College of Agriculture, Engineering
and Science (CAES)

Dr Samantha Ndlovu with her sons, Smelokuhle (centre) and Sphosethu Ndlovu.

Chemist Addresses Energy Crisis Through Nanocomposite Solar Cells

Choosing to tackle the ongoing energy crisis in South Africa, budding young chemist and Pongola resident, Dr Samantha Ndlovu, embarked upon a PhD project that would contribute to sustainable energy sources and alleviate supply and consumption challenges.

She fabricated a renewable and novel solar energy device using perovskite/graphene-based nanocomposite. The improved solar cells provided excellent electrical efficiency, and her project addressed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 7, ie, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

‘I aimed to replace electricity load-shedding with the use of renewable and robust nanomaterial to harvest light and convert it to electrical energy without the emission of any toxic gases,’ said Ndlovu. Her PhD project, which was supervised by Professor Vincent Nyamori, was titled: “Synthesis and Characterization of Sr0.7Sm0.3FexCo1-xO3-d and Reduced Graphene Oxide-based Nanocomposites for Application in Hybrid Solar Cells”.

‘From honours level and over the past decade, I have witnessed Samantha grow and advance in her research,’ said Nyamori. ‘Her work is focused on developing efficient solar cells with cost-effective nanomaterials to alleviate global energy supply and consumption challenges. These improved solar cells should substitute the current market of silicon-based solar cells, which have dominated for decades but are relatively more expensive to produce than other types of solar panels and have unfavourable environmental concerns.

‘In the case of South Africa and Africa as a continent, sunlight is an energy source that can be enhanced anywhere, including remote areas with no or minimal infrastructure or connection. Samantha’s research is therefore very relevant to society and its immediate needs since it seeks and provides a means to sustainable, affordable energy solutions.’

Ndlovu fell in love with Chemistry, specifically the Energy sector, because it allowed her to do relevant and impactful research for society. Her findings have been published in high-impact factor journals, attesting to her innovative ability.

The young chemist has won several awards during the course of her academic journey, including Best Oral Presentation at the 10th Annual Nanoscience Young Researchers’ Symposium, the UKZN Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium, the South African Chemical Institute (SACI) Postgraduate Colloquium, and the National Young Scientists Symposium (all in 2021). She represented the School of Chemistry and Physics at the Three Minute Thesis Competition where she just missed out on the first prize at the College level. In addition, she participated in the Global Young Scientists Summit in 2022.

Ndlovu acted as a role model and mentor to other postgraduate and honours students in her laboratory and regularly assisted with SACI events. She received several bursaries during her studies, including the Moses Kotane Institute Bursary, the National Research Foundation (NRF) Innovation for Doctoral Scholarship, the Scarce Skills for Masters Scholarship, and the Levenstein PG Trust Honours Bursary.

She thanked her supervisor, Professor Vincent Nyamori; foster grandmother, Mrs Lungile Ndlangamandla; and her son, Sphosethu Slungile Ndlovu, who she said ‘puts a smile on my face during both the challenging and good times.’

‘My studies have been a long and unforgettable journey with a happy ending,’ she said. ‘In 2022, I lost my dear brother, Sandile, who was my pillar of strength and my biggest supporter. During my postgraduate studies, I welcomed my handsome son, Sphosethu in 2014, and in 2024, welcomed another handsome son, Smelokuhle.

‘From a young age, I wanted to study at UKZN because of its excellence and great research reputation,’ said Ndlovu, who has applied for several positions as a postdoctoral researcher and hopes to embark upon a career in academia so that she can inspire other students.

‘I want to congratulate Samantha on her exemplary performance,’ said Nyamori. ‘Her excellent and interesting research findings were based on her hard and smart work, positive attitude, high motivation and remarkable resilience. Apart from her challenging research project, she faced some severe personal hurdles and family tragedies that many would succumb to, but she emerged triumphant, owing to her exemplary resilient character and a vision to succeed. She is remarkable. As the saying goes: “Storms make trees take deeper roots”.’

‘I want to send my sincere gratitude to Lungile Ndlangamandla and MamBhengu Thobile who have contributed to making my graduation day a success,’ said Ndlovu. ‘I dedicate this PhD degree to my late parents. It has been a tough journey working on my research, but with God by my side, I have done exceptional work. UNyazi LweZulu luyindlela yeqiniso.’ This is a slogan used by the Nazareth Baptist Church (widely known as iSonto lakwaShembe), which means: “Shembe is the way of the truth”.

Words: Sally Frost

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini