Bio-inorganic chemistry/ Medicinal chemistry
Synthesis of inorganic compound and organic molecules that aids drug discovery through effective target validation. Creation of hit-lead -drug candidates; development of diagnostic methods; and molecular strategies in targeted delivery.
Staff Working in Bio-inorganic chemistry/ Medicinal chemistry
Prof Zenixole Tshentu (profile)
Email: zenixole.tshentu@mandela.ac.za
Dr Richard Betz
Email: Richard.Betz@mandela.ac.za
Dr Adeniyi Ogunlaja (profile)
Email: adeniyi.ogunlaja@mandela.ac.za
Dr Abubak'r Abrahams (profile)
Email: Abubak'r.Abrahams@mandela.ac.za
Synthesis and Natural products
Synthesis is the production of chemical compounds by reaction from simpler materials. The development of new molecules can be challenging and one requires novel techniques. Synthetic chemistry is very useful in mimicking Nature and allowing us to prepare complex molecules that are produced naturally but without disrupting the source itself. A natural product is a chemical compound that is found in nature. The history of medicines, flavourings and agrochemicals illustrates the central importance of natural products.
Staff Working in Synthesis and Natural products
Prof Benita Barton (profile)
Email: Benita.Barton@mandela.ac.za
Dr Neliswa Mama (profile)
Email: Neliswa.Mama@mandela.ac.za
Dr Buyiswa Hlangothi (profile)
Buyiswa.Hlangothi@mandela.ac.za
Prof Paul Watts (profile)
Email: Paul.Watts@mandela.ac.za
Dr Nicole Vorster
Email: nicole.vorster@mandela.ac.za
Materials
The preparation of functional materials with custom-designed properties (e.g. electronic, optical) is fundamental to breakthroughs in areas such as batteries, solar cell development, superconductors, smart materials etc., which hold much promise for future technologies. Chemistry Department has a good track record in this area, with the fundamental work on lithium ion battery technology carried out in the Department. Other material areas of interest are listed below:
Nanomaterials: Our research includes syntheses and preparation of a range of well-defined nanoparticles and nanocomposite materials. Applications for these nanomaterials include as catalysts, electroactive materials, and bio nanomaterials.
Polymers and composites: Our interests include investigation of a very wide range of polymerization chemistries, rubber chemistry and tyre devulcanization to make sustainable new polymers and composites for industries. The characterization of polymers includes the whole range of spectroscopy, thermal and mechanical qualification. We also design and fabrication of novel polymer nanofibers, where we combine polymer and inorganic/organic molecules to produce functional materials tailored for selective removal of organics and metal ions in wastewaters and mines.
Energy: The research work of Prof E. Ferg is closely linked to the university’s Electric Vehicle (EV) programme of uYilo. uYilo is a national programme that has a number of initiates around the development of South Africa’s electric vehicle infrastructure as well as development and services that is related energy storage and related battery materials. More information on uYilo can be obtained from its web page http://uyilo.org.za and specific battery and materials related research initiatives within the group at http://uyilo.org.za/Facilities-and-Services/Research
Staff Working in Materials
Prof. Sabelo Mhlanga (profile)
Email: Sabelo.mhalanga@mandela.ac.za
Prof Ernst Ferg
Email: Ernst.Ferg@mandela.ac.za
Prof Shanganyane Hlangothi
Email: Shanganyane.hlangothi@mandela.ac.za
Dr Nicole Vorster
Email: nicole.vorster@mandela.ac.za
Dr Zikhona Tywabi-Ngeva (profile)
Email: Zikhona.Tywabi-Ngeva@mandela.ac.za
Prof Zenixole Tshentu (profile)
Email: zenixole.tshentu@mandela.ac.za
Dr Adeniyi Ogunlaja (profile)
Email: adeniyi.ogunlaja@mandela.ac.za
Mr Fanus Gerber
Email: fanus.gerber@mandela.ac.za
Catalysis
Catalysis is studied to explore the fundamental reactivity of carbon-based molecules and discover new ways to make or break bonds leading to new products. It is estimated that most industrial chemical processes in fuels (hydrotreatment processes such as HDS, HDN, HDO), healthcare (pharmaceuticals), materials (polymers), transport (catalytic convertors), photocatalysis (CO2 utilization) and environment (water and air quality) involve catalysis. The Department is actively investigating the development the green hydrogen and innovative use CO2 as a chemical feedstock for the production of a wide variety of chemicals. The Department of Chemistry has fantastic expertise in developing metal- and small molecule -mediated catalysis, targeted applications, and determining reaction mechanisms to enable the development of new and further improved processes.
Staff Working in Catalysis
Prof Zenixole Tshentu (profile)
Email: zenixole.tshentu@mandela.ac.za
Dr Adeniyi Ogunlaja (profile)
Email: adeniyi.ogunlaja@mandela.ac.za
Dr Shawn Gouws (profile)
Email: Shawn.Gouws@mandela.ac.za
Prof. Sabelo Mhlanga (profile)
Email: Sabelo.mhalanga@mandela.ac.za
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Physical chemists study matter at its molecular, atomic and subatomic levels. They harness powerful theoretical and experimental methods to gain a deeper understanding of natural phenomena in a quantitative manner. Chemical modelling play an increasingly central role in the chemical sciences and its many vibrant interfaces with physics, materials science and biology – wherein lie some of the most challenging problems in modern science.
Staff Working in Catalysis
Dr Driekus Grooff
Email: Driekus.Grooff@mandela.ac.za
Dr Adeniyi Ogunlaja (profile)
Email: adeniyi.ogunlaja@mandela.ac.za
Prof Zenixole Tshentu (profile)
Email: zenixole.tshentu@mandela.ac.za
Dr Richard Betz
Email: Richard.Betz@mandela.ac.za
Innovative Analytical Methodologies
Our analytical methods research is at the forefront of the development of ICP, AAS, NMR, mass spectrometric, thermogravimetric, spectroscopic and electrochemical methods to characterise chemical systems. Active investigations are also on applications of new analytical methods and technology demonstrating potential for societal impact.
Staff Working in Innovative Analytical Methodologies
Dr Gletwyn Rubidge (profile)
Email: Gletwyn.Rubidge@mandela.ac.za
Prof Zenixole Tshentu (profile)
Email: zenixole.tshentu@mandela.ac.za
Dr Adeniyi Ogunlaja (profile)
Email: adeniyi.ogunlaja@mandela.ac.za
Miss Anita Noah
Email: anita.noah@mandela.ac.za