Theses and Dissertations (Chemistry): Recent submissions

Now showing items 1-20 of 73

Comparative study of the immunomodulatory effect of solar and photonically inactivated salmonella enteritidis on dendritic cells in-vitro

Adeniran, Dorcas Oluwaseun Taiwo (Vaal University of Technology, 2022)

Salmonellosis is a food and water-borne disease that affects humans, especially those that are immunocompromised as well as children and the elderly. This disease is caused by a variety of Salmonella species. Salmonella ...
Adsorption of nitrate and fluoride anions from aqueous solutions using doped magnetite-pinecone nanocomposites

Frans, Nonhlanhla (Vaal University of Technology, 2022-03-23)

The increasing rate of pollutants, such as nitrate and fluoride from industrial and agricultural sources in the environment, especially in water bodies, is becoming alarming. Excessive nitrate and fluoride concentration ...
The fabrication of ClNCNTs/Fe3O4 nanoparticles for the removal of Pb2+ ions in aqueous solution

Sebake, Morongwa Sowela Mary-Jane (Vaal University of Technology, 2021-12-13)

Removal of wastewater pollutants is urgent as they are continuously defiling the limited freshwater resources, affecting the ecosystem, aquatic and terrestrial life. Carbon nanotubes-based adsorbent materials are effective ...
Surface-decorated macadamia (Macadamia sp.) nutshells for the detoxification of chromium(VI) polluted water

Moyo, Malvin (Vaal University of Technology, 2021-02)

Driven by the need of sustainably sourced catalysts and the use of reaction systems that generate environmentally benign by-products, the present study aimed to deposit stable, dispersed palladium (Pd) nanoparticles on the ...
Copper oxide-carbon catalysts for the oxidation of methylene blue

Makamu, Anza Reliance (Vaal University of Technology, 2020)

Organic water pollutants such as dyes are difficult to biodegrade. In this study Fenton, photo-Fenton and photocatalysis were used to degrade methylene blue dye in the presence of copper oxide catalysts. The copper oxide ...
Plasmon catalyst dispersed on carbonised pinecone for enhanced degradation of organic contaminants

Olalekan, Sanni Saheed (Vaal University of Technology, 2020-11)

Aromatic organic contaminants are difficult to biodegrade, and thus effective green technologies are required to remove these pollutants from the ecosystem. Tetracycline antibiotic, an organic water pollutant, can be ...
Development of a sensitive electrochemical sensor based on carbon dots and graphitic carbon nitride for the detection of 2-chlorophenol and arsenic (III) in water

Moundzounga, Theo Herman Gael (Vaal University of Technology, 2021-02)

The presence of organic and inorganic pollutants in aqueous environments is one of the major challenges confronting man. It is therefore important to develop sensitive, versatile and cheap techniques for their detection. ...
Adsorption of Cr(VI) by iron oxide functionalized polyethyleneimine (PEI) coated activated carbon-silica composites

Qhubu, Mpho Cynthia (Vaal University of Technology, 2020-12-14)

Water scarcity due to limited resources and pollution of the little available water by organic and inorganic contaminants remains as one of the critical issues of the 21st century. Several treatment methods have been ...
2,2-Dithiobis(benzothiazole) complexes (Cd and Ni): Precursors to nanoparticles and electrochemical properties and interactions with Rhodamine B

Mabaso, Busisiwe Dagracia (Vaal University of Technology, 2021-10-13)

The ligand 2, 2-dithiobisbenzothiazole and it metal complexes have been a subject of interest in various fields but they have found to exhibit remarkable and prevalent biological and pharmacological activities. The ligand ...
Incorporation of silver nanoparticles and eucalyptus oil onto electrospun hemp/PVA nanofibres and their antibacterial activity

Mogole, Lebogang (Vaal University of Technology, 2021)

