BioLogic VSP-3E Potentiostat at the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability at UNISA
The Applied Electrochemistry (AEC) is one of the thematic areas of research under the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) at the University of South Africa (UNISA) – Florida Science Campus – and is led by Prof Usisipho Feleni.
The Applied Electrochemistry Thematic Area (AE) aims at exploiting the electrochemical properties of nanomaterials in providing solutions to challenges associated with water pollution, sensing of pollutants and clean energy production.
The emphasis includes solving societal water-related problems using research and innovation in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Ultimate applications of the nanomaterials include bio-sensors, capacitive deionisation, photoelectrochemical reactors, supercapacitors and batteries. This thematic area is further divided into three focus research areas:
From left: Mr Kagiso Mokalane (Late Lab Technician), Mr Bruno Steiner, Dr Ntuthuko Hlongwa (Senior Researcher), Dr Kutloano Sekhosana (Senior Researcher), Prof Hlengilizwe Nyoni (Lab Manager) and Ms Nontokozo Magwaza (Lab Technician).
Environmental Water Sensors and ElectroCatalysts (ESEC), Electrochemical Energy Materials (EEM) and Electrochemical Water Desalination (EC-WD). The AEC aims to develop a fully integrated, next-generation, rechargeable hybrid battery-supercapacitor (supercapbattery) electrical energy storage device, and this will involve the synthesis of materials that can be applied in the construction of a flow-through desalination system as anode and Cathode Capacitive Deionisation (CDI) electrodes respectively.
This research thematic area has five members, namely: Prof Usisipho Feleni (leader), Dr Xolile G. Fuku, Dr Kutloano E. Sekhosana, Dr Moshawe J. Madito and Dr. Ntuthuko W. Hlongwa. AEC is composed of three themes focusing on Water Sensors, Electrochemical and Photo-electrochemical Energy, as well as Electrochemical Water Desalination. Recently, this group of researchers had purchased and received a few electrochemical instruments, including multichannel potentiostats, from Bruno Steiner Lab Consultancy.
