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A comperative study of justice dispensation in Oyo and Zulu traditional administrative structures.
No full textA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of History at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2018.The study compared justice dispensation in Oyo and Zulu traditional administrative
structures. The specific objectives of the study were to explain, the purpose of customary
courts in dispute resolution, the courts processes, litigation procedures, the impact of
foreign contact on traditional and judicial administration, justice dispensation, separation
of power were all examined. The study investigate the justice dispensation in customary
courts among Oyo people of western Nigeria and Zulu people of KwaZulu-Natal, South
Africa.The study adopted the pragmatist research paradigm which combines both
qualitative and quantitative research methods, the study largely used a survey design
approach, the sample of the study was drawn the chiefs, palace officials, professional
historians, and knowledgeable people on the research topic. The chiefs were interviewed
because they were actively involved in justice dispensation in customary courts. Because
of their experience over years in peace keeping and conflict settlement among the people
of Africa. The random sampling technique was used to select the respondents for the
study. The questionnaire was administered to the 120 respondents, 85 (70.83%) of whom
returned the questionnaire, interviewed were also conducted with the chiefs in Oyo and
Zulu. The quantitative aspect of the study was analysed using descriptive simple
percentage methods, while the qualitative aspect of the data was analysed through the use
of qualitative contents analysis.The findings revealed that the social demographic
variables such as age, years, experience are were all important in justice dispensation in
customary courts. The findings also revealed that there were due processes in customary
courts administration before hearing will take place, chiefs are at liberty not only to cross-
examine witnesses but also to ensure that the parties are fairly treated. The customary
courts provided cheap, informal, flexible and speedy access to justice. The study now
conclude that procedural and evidentiary approaches is to promote reconciliation and
finding a mutually and acceptable solution to the dispute in our societies.
Key words: Customary courts, Procedures, Justice Dispensation, Traditional chiefs,
Plaintiff
Nickel and cobalt sulfide nanomaterials for magnetic and energy applications
Get PDFA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Zululand, 2018.This thesis reports the symthesis of five metal complexes, namely bis(piperidinylldithiocarbamato)nickel(II) (1), bis(tetrahydroquinolinyldithiocarbamato)nickel(II) (2), bis(N’-ethyl-N-piperazinyldithiocarbamato)nickel(II) (3), tris(morpholinodithiocarbamato)cobalt(III) (4) and tris(N’-ethyl-N-piperazinyldithiocarbamato)cobalt(III) (5). These heterocyclic dithiocarbamate complexes have been characterised using common techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements were not conducted for complexes, due to their paramagnetic behaviour which adversely interferes with the technique. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was used instead, which aided in the accurate elucidation of novel chemical structures of the complexes. Three complexes were characterised using the technique; the chemical structures of the rest are already known in literature. Generally, dithiocarbamate complexes have been identified as compounds of technological importance, particularly as single-source molecular precursors for the fabrication of nanomaterials for widespread applications. However, interest has mainly been on alkyl derivatives. Thus, this thesis focuses on the use of heterocyclic dithiocarbamates complexes as single-source molecular precursors for the fabrication of the corresponding metal sulfide thin films and nanoparticles through thermal decomposition routes.
Thermal decomposition of the complexes (1)-(5) produced Ni-S, Co-S and Ni-Co-S nanoparticles and thin films which exhibited interesting morphological and optoelectronic properties. The above-mentioned systems were particularly chosen for their increased interest in magnetism, as well as energy generation and storage applications. In this thesis, the nature of the complexes and other reaction parameters were demonstrated to have an influence on the particle size, morphology, and phase purity of the nanoparticles and thin films produced. These properties have a profound impact on the efficiency of the nanoparticles and thin films, towards specific applications.
