Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

At the CSIR, we are synthesizing nanomaterials using chemical routes, CVD and the laser-furnace method. These materials include quantum dots, single-walled carbon nanotubes, titania and other oxide materials. Applications include gas sensing and water purifications. We also have world class facilities to characterizhese materials. We also do fundamental work on organic solar cells as wells fundamental UHV STM work on metal surfaces. The group has published extensively. However, we see the IRSES as an excellent opportunity to link with our European colleagues to strengthen our knowledge and training in the fabrication and characterization of sensors based on nanomaterials.

List of five recent publications related to the project

1. D.E. Motaung, M.K. Moodley*, E. Manikandan and N.J. Coville. In situ optical emission study on the role of C2 in the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes. J. App. Phy. 107. (2010) 044308
2. M.K. Moodley and N.J. Coville, Experimental evidence for the early nucleation of single-walled carbon nanotubes, Chemical Physics Letters 498 (2010) 140
3. Thermal induced changes on the properties of spin-coated P3HT:C60 thin films for solar cell applications”, D E. Motaung, G F. Malgas, C J. Arendse, Sipho E. Mavundla, Clive J. Oliphant and D. Knoesen, Solar Energy Materials and Solar cells 93, 1674 (2009)
4. "Investigation of the effects of substrate annealing on the properties of polymer blends", David E. Motaung, Gerald F. Malgas, Christopher J. Arendse and Thomas Malwela, Materials Chemistry and Physics 124, 208 (2010)
5. “Comparative study: The effects of solvent on the morphology, optical and structural features of regioregular poly (3-hexylthiophene):fullerene thin films”, David E. Motaung, Gerald F. Malgas and Christopher J. Arendse , Synthetic Metals 160, 876 (2010)

The NCNSM is National Facility operating as a research centre within the CSIR. The CSIR is the biggest R&D facility on the African continent (total staff about 2500). The NCNSM was strategically created as part of the Department of Science and Technology’s National Nanotechnology Initiative. The facility is a modern facility with state-of-the-art scientific equipment and laboratory space. Currently the emphasis is on nanomaterial synthesis and characterization in the main areas of advanced materials and low dimensional material systems. There is a permanent research staff compliment of 8 scientists (physicists and chemists), 3 post-doctoral students and about 15 post-graduate students pursuing Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Major equipment at the Centre: JEOL HR 2100 LaB6 TEM, JEOL F7500 FEG SEM, Zeiss Auriga 60 FIB SEM, PanAnalytical XRD, Omicron UHV STM, Jobin Yvon HR800 VIS-NIR-IR Raman Spectrometer, Veeco AFM/STM, Anton Paar SAXS/WAXS, Aja Orion 5 UHV magnetron sputter system (3 DC and 1 RF), Jobin Yvon Nanolog, Perkin Elmer UV-VIS-NIR, Perkin Elmer FTIR, JA Woollam M2000D Ellipsometer, Solar Simulator, Laser synthesis laboratory, Large general chemistry Labs with microwave synthesis, ultra centrifuge and other laboratory instrumentation, Extensive and modern facilities for characterization of polymers.