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Benard S. Mwankemwa

Other affiliations: University of Pretoria
Bio: Benard S. Mwankemwa is an academic researcher from University of Dodoma. The author has contributed to research in topics: Nanorod & Materials science. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 12 publications receiving 118 citations. Previous affiliations of Benard S. Mwankemwa include University of Pretoria.

Papers
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TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of Sm doping of ZnO nanorods on their structural, morphology, and optical properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction patterns and field emission scanning electron microscopy images.

50 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results of this work was supported by the Swiss-South African Joint Research (SSAJR) Project IZLSZ2-149031; the Swizz SNF Grant R′Equip 206021-121306 and National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) (UID/Project number: 87401).
Abstract: The results of this work was supported by the Swiss-South African Joint Research (SSAJR) Project IZLSZ2-149031; the Swizz SNF Grant R′Equip 206021-121306 and National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) (UID/Project number: 87401). K.M acknowledges University of Botswana for financial support.

26 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The University of Pretoria and National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa, Grant No: 91550 and 94166 as mentioned in this paper, South Africa National Research Council (NSRC).

21 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of annealing temperature (AT) on structure, morphology and optical properties of hydrothermally synthesized TiO2 nanocrystals was investigated. And the authors found that AT over the 200 to 600°C temperature range causes the band gap to decrease from 3.08 to 2.73
Abstract: This study investigates the effect of annealing temperature (AT) on structure, morphology and optical properties of hydrothermally synthesized TiO2 nanocrystals. Selected-Area Diffraction (SAED) confirmed high quality monocrystals. XRD and Raman spectroscopy indicate only anatase and rutile phases. At high temperature, the (101) and (001) are preferred. PL emission peaks appear at 407, 416 and 493 nm, which can be attributed to photo-excited electron-hole pairs, band-edge excitons and oxygen vacancy defects, respectively. UV–Vis spectroscopy indicates that AT over the 200–600 °C temperature range causes the band gap to decrease from 3.08 eV to 2.73 eV. Hydrothermal synthesis followed by annealing at 600 °C is found to be a good route for high-purity, nanocrystalline anatase-phase TiO2 with the preferred {001} orientation that is thought to enhance solar cell performance.

20 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The University of Pretoria and National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa, the authors have provided a grant for the work of the authors, with Grant No: 91550 and 94166.

19 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a modified perfume spray pyrolysis method (MSP) was used to synthesize pure ZnO, ZNO-CuO nanocomposites.
Abstract: Pure ZnO, ZnO–CuO nanocomposites can be synthesized by using a modified perfume spray pyrolysis method (MSP). The crystallite size of the nanoparticles (NPs) has been observed by X-ray diffraction pattern and is nearly 36 nm. Morphological studies have been analyzed by using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and its elemental analysis was reported by Elemental X-ray Analysis (EDX); these studies confirmed that ZnO and CuO have hexagonal structure and monoclinic structure respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that the presence of functional frequencies of ZnO and CuO were observed at 443 and 616 cm−1. The average bandgap value at 3.25 eV using UV–vis spectra for the entitled composite has described a blue shift that has been observed here. The antibacterial study against both gram positive and negative bacteria has been studied by the disc diffusion method. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report on ZnO–CuO nanocomposite synthesized by a modified perfume spray pyrolysis method.

139 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors introduced various modification strategies of hematite with emphasis on surface modifications to achieve low onset potential as well as high photocurrent approaching the theoretical value for solar water splitting.
Abstract: The last few decades’ extensive research on the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has projected it as a promising approach to meet the steadily growing demand for cleaner and renewable energy in a sustainable and economically viable fashion. Among many potential photocatalysts, hematite (α‐Fe2O3) emerges as a highly promising photoanode material with favorable characteristics including visible light absorption (a suitable band gap energy), earth abundance, chemical stability, and low cost. A pronounced disadvantage of α‐Fe2O3 is its low photovoltage together with an extremely short hole diffusion length and a low electrical conductivity, which limit its PEC water oxidation performance. To make α‐Fe2O3 as a viable photocatalyst for PEC water splitting, one needs to rectify these unfavorable characteristics of α‐Fe2O3 by elaborated multiple modifications. In this review article, we introduce various modification strategies of hematite with emphasis on surface modifications to achieve low onset potential as well as high photocurrent approaching the theoretical value for solar water splitting.

114 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this review, recent progress of the technology is discussed in detail, and the common target materials, technologies and functions and characterization of coated fabrics are summarized and analyzed.
Abstract: The applications of magnetron sputtering technology on the surface coating of fabrics have attracted more and more attention from researchers. Over the past 15 years, researches on magnetron sputtering coated fabrics have been mainly focused on electromagnetic shielding, bacterial resistance, hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties and structural color etc. In this review, recent progress of the technology is discussed in detail, and the common target materials, technologies and functions and characterization of coated fabrics are summarized and analyzed. Finally, the existing problems and future prospects of this developing field are briefly proposed and discussed.

58 citations