The work presented in chapter two aimed at establishing reactions protocols suitable to to produce good quality nanoparticles using the solvent thermolysis approach. The complexes (1), (2) and (3) afforded NixSy nanoparticles displaying various morphologies (spheres, rods, irregular tetrahedral, nanospheres and irregular shapes) which were identified mainly by the x
transmission electron microscopy imaging technique. Furthermore, it was discovered that docecylamine and hexadecylamine capping agents produced phase pure Ni3S4 and Ni3S2, respectively; phase identification was conducted using the powder X-ray diffraction technique. On the contrary, oleylamine capping agent produced mixed phase NixSy nanoparticles from complexes (1) and (2) while complex (3) afforded phase-pure Ni3S2. Magnetic measurements identified Ni3S4 and Ni3S2 nanoparticles to possess ferromagnetic and paramagnetic behaviours, respectively. Chapter 3 reports the deposition of thin films using the same three complexes by the aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition method; NiS phase thin films were predominantly formed. The scanning electron microscopy imaging technique showed the films to display various morphologies.
Chapter 4 focuses on the catalytic evaluation of Co3S4 nanoparticles (with minor CoS2 impurities) in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction reaction (HER) and supercapacitance applications. The nanoparticles were prepared from complex (4) by a facile olelylamine-mediated hot injection method. The OER catalytic performance of nanoparticles prepared at 230 ºC and 260 ºC showed the overpotential of 307 mV and 276 mV, respectively. The specific capacitance and specific stability for the nanoparticles prepared at 230 ºC are 298 F/g and 73%, respectively. Nanoparticles prepared at 260 ºC achieved 440 F/g and 97%. The efficiency was measured after 5000 cycles. These results indicated that the prepared materials are good candidates for efficient energy generation and energy storage devices.
Chapter 5 reports the use of complexes (3) and (5) as dual precursors for the Ni-Co-S ternary material. Though thiospinels structure show interesting catalytic and energy storage applications, the cationic disorder can have major influence on the energy generation and/or energy storage applications. In this work, the effect of stoichiometric variation of metals in a thiospinel i.e. NixCo3-xS4 was examined on energy generation and storage properties. Nickel or cobalt-rich NixCo3-xS4 nanosheets were prepared by the oleylamine-mediated hot injection method. It was observed that nickel-rich and cobalt-rich nanosheet have different performances when tested for OER and HER, as well as supercapacitance performance. It was observed that the nickel-rich NixCo3-xS4 nanosheets have superior energy generation and storage properties
Genome data mining, identification, annotation and phylogenetic analysis of P450s in pathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University Of Zululand, 2018Conidiobolus coronatus, an entomopathogenic fungus, has the ability to infect humans and other animals (human, horse, sheep and dog), apart from insects. C. coronatus causes conidiobolomycosis in humans, which is considered a rare and neglected disease. Conidiobolomycosis is a disease of the nasal submucosa and paranasal sinuses, which slowly spreads to the nasal skin, glabella, cheek, upper lip and pharynx. Infection of the nasal and paranasal mucocutaneous tissue is known as rhinoentomophthoramycosis. None of the currently available treatments was found to be efficient in treating this fungal infection, including treatment with azole drugs, which target cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs/P450s). P450s are heme-thiolate proteins and well-known drug targets against microbial pathogens. Despite the great importance of P450s, no information on C. coronatus P450s is available. Here, for the first time, we present comprehensive in silico analysis of C. coronatus P450s. Genome wide data-mining and annotation of P450s in C. coronatus revealed the presence of 142 P450s in its genome, the highest number of P450s compared to other entomopathogenic fungi. P450 annotation revealed the presence of a large number of new P450s in C. coronatus. All 142 P450s were grouped into 12 P450 families and 21 P450 subfamilies. Except for CYP51, the most conserved P450 in fungi and well-known target of azole drugs, the other 11 P450 families are new. The new P450 families identified in C. coronatus include CYP5854-CYP5864. It is interesting that apart from CYP51, C. coronatus did not share any more P450s with other entomopathogenic fungi. Analysis of family and subfamily dynamics in C. coronatus revealed that among 12 P450 families, only five P450 families, namely CYP5854, CYP5855, CYP5856, CYP5858 and CYP5857, are highly bloomed. The highest number of member P450s was found in CYP5854 (48 P450s), followed by CYP5855 (36 P450s), CYP5856 (20 P450s), CYP5858 (11 P450s) and CYP5857 (10 P450s). These five P450 families contributed 88% of the total number of P450s in C. coronatus. Because of the blooming of these five P450 families, C. coronatus was found to have the lowest P450 diversity among entomopathogenic fungi. It is noteworthy that P450 blooms were not observed in other entomopathogenic fungi. Synteny and gene-structure analysis revealed that 75% of C. coronatus P450s are tandemly duplicated. These study results paved the way to understanding the nature/need for blooming of P450 families in C. coronatus
