Department of Chemistry

Computational Chemistry, Structural Chemistry and Material Sciences

Cellulose is extracted from lignocellulose biomass and chemically modified to suit applications for a market penetration. Chemical treatments in the main involve acidification and mercerization of cellulose from variety of wastes including maize stalks, sugar cane bagasse and wood chips. Hydroxyl groups on polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to many thousands of β linked D-glucose units are altered and blended with recycled polymers for various applications. Strength and thermal resistance of the polymer composites are eventually analyzed and if properties are suitable, different prototypes are developed in collaboration with industries. Scholars that are involved in this research focus area are as follows:

1. Dr BS Dladla
  • Modelling of ionization constants (pKa)
  • Modelling and Synthesis of porous materials for separation of fluid mixtures

dladlbs@unisa.ac.za
2. Dr N Magwa
  • Hydrometallurgy
  • Organic Inorganic hybrid complexes for OLEDs and medicinal applications
  • Organic-inorganic hybrid crystalline porous materials for various applications
  • Molecular Modeling

magwanp@unisa.ac.za
3. Prof T Motaung
  • Synthesis and characterization of physical and viscoelastic properties of polymer blends, composites, nanocomposites for smart material development. Also interested in organic polymer wastes streams and possible treatments for practical applications.
  • Industrially driven projects for closing the gap between industries and higher learning education.
motaute1@unisa.ac.za

Last modified: Mon Aug 21 14:20:35 SAST 2023