The world is continuously losing the battle against superbugs (resistant bacteria towards commonly used antibiotics), hence there is an urgent need to develop novel antibacterial agents. In this study, green synthesized ...
Incorporation of metal (silver, copper, iron) chalcogenides (oxide, selenide) nanoparticles into poly(methyl methacrylate) fibers for their antibacterial activity

Sibokoza, Simon Bonginkosi (Vaal University of Technology, 2020)

Nanoscience receives a lot of attention in the 21 century and is one of the most advancing technology in our days. It provides many new and advanced technological opportunities. This field involves many disciplines which ...
Zein, Collagen and PVA polymer fibre blends embedded with metal (Mn and Fe) oxide nanoparticles for wastewater treatment

Kubheka, Nompumelelo Sharol Mbali (Vaal University of Technology, 2020-09)

The polymer and their blended fibres provide good surface and intermolecular chemistry that bring additional functionalities and structural changes that can be adapted for new usages. Natural polymers are known to possess ...
Preparation and application of pine-magnetite composite grafted with functional vinyl monomers for removal of dyes from single and binary solutions

Mtshatsheni, Kgomotso Ntombizodwa Gina (Vaal University of Technology, 2021-05)

Water is a basic resource to mankind. The environment is deteriorating daily due to industrial pollution of water resources. Industrial effluents containing organic pollutants such as dyes are undesirable even at low ...
Synthesis, characterisation, and application of conjugated polyene modified TiO2 photocatalysts for the treatment of selected pharmaceuticals in water

Awofiranye, Olayinka Oladimeji Samuel (Vaal University of Technology, 2020)

This research has investigated the effects of conjugation on the visible light absorption capacity of polyene modified TiO2 nanoparticles as well as the efficiency of these nanoparticles for the mineralisation of acetaminophen ...
An adsorptive study of Pb(II), Cr(VI) ions and methylene blue dye by treated and untreated coral limestones in aqueous solution

Nkutha, Cynthia Sibongile (Vaal University of Technology, 2021)

For centuries the contamination of surface water has been problematic, especially in third world countries whereby socio-economic issues are prevalent. With the development of various technologies for surface water ...
Adsorption studies of toxic metal ions (Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cr(VI) and Pb(II)) and methylene blue using black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds

Thabede, P. M. (Vaal University of Technology, 2021)

High levels of pollutants in water are found to have poisonous effects on human health. Due to increasing awareness about the environment and strict environmental regulations, wastewater treatment has become a very important ...
Novel nanostructured ternary metal oxide composite for sequestration of trace metals from simulated aqueous solutions.

Kupeta, Albert Jerry Kafushe (Vaal University of Technology, 2020-06)

A novel low-cost ternary Mn-Fe-Cu (MFC) metal oxide nanocomposite adsorbent was fabricated using facile co-precipitation method and successfully applied for the sequestration of Cr(VI) and As(III) from simulated aqueous ...
Surface-decorated macadamia (Macadamia sp.) nutshells for the detoxification of chromium(VI) polluted water.

Moyo, Malvin (Vaal University of Technology, 2021-02)

Driven by the need for sustainably sourced catalysts and the use of reaction systems that generate environmentally benign by-products, the present study aimed to deposit stable, dispersed palladium (Pd) nanoparticles on ...
The preparation and catalytic activity of iron oxide silica nanofibers for the Fenton degradation of methylene blue.

Mthombo, Phindile (Vaal University of Technology, 2020)

Several industries utilize species of synthetic dyes that are found in their wastewater, which is passed out in the environment. Methylene blue is one of the organic dyes that causes water pollution. It causes damage to ...
Synthesis and characterization of undoped and Ag doped TiO2, ZnO and ZnS nanoparticles for the photocatalytic degradation of 2-chlorophenol under UV irradiation.

Onkani, Shirley Priscilla (Vaal University of Technology, 2019-07-08)

Phenol, 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) is used in the manufacture of several chemical compounds including other chlorophenols, dyes, dentifrice and pesticides. The usage of these chemicals results in the discharge of 2-CP that is ...