Resilience among orphans and vulnerable children in KwaZulu- Natal schools: towards a psychosocial model of intervention
No full textA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at the University of Zululand, 2018This study investigated the resilience among Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in KwaZulu-Natal schools. It identified OVC challenges and developed a psychosocial model of intervention. The Social Ecological Model was adopted as a framework for the study. The study adopted the mixed method research design. The population for the study was the OVC, caregivers and teachers from Kwazulu-Natal schools, specifically Amajuba and Zululand Districts. Random selection was done for OVC from mainstream schools. Purposive sampling method was used to select OVC from special schools, schools near the orphanage, home of safety and a Full Service school. The sample which participated during quantitative data collection consisted of 303 OVC from 12 to 20 years old who were selected from 7 school in Amajuba and Zululand Districts.The sample which participated in qualitative data collection consisted of 4 focus groups and those were 6 caregivers, 6 teachers and 12 OVC. OVC were selected from 303 OVC who filled the questionnaires and CYRM-28. This made a total of 24 participants for focus groups. The total of participants for the whole study was 315. Three instruments were used to collect data for this study, namely; the Child and Youth Resilience Scale-28 (CYRM-28), the self-constructed psychosocial questionnaire and the interview schedule. The CYRM-28 was used to measure the extent of OVC resilience with the self-constructed questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data. Frequencies were created for descriptive data and the Chi-Square statistical technique was used to test the null hypothesis. Then the thematic content analysis was used to identify themes from the focus group interviews. The results of descriptive statistics indicated that 79% of all participants reported high availability of resources that enabled resilience. Fewer resources were reported for children who had experienced abuse, followed by those with disabilities and more resources were reported for orphans. The main challenges of OVC identified were lack of support from teachers and neighbours/ communities. Other challenges included maltreatment by caregiver, OVC behavioural problems, unavailability of documents for social grant applications. Child Headed Household was identified as lacking all resources. The findings of inferential statistics indicated that there is a significant relationship between the age, gender and custody of OVC and their availability of resources. OVC and caregivers encountered various problems which were risk factors for the resilience of OVC. Availability of resources to a majority of OVC who participated in the study was a protective factor. Participants recommended that more resources which promote resilience of OVC be made available to communities, for examples, old age homes, and entrepreneurship skills, continuous counselling services for caregivers and OVC and recreational facilities for communities. Lastly, the psychosocial model of intervention was developed based on the literature and findings of the study.Natonal Research Foundation
National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS
Implementation of annual national assessment in the intermediate phase at King Cetshwayo district schools
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University Of Zululand, 2018The purpose of this study was to understand the efficacy of the implementation of Annual National Assessment (ANA). In this study, the researcher chose King Cetshwayo District and Mthunzini circuit as a field of investigation. The investigation was conducted using a mixed method approach which was driven by both qualititave and quantitative approach. In this case, the Intermediate Phase schools were the main target to select a sample of 75 participants. All these randomly selected educators answered a questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions while five Heads of Departments (HoDs) and five educators were purposively selected to participate in the in-depth interview session. The main objectives of the investigation were to: (a) explore teachers’ views about the implementation of ANA in the Intermediate Phase; (b) find out teachers’ perspectives of on the use of ANA as diagnostic assessment tool; and (c) find out about the impact of ANA on learner performance in English First Additional Language. The findings revealed that the majority of educators complained about lack of training, administration including time in which ANA is written, exposure of underperforming schools and methods of teaching which encourage rote learning. Most educators were unhappy that their district officials were not supportive during the administration phase. Educators raised concerns that Grade 4 learners have difficulty in understanding the questions since it is their first year of using English as Language of Learning and Teaching. Some educators indicated that they have not been sent to ANA workshops yet they are expected to administer the assessment. Based on the findings, the researcher realised that the objectives of the implementation of ANA were not achieved in some schools due to the negative attitude displayed by educators towards ANA. The inconsistency of the test questions makes it difficult for the Department of Basic Education to ascertain whether or not there is any improvement in ANA results. The researcher recommends that in order for ANA to be successfully implemented, the school management teams and the subject advisors have to work closely with Intermediate Phase educators and provide necessary resources and support
