Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability

Prof U Feleni

College of Science, Engineering and Technology
Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability
Associate Professor
Tel: 011 670 9198
E-mail: felenu@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • PhD Chemistry (University of the Western Cape, 2017)
  • MSc Nanoscience (University of the Western Cape, 2014)
  • BSc Honours (University of the Western Cape, 2012)

Currently teaching

  • Electrochemistry
  • Electrochemical Sensors/Biosensors
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Material Sciences

Fields of academic interests

  • Electrochemical sensors developed with functionalised-nanomaterials and quantum dots
  • Clinical diagnostics and environmental analysis
  • Designing of nanomaterials-functionalised hydrogel/ceramic membranes
  • Multifunctional electrocatalytic reactors for sensing, quantification and removal of emerging pharmaceutical contaminants (EPC) from domestic and environmental wastewater
  • Photocatalysis/electrophotocatalysis

Field of Specialisation

  • Electrochemistry
  • Electrochemical Sensors/Biosensors
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Material Sciences

Journal articles

  • Olayiwola Idris., Bhekie Mamba, Usisipho Feleni, poly (propylene imine) dendrimer: A potential nanomaterial for electrochemical application (2020). Materials Chemistry and Physics, 244 122641. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2020.122641.
  • Usisipho Feleni, Unathi Sidwaba, Nomaphelo Ntshongontshi, Lindsay Wilson, Emmanuel Iwuoha (2019). Biocompatible palladium telluride quantum dot-amplified biosensor for HIV drug. Electrocatalysis 7 (4), 1-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12678-019-00563-0.
  • Usisipho Feleni, Unathi Sidwaba, Hlamulo Makelane and Emmanuel I. Iwuoha. Core-shell Palladium Telluride Quantum Dot-Hemethiolate Cytochrome Based Biosensor for Detecting Indinavir Drug (2019). Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 19, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1166/jnn.16866
  • Hlamulo Makelane, Tesfaye Waryo, Usisipho Feleni and Emmanuel I. Iwuoha. Dendritic Copolymer electrode for second harmonic alternating current voltammetric signalling of pyrene in oil polluted wastewater (2019). Talanta, 196, 204-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2018.12.038
  • Mope Edwin Malefane, Usisipho Feleni, Alex Kuvarega (2019). A tetraphenylporphyrin/WO3/exfoliated graphite nanocomposite for the photocatalytic degradation of an acid dye under visible light irradiation. New Journal of Chemistry, 43 (2019) 11348-11362 DOI: https//doi.org/10.1039/c9nj02747e
  • Unathi Sidwaba, Nomaphelo Ntshongontshi, Usisipho Feleni, Tesfaye Wayro, Lindsay Wilson and Emmanuel I. Iwuoha. Manganese Peroxidase-based electro-Oxidation of bisphenol A at hydrogellic polyaniline-titania nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode (2019). Electrocatalysis, 1-9. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s12678-019-0510-x.
  • Mope Edwin Malefane, Usisipho Feleni, Alex Kuvarega (2019). Cobalt (II/III) oxide and tungsten (VI) oxide p-n heterojunction photocatalyst for photodegradation of diclofenac sodium under visible light. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 103560 (2019). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2019.103560
  • Hilda Dinah Kyomuhimbo, Immaculate Nyambura Michira,   Francis Mwaura, Solomon Derese, Usisipho Feleni, Emmanuel Iwuoha (2019). Silver–zinc oxide nanocomposite antiseptic from the extract of Bidens pilosa. SN Applied Sciences, 1 (2019) 681. DOI:https//doi.org/10.1007/s42452-019-0722-y.

 

Google scholar link:         https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=gaRHmgcAAAAJ&hl=en

 

ORCID iD:            https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1423-3484

Paper presentations

PUBLICATIONS: 24

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • Fellow, University of Michigan Presidential Scholars (UMAPS)
  • Member, South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS)
  • Member, International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE)
  • Associate member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (AMRSC)
  • 2016 L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Doctoral Fellowship
  • 2016 DST/South African Women in Science Awards (WISA) TATA Doctoral Award

Projects

  • Development of a next generation electrochemical sensor system for the determination of toxic heavy metals in wastewater.
  • Electrocatalytic tin telluride QD-functionalised membrane reactor for azo dye removal in wastewater.
  • Quantum dot-functionalised membrane reactor (QDM-RTECH) for the removal of emerging pharmaceutical contaminants from domestic wastewater.