Dr Neliswa Mama

Position: Senior Lecturer
Department: Chemistry
Campus: South Campus
Phone: +27(0)41 504 2368
Fax: +27(0)41 504 4236
Email: Neliswa.Mama@mandela.ac.za
Qualifications: PhD (NMMU)

Research Summary

Design, synthesis and application of colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensors

Research Description

My research interest includes the synthesis and application of novel fluorescent chemosensors for quantitative and qualitative analysis of ionic species in aqueous systems.  A range of synthetic techniques are used to prepare these compounds, including the copper catalysed Huisgen azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction to make triazole rings.  Photophysical properties of the sensor molecules, equipped with binding sites provide a deep insight into the interaction mechanisms between the sensor and ions during the sensing processes.