Prof. Charles J Sheppard

Overview

NRF Rating : C2 Chromium Research group: Research Interest and Capability: The Cr Research Group (CRG) focuses on the interesting magnetism observed in the arc-typical antiferromagnet Cr. Current research focuses on the physical properties of Cr-based bulk and thin film alloys. Research has further been extended to novel magnetism observed in chromite-based thin films and nanoparticles. The CRG laboratories house a state-of-the-art physical properties measurement system based on Cryogenic Limited, Cryogen Free Measurement Platform. This system can measure with the appropriate insert in a temperature range of 60mK to close to 1000deg C, within a magnetic field of a few milli-Tesla up to 14 Tesla. The CRG also houses an Empyrean X-ray diffractometer capable of powder-x-ray and high resolution and gracing incidence x-ray diffraction. The x-ray diffraction instrument is also fitted with a non-ambient furnace, making it possible to study the phase behaviour of alloys in a non-reactive atmosphere. Recent Research Publications: M. Mulibana, P. Mohanty, A.R.E. Prinsloo, C. J. Sheppard , B. S. Jacobs, “ Effects of Cr doping on the magnetic properties of one-dimensional spin chain system a–CoV 2 O 6 ”, AIP Advances 13 , 025023 (2023), DOI: 10.1063/9.0000530. H.S. Lokesha, K.R. Nagabhushana, F. Singh, N.R. Thejavathi, S.H. Tatumi, A.R.E. Prinsloo, C.J. Sheppard, “ 120 MeV swift Au 9+ ion induced phase transition in ZrO2: monoclinic to tetragonal and cubic to tetragonal structure ”, Journal of Physics: Condense Matter 35 , 135401 (2023), DOI: 10.1088/1361-648X/acb4d0. B. Bamana, A.R.E. Prinsloo, P. Mohanty, C.J. Sheppard , “ Magnetic phase transitions and magnetocaloric effect in DyCrTiO 5 nanoparticles ”, AIP Advances 13 , 025049 (2023), DOI: 10.1063/9.0000552. B. Sahu, U.K. Panigrahi, C.J. Sheppard , A.R.E. Prinsloo, P. Mohanty, P. Mallick, “ Structural and magnetic characteristics of NiO/NiFe 2 O 4 /a-Fe 2 O 3 nanocomposite ”, Material Chemistry and Physics 302, 127759 (2023), DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2023.127759. B Muchono, C.J. Sheppard , A.R.E. Sheppard, “ Effects of V on the physical properties of Cr 1-x Al x alloy system ”, Physica Scripta 98 , 065937 (2023), DOI: 10.1088/1402-4896/acd22a. H.S. Lokesha, A.R.E. Prinsloo, P. Mohanty, C.J. Sheppard , “ Impact of Cr doping on the structure, optical properties and magnetic properties of nanocrsytalline ZnO particles ”, Journal of Alloy and Compounds 960 , 170815 (2023), DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.170815. M. Jacob, A.R.E. Prinsloo, P. Mohanty, C.J. Sheppard , “ Size dependence of magnetic properties of Co 1–x Ni x )Cr 2 O 4 particles (x = 0.15, 0.20) ”, Materials Today Communications 37 , 107376 (2023), DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2023.107376. M. Liparo, J.-P. Jay, M. Dubreuil, G. Simon, A. Fessant, W. Jahjah, Y. Le Grand, C.J. Sheppard , A.R.E. Prinsloo, V. Vlaminck, V. Castel, L. Temdie-Kom, G. Bourcin, D. Spenato, D.T. Dekadjevi, “ Static and dynamic magnetization control of extrinsic multiferroics by the converse magnetophotostrictive effect ”, Communication Physics 6 , 356 (2023), DOI: 10.1038/s42005-023-01479-4. S. N. Bothma, C.J. Sheppard , M.M. Turnbull, C.P. Landee, M. Rademeyer, “ The odd–even effect in n-carboxyalkylammonium-containing organic–inorganic hybrids of Mn(ii) halides: structural and magnetic characterisation ”, Crystal Engineering Communications 25 , 6568 (2023), DOI: 10.1039/d3ce00855j. M. Mulibana, P. Mohanty, A.R.E Prinsloo, C.J. Sheppard , B.S. Jacobs, ” Effects of Cr doping and size reduction on the structural and magnetic properties of α–CoV 2 O 6 ”, Materials Today Communications 39, 108920 (2024) DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.108920. Publication Links: UJ Research Portal ORCID Google Scholar Web of Science