Curriculum assessment policy statement support programme for Vhembe rural- based primary schools educators
Get PDFA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor Of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University of Zululand, 2018The Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) was adopted based on the principles of the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) to improve the quality of education in both rural and urban areas since the change-over from apartheid education in 1994. The new curriculum was also introduced in order to shift from content to outcomes-based education which experienced marked implementation challenges. The main aim of this study was to investigate challenges facing educators in schools in the rural areas in the implementation of CAPS and develop a support programme for them to promote the quality of teaching and learning in these rural schools. This quantitative study used simple random sampling using a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from five hundred rural based educators. The instrument was shaped and enriched by consulting a wide range of literature on the subject to ensure its validity. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science 18 (SPSS 18) and Chi- square statistics. Results established challenges that educators are facing through lack of support programmes in the process of implementing CAPS in rural schools. It was also revealed that the majority of rural educators are not effective in implementing CAPS as they are not given support programmes. The findings of this study should assist in developing a support programme for rural based educators towards implementing the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement in a manner that it would promote quality teaching and learning. The study concludes that rural educators need to be supported for the implementation of Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement. The study recommends the implementation of the support programme to rural educators for the effective implementation of CAPS. Further research into the development of support programme in South African rural educators should be undertaken.National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant Number: CPT160513164973 and 105246)
Green synthesis of Europium (III) Oxide nanoparticles using Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract
Get PDFA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Science in the Department of Physics and Engineering at the University of Zululand, 2018Nowadays there is a need to develop eco-friendly processes, inexpensive and nontoxic chemical use in the synthesis protocol in order to obtain biocompatible and harmless nanoparticles. Green chemistry approach is the eco-friendly process which has taken the researchers attention globally due to its advantages over conventional methods. This ecological method has potential in transforming the inorganic metal ions into metal oxides NPs via the bio-reduction of molecules present in the particular organism. This contribution reports on the synthesis, the main physical and optical properties of Europium (III) oxide (Eu2O3) nanocrystals synthesized for the first time by a completely green physical-chemistry process using Hibiscus sabdariffa (HB) natural flower extract and Europium nitrate pentahydrate (Eu(NO3)3.5H2O) salts as a precursor. The HB natural extract solution was used as a reducing agent for the production of Eu2O3 nanoparticles. The 1 g of EuN3O9.5H2O was dissolve in 100 ml of HB extract solution. The precipitate obtained was dried in the oven set at 100oC and thereafter annealed for 2 hrs at various temperature; 300oC, 500oC and 700oC using a standard furnace. The structural and optical properties of such biosynthesis nanocrystals were analyzed using High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Electron Dispersive X-rays Spectroscopy (EDS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet and visible spectrometer (UV-Vis-NIR) as well as room temperature photoluminescence (PL). The HRTEM and SEM results showed the images of small NPs formed, which indicated that the Eu2O3 NPs are nano-scaled with a mixed population of crystalline particles. The TEM and XRD analysis showed grain size of nanoparticles ranging between 14 nm and 25 nm. The XRD results confirmed the characteristic body centered cubic (BCC) structure of Eu2O3 nanoparticles and the UV-Vis proved that Eu2O3 absorbs in a wide range of electromagnetic wave from ultraviolet region. The luminescence properties of such cubic were characterized by an intense red emission centered at 614.93 nm (5D0-7F2). It was observed that a biosynthesized cubic Eu2O3 nanocrystal is an efficient luminescence material due to a very good luminescent response with potential application as red phosphors. These results represent an important step forward in the investigation of Eu2O3 nanoparticles properties synthesized via green chemistry process. It is a promising cost-effective path and energy wise non-consuming with zero waste end products for highly stable and well-characterized nanoparticles. The green synthesized Eu2O3 nanoparticles would be beneficial for the development of nontoxic, clean and environmentally friendly biosynthesis procedure.National Research Foundation Of South Africa
