Research interests

• Experimental Solid State Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Semiconductor Physics
• Nanophosphors

• Experimental Solid State Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Semiconductor Physics
• Nanophosphors
• Graphene Nanocomposites
• Semiconductor Physics
• Photovoltaics, Organic Solar Cells,
• Selective Solar Absorber

   Book Chapters

• Omar Bajjou, Malik Maaza, Mohammed Khenfouch, B Mothudi, M LEKALA, Mimouna Baitoul: PH and concentration effect on the optical absorption properties of porphyrin nanorods functionalized graphene oxide. European Microscopy Congress 2016: Proceedings, 12/2016: pages 49-50;ISBN: 9783527808465, DOI:10.1002/9783527808465.EMC2016.4464

• Luyanda L. Noto, Hendrik C. Swart, Bakang M. Mothudi, Pontsho S. Mbule, Mokhotjwa S. Dhlamini: The Dynamics of Luminescence. Luminescence - An Outlook on the Phenomena and their Applications, 11/2016: pages 13-32; , DOI:10.5772/65050

• Saleh Khamlich, Mokhotjwa Dhlamini, Bakang Mothudi, Malik Maaza: Low-Temperature Aqueous Coatings for Solar Thermal Absorber Applications. Biobased and Environmental Benign Coatings, 04/2016: pages 225-243; , ISBN: 9781119184928, DOI:10.1002/9781119185055.ch9

• I Derkaoui, M Khenfouch, I Elmokri, B.M Mothudi, M.S Dhlamini, S.J Moloi, I Zorkani, A Jorio, M Maaza:Structural and optical properties of hydrothermally synthesized vanadium oxides nanobelts. 03/2017; 186(1):012007., DOI:10.1088/1757-899X/186/1/012007

• Bajjou, M Khenfouch, M Baïtoul, B Mothudi, M Dhlamini, E Faulques, M Maaza: Vibrational and optical properties of Meso-tetrakis(4-phenylsulfonica-acid) porphyrin decorated with graphene oxide.. 03/2017; 186(1):012003., DOI:10.1088/1757-899X/186/1/012003

• Issam Derkaoui, Mohammed Khenfouch, Ibrahim Elmokri, Bakang M. Mothudi, Mokhotjwa S. Dhlamini, Sabata J. Moloi. Anouar Jorio, Izeddine Zorkani, Malik Maaza: The effect of graphene layers on the growth of vanadium oxide nanostructures: Structural, morphological and optical investigations and mechanisms revelation. Advanced Materials Letters 02/2017; 8(3):276-282., DOI:10.5185/amlett.2017.1440

• G.L. Kabongo, G.H. Mhlongo, B.M. Mothudi, K.T. Hillie, P.S. Mbule, M.S. Dhlamini: Structural, Photoluminescence and XPS properties of Tm3+ ions in ZnO nanostructures. DOI:10.1016/j.jlumin.2017.02.024

• S. Khamlich, T. Khamliche, M.S. Dhlamini, M. Khenfouch, B.M. Mothudi, M. Maaza: Rapid microwave-assisted growth of silver nanoparticles on 3D graphene networks for supercapacitor application. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 01/2017; 493., DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2017.01.020

• Fokotsa V Molefe, Mohammed Khenfouch, Mokhotjwa S Dhlamini, Bakang M Mothudi: Spectroscopic investigation of charge and energy transfer in P3HT/GO nanocomposite for solar cell applications. Advanced Materials Letters 12/2016; 2017(8(3)):246-250., DOI:10.5185/amlett.2017.1409

• K.Obi Reddy, C. Uma Maheswari, M.S. Dhlamini, B.M. Mothudi, Jinming Zhang, Jun Zhang, Rajini Nagarajan, A. Varada Rajulu: Preparation and characterization of regenerated cellulose films using borassus fruit fibers and an ionic liquid. Carbohydrate Polymers 12/2016; 160., DOI:10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.12.051

