites were found to be 1.52 × 10−19 and 6.00 × 10−20 cm2 respectively. A much lower limiting threshold of 92 mJ cm−2 was observed for InPc-CdSe/ZnS nanocomposite, hence, making it suitable for use as optical limiting material. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations on similar phthalocyanine-quantum dots system was modeled in order to explain the enhancement in the observed nonlinear optical properties of the Pc in the presence of the QDs. The experimentally determined nonlinear optical properties are well within the range of the DFT calculated properties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Sanusi, Kayode , Khene, Samson M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193904 , vital:45404 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2014.07.024"
- Description: Enhanced nonlinear optical properties (in dimethyl sulphoxide) is observed for 2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-aminophenoxy)phthalocyaninato indium(III) chloride (InPc) when covalently linked to CdSe/ZnS or CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The experimental nonlinear optical parameters were obtained from Z-Scan measurements. Contributions from two-photon absorption (2PA) due to the InPc, and free-carrier absorption (FCA) by QDS have been identified as the main factors responsible for the enhanced optical limiting. The effective nonlinear absorption coefficient for InPc-CdSe/ZnS was found to be 700.0 cm/GW. The FCA cross-sections for InPc-CdSe/ZnS and InPc-CdSe composites were found to be 1.52 × 10−19 and 6.00 × 10−20 cm2 respectively. A much lower limiting threshold of 92 mJ cm−2 was observed for InPc-CdSe/ZnS nanocomposite, hence, making it suitable for use as optical limiting material. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations on similar phthalocyanine-quantum dots system was modeled in order to explain the enhancement in the observed nonlinear optical properties of the Pc in the presence of the QDs. The experimentally determined nonlinear optical properties are well within the range of the DFT calculated properties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014