iThemba LABS
UNESCO-UNISA African Chair in Nanoscience and Nanotechnolog
The effectiveness of the process, product and process-product approaches in the development of writing skills in the senior phase
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty Of Education in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University Of Zululand, 2018The teaching of English First Additional Language in South African schools, towards
the development of learners’ writing skills, requires the employment of the process
approach (DBE 2011: 10). The Department of Basic Education (DBE) clarifies that
when learners write, they will need to use the writing process approach so as to
produce coherent sentences without grammatical errors (2011: 36). The aim of this
study is to compare and contrast the relative effectiveness of the process approach,
product approach and the combination of these two approaches known as the
process-product approach, in the development of English First Additional Language
(FAL) writing skills in the Senior Phase. Three groups of Grade 8 and 9 English FAL
learners, comprising of a sample of 186 learners from Quintile 3 schools in uMhlathuze Circuit Management under King Cetshwayo District were investigated so as to find out if they would develop good paragraph writing skills when exposed to several instructional interventions using any of the three approaches. The analysis of results is based on the Quasi-Experimental design which follows the pre-test-treatment-posttest model using the mixed methodology. It assumes the multi-method strategy as quan+QUAL (the lower case quan- explains the lower priority of the quantitative orientation). Consequently, the quantitative results are used to confirm the qualitative results. Findings of this study proved that when both the process and product approaches are combined and used recursively, and in a complementary manner as the process-product approach, they significantly yield higher results in developing the paragraph writing skills of English FAL learners in the Senior Phase than when each approach is used exclusively
Experiences of mental health care providers regarding integration of mental health care into primary health care at the Ilembe health district in KwaZulu- Natal
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Department of Nursing Sciences in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology in the Faculty Science and Agriculture at the University of Zululand, 2018.Institutionalisation of mental health care users was a prevalent treatment approach
in the apartheid era in South Africa. The introduction of community based mental
health care is aimed at improving mental health care services, and this integration
into primary health care improves access to mental health services, enables
mental health care users to maintain family relationships, to be employment while
receiving treatment and to access psychosocial rehabilitation. The professional
nurses are rendering mental health care services at the primary health care level
implementing the integration
Thiosemicarbazone, xanthate and dithiocarbamate single source precursors for cadmium, lead and indium sulfide nanoparticles
Get PDFThesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) In the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Zululand, 2019.The work outlined in this thesis entails recent advances in reaction protocols to afford high quality nanoparticles. It also incorporates practices of green chemistry to ascertain that the quality of nanoparticles does not take precedence over environmental impacts, pre and post-synthetic processes. Furthermore, the work has provided a step towards opening new horizons in the research field of nanoparticles and related nanomaterials, particularly on introducing other reaction parameters which have not been either explored or exploited prior to this work. All the aspects mentioned above have, and not limited to, been objectives of the individual studies presented in this work. Thus, they have been easily dealt with following a chapter approach, as outlined below.
In the first chapter, the emphasis is on the fundamental aspects of nanomaterials and nanoscience. The scope of this literature review chapter is narrowed to synthetic protocols which provide access to the manipulation of the properties of the nanomaterials to suit a specific application. The synthetic protocols focus on the use of metal-organic compounds as molecular sources; a similar approach which has been applied in the studies reported in this thesis. Examples on common applications that exploit the properties of the nanomaterials are also outlined briefly.