• A Diallo, T.B. Doyle, B.M. Mothudi, E. Manikandan, V. Rajendran, M. Maaza: Magnetic behavior of biosynthesized Co3O4 nanoparticles. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 10/2016; 424., DOI:10.1016/j.jmmm.2016.10.063

• Guy L Kabongo, Pontsho S Mbule, Gugu H Mhlongo, Bakang M Mothudi, Kenneth T Hillie, Mokhotjwa S Dhlamini: Photoluminescence Quenching and Enhanced Optical Conductivity of P3HT- Derived Ho 3+ -Doped ZnO Nanostructures. Nanoscale Research Letters 09/2016; 11(1)., DOI:10.1186/s11671-016-1630-3
• P.S. Mbule, O.M. Ntwaeaborwa, B.M. Mothudi, M.S. Dhlamini: Structural and Optical characterization of nanoparticulate manganese doped zinc silicate phosphors prepared by sol-gel and combustion methods. Journal of Luminescence 06/2016; 179., DOI:10.1016/j.jlumin.2016.06.048

• LL Noto, SKK Shaat, Dirk Poelman, MS Dhlamini, BM Mothudi, HC Swart: Structure, photoluminescence and thermoluminescence study of a composite ZnTa2O6/ZnGa2O4 compound doped with Pr3+. Optical Materials 05/2016; 55:68., DOI:10.1016/j.optmat.2016.03.029

• Abdoulaye Diallo, Bakang M. Mothudi, Elayaperumal Manikandan, Malik Maaza: Luminescent Eu 2 O 3 nanocrystals by Aspalathus linearis ’ extract: structural and optical properties. Journal of Nanophotonics 04/2016; 10(2):026010., DOI:10.1117/1.JNP.10.026010

• M. Khenfouch, R. Minnis Ndimba, A. Diallo, S. Khamlich, M. Hamzah, M. S. Dhlamini, B. M. Mothudi, M. Baitoul, V. V. Srinivasu, M. Maaza: Artemisia herba-alba Asso eco-friendly reduced few-layered graphene oxide nanosheets: Structural investigations and physical properties. Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews 04/2016; 9(2):122-131., DOI:10.1080/17518253.2016.1181791

• L.L. Noto, S.K.K. Shaat, Dirk Poelman, M.S. Dhlamini, B.M. Mothudi, H.C. Swart: Cathodoluminescence mapping and thermoluminescence of Pr3+ doped in a CaTiO3/CaGa2O4 composite phosphor. Ceramics International 03/2016; 42(8)., DOI:10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.03.070

• Sweety Sarma, Bakang Moses Mothudi, Mokhotjwa Simon Dhlamini: Observed coexistence of memristive, memcapacitive and meminductive characteristics in polyvinyl alcohol/cadmium sulphide nanocomposites. Journal of Materials Science Materials in Electronics 01/2016; 27(5)., DOI:10.1007/s10854-016-4330-y

• Issam Derkaoui, Mohammed Khenfouch, Ibrahim Elmokri, Sabata Jonas Moloi, Bakang Moses Mothudi, Mokhotjwa Simon Dhlamini, Malik Maaza, Izeddine Zorkani, Anouar Jorio: Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Graphene Nanosheets on the Optical-Electrical Properties of Vanadium Oxide Nanocomposites. Graphene 01/2016; 05(01):14-24., DOI:10.4236/graphene.2016.51002

• A. Karoro, Z.Y. Nuru, L. Kotsedi, Kh. Bouziane, B.M. Mothudi, M. Maaza: Selective Solar Absorbers’ Properties of Laser Treated Electrodeposited Tubular Co-Al2O3 Nanocomposites. DOI:10.1016/j.matpr.2015.08.032

