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.