In the second chapter, eight CdX2 (X = Clˉ, Iˉ) thiosemicarbazone complexes were prepared and subsequently evaluated as single source molecular precursors towards the fabrication of oleylamine-capped CdS nanoparticles through a solvent thermolysis route. Various reaction parameters were explored with respect to the properties of the nanoparticles obtained. A combination of reaction temperature and the nature of ligands on the Cd(II) centre showed a significant influence on the particle size, morphology and optical absorption properties of the nanoparticles. Different analytical tools were used to establish the properties of the nanoparticles, among them are powder X-ray diffraction, the transmission electron microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The chapter recognized the crucial importance of facilitating ligand addition reaction as opposed to the common practice of substitution reaction in the preparation of single source molecular precursors. This retains the halide ligands present in the parent metal halide salt used. These halide ligands were found to have
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a relatively major influence on the particle size, morphology and absorption optical properties compared to the thiosemicarbazone ligands.
The third chapter reports the work which is a sequel to the second chapter, albeit investigating the broader halide series (i.e. Clˉ, Iˉ and Brˉ) and a non-halogenated counterpart on the material mostly reported to prefer a cubic-like morphology, PbS. Thus, the study focused mainly on the morphology control. For this purpose, one thiosemicarbazone ligand was chosen due to the consistency in trends observed in the previous chapter, while the halide ligands were varied. Four Pb(II) cinnamaldehyde thiosemicarbazone complexes were prepared and used for this study. Morphology control was significantly minor; however, particle shape could easily improve (to perfect cube) or deteriorate (to irregular cube) based on the combination of halide ligands and reaction temperature. Regardless of shape transformation, the particle sizes showed an increase with reaction temperature.
The main aim of the fourth chapter was to devise eco-friendly synthetic protocols to afford non-toxic semiconducting nanoparticles, an alternative to those reported in the previous two chapters. Although the class of thiosemicarbazone compounds used in the previous chapters are famously known for their excellent biological applications, complexation to toxic metal centres and oleylamine-mediation fabrication protocols to obtain CdS and PbS nanoparticles compromised the eco-friendly practice. Thus, in this chapter, non-toxic β-In2S3 and CuInS2 nanoparticles were prepared in two eco-friendly alternatives to oleylamine, which are castor oil and olive oil. Different classes of ligands (xanthates and dithiocarbamates) were investigated on their influence in the properties of the nanoparticles, in addition to the choice of capping agent and reaction temperature. Two In(III) and two Cu(II) complexes were used in this work. Very few reports on the use of these castor oil and olive oil capping agents are available, and none of them focus on the fabrication of non-toxic nanoparticles, marking this work a first of its kind.
The fifth chapter reports an additional eco-friendly approach to prepare indium sulfide, a continuation of the work reported in the fourth chapter. In this work, however, the use of capping agents is disregarded. Thus, low decomposition temperatures observed for the In(III) xanthate complexes used were found suitable for the proposed
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solventless fabrication route. The route entails the formation of indium sulfide through the thermal decomposition of complexes by solventless thermolysis and melt reaction mechanisms. This practical, inexpensive and a scalable greener route was able to afford various crystallographic phases which were identified through their good quality powder X-ray diffraction patterns. Phase transformation was largely influenced by both decomposition reaction temperature and the nature of the alkyl backbone of the xanthate ligands. Five In(III) xanthate complexes were used in this work, inclusive of one complex used in the fourth chapter. The study provided easy access to investigate the material obtained through mild conditions compared to the earlier traditional practice which used the multielement (indium metal + elemental sulfur) approach at excessive heat (>1000°C) resulting to explosions.
The final, sixth chapter, concludes on the progress outlined in the above-mentioned studies towards the eco-friendly reaction protocols for nanoparticles synthesis. The preparation of CdS and PbS nanoparticles using common reaction parameters was necessary to demonstrate the efficacy of alternative eco-friendly protocols to produce non-toxic β-In2S3 and CuInS2 nanoparticles exhibiting similar properties to the former materials. Advantages of using metal-organic as molecular precursors are outlined, based on the experimental results obtained from the studies