• S. Sarma, B. M. Mothudi, M. S. Dhlamini: Unipolar resistive switching behaviour of copper doped polyvinyl alcohol/lead sulphide quantum dot device. Journal of Materials Science Materials in Electronics 12/2015; 27(4)., DOI:10.1007/s10854-015-4223-5

• S. Khamlich, T. Mokrani, M.S. Dhlamini, B.M. Mothudi, M. Maaza: Microwave-assisted synthesis of simonkolleite nanoplatelets on nickel foam-graphene with enhanced surface area for high-performance supercapacitors. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 09/2015; 461., DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2015.09.033

• A. Karoro, Z.Y. Nuru, L. Kotsedi, Kh. Bouziane, B.M. Mothudi, M. Maaza: Laser nanostructured Co nanocylinders-Al2O3 cermets for enhanced & flexible solar selective absorbers applications. Applied Surface Science 08/2015; 347:679-684., DOI:10.1016/j.apsusc.2015.04.098

• Hendrik C Swart, Odireleng M Ntwaeaborwa, Pontsho S Mbule, Mokhotjwa S Dhlamini, Bakang B Mothudi: P3HT: PCBM Based Solar Cells: A Short Review Focusing on ZnO Nanoparticles Buffer Layer, Post-Fabrication Annealing and an Inverted Geometry. DOI:10.17265/2161-6221/2015.1-2.002

• Guy L. Kabongo, Gugu H. Mhlongo, Thomas Malwela, Bakang M. Mothudi, Kenneth T. Hillie, Mokhotjwa S. Dhlamini: Microstructural and photoluminescence properties of sol–gel derived Tb3+ doped ZnO nanocrystals. Journal of Alloys and Compounds 04/2014; 591:156–163., DOI:10.1016/j.jallcom.2013.12.075

• G.L. Kabongo, G.H. Mhlongo, B.M. Mothudi, K.T. Hillie, H.C. Swart, M.S. Dhlamini: Enhanced exciton emission from ZnO nano-phosphor induced by Yb3+ ions. Materials Letters 03/2014; 119:71–74., DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2013.12.07

• H.C. Swart, J.J. Terblans, O.M. Ntwaeaborwa, R.E. Kroon, B.M. Mothudi: PL and CL degradation and characteristics of SrAl2O4: Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphors. Physica B Condensed Matter 05/2012; 407(10):1664–1667., DOI:10.1016/j.physb.2011.09.112

• B.M. Mothudi, O.M. Ntwaeaborwa, A. Kumar, K. Sohn, H.C. Swart: Phosphorescent and thermoluminescent properties of SrAl 2O 4:Eu 2+, Dy 3+ phosphors prepared by solid state reaction method. Physica B Condensed Matter 05/2012; 407(10)., DOI:10.1016/j.physb.2011.10.033

• B. M. Mothudi, M. A. Lephoto, O. M. Ntwaeaborwa, J. R. Botha, H. C. Swart: Thermoluminescent and stuctural properties of BaAl 2O 4:Eu 2+,Nd 3+,Gd 3+phosphors prepared by combustion method. Physica B Condensed Matter 05/2012; 407(10)., DOI:10.1016/j.physb.2011.09.100

• M.A. Lephoto, O.M. Ntwaeaborwa, Shreyas S. Pitale, H.C. Swart, J.R. Botha, B.M. Mothudi: Synthesis and characterization of BaAl 2O 4:Eu 2+ co-doped with different rare earth ions. Physica B Condensed Matter 05/2012; 407(10-10):1603-1606., DOI:10.1016/j.physb.2011.09.096
• H C Swart, J J Terblans, O M Ntwaeaborwa, R E Kroon, B M Mothudi: Author's personal copy PL and CL degradation and characteristics of SrAl 2 O 4 : Eu 2 þ ,Dy 3 þ phosphors. Physica B Condensed Matter 05/2012; 407(10):1664

• B.M. Mothudi, O.M. Ntwaeaborwa, Shreyas S. Pitale, H.C. Swart: Luminescent properties of Ca0.97Al2O4:Eu-0.01(2+),DY0.023+ phosphors prepared by combustion method at different initiating temperatures. Journal of Alloys and Compounds 10/2010; 508(2):262-265., DOI:10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.08.113

• B M Mothudi, O M Ntwaeaborwa, S S Pitale, H C Swart: Luminescent properties of Ca0.97Al2O 4:Eu0.01 2+,Dy0.02 3+ phosphors prepared by combustion method at different initiating temperatures. Journal of Alloys and Compounds 01/2010; 508(2):262-265.

• B.M. Mothudi, O.M. Ntwaeaborwa, J.R. Botha, H.C. Swart: Photoluminescence and phosphorescence properties of MAl2O4:Eu 2+, Dy 3+ (M=Ca, Ba, Sr) phosphors prepared at an initiating combustion temperature of 500 °C. Physica B Condensed Matter 12/2009; 404(22):4440-4444., DOI:10.1016/j.physb.2009.09.047

• H. C. Swart, J. J. Terblans, O. M. Ntwaeaborwa, E. Coetsee, B. M. Mothudi, M. S. Dhlamini: Photon emission mechanisms of different phosphors. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms 08/2009; 267(16):2630-2633., DOI:10.1016/j.nimb.2009.05.041

• H C Swart, J J Terblans, O M Ntwaeaborwa, E Coetsee, B M Mothudi, M S Dhlamini: Author's personal copy Photon emission mechanisms of different phosphors. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms 05/2009

• DV Mlotswa, LL Noto, SJ Mofokeng, KO Obodo, VR Orante-Barrón, BM Mothudi, Luminescence dynamics of MgGa2O4 prepared by solution combustion synthesis, Optical Materials (2020)109, 110134
• Kabongo G, Mbule P, Mhlongo G,Mothudi B,Dhlamini M, Time-resolved fluorescence decay and Gaussian analysis of P3HT-derived Ho3+ - and Tm3+ -doped ZnO nanostructures,Bulletin of Materials Science (2020) 43(1)
• Achehboune M, Khenfouch M,Boukhoubza I, Mothudi B,Zorkani I, Jorio A, Holmium (Ho)-coated ZnO nanorods: an investigation of optoelectronic properties,Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics (2020) 31(6) 4595-4604
• Boukhoubza I,Khenfouch M,Achehboune M,Leontie L,Carlescu A,Doroftei C, Mothudi B,Zorkani I, Jorio A, Graphene oxide coated flower-shaped ZnO nanorods: Optoelectronic properties, Journal of Alloys and Compounds (2020) 831
• L.E.Mathevula,B.M.Mothudi,M.S.Dhlamini,Effect of Er3+ on structural and optical properties of microwave synthesized α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles, Physica B: Condensed Matter,Volume 578, (2020), 411698

• C3 NRF rating (2020-2026)

• Transparent conducting oxide for organic solar cells applications

• Nanostructured Solar Selective Absorber Coatings for Applications in Concentrated Solar

• Thermal Plants – Parabolic Trough Structural and optical properties of biosynthesized Europium oxide

• Nanostructured graphene donor hybrid solar cells.

• Nanostructured Thin Films Based Selective Solar Absorber for Concentrating Solar Power Application

• ZnO: Er3+, Yb3+ up-converter for efficiency enhancement in P3HT – based organic solar cells.

• Thermoluminescence for the defect study in persistent luminescence materials

Research Focus

My research area interest is on the development of nanostructured materials used to enhance the properties of long persistent phosphors, solar cells and selective solar absorbers. To improve the properties of nanostructured materials, I use various synthesize methods such as green synthesis, combustion, solid state reaction and sol-gel. I use various techniques to study the optical, electrical and structural properties of these materials. My projects involve fabrication of multilayer thin-film solar absorbers suitable for concentrating solar power (CSP) plants and nanostructured graphene hybrid solar cells.