Prof P G Ndungu

Telephone          +27 (0)12 420-3095
Email                  [email protected]
Office                 Natural Sciences II, Room 3-15          

Position              Professor
                            Head of Department

Academic qualification     PhD (Drexel University)

NRF rating                         C2

Teaching

I have coordinated modules and lectured diploma, advanced diploma, BSc, and Honours students on topics that include general chemistry, polymer chemistry, environmental chemistry, physical chemistry, and nanoscience. In addition, I have lectured physical chemistry topics to engineering students at the undergraduate and honours levels.

Research interests

• Development of novel and functional nano-systems as integral components in low-cost water treatment technologies, and renewable energy devices (solar cells, fuel cells, hydrogen storage, energy storage, photocatalytic systems, water electrolysis, electrochemical systems, etc)
• Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in the context of providing inexpensive solutions to problems unique to the developing World
• Physical-Chemical Properties of Advanced Functional Nanomaterials and Nanocomposite materials
• Environmental Chemistry and analytical application of nanocomposite materials

Research Profiles

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• ORCID

Selected publications 

Energy Storage

1. Oluwafemi J. Sanumi; Patrick G. Ndungu; Bilainu Oboirien. Challenges of 3D printed electrodes for lithium-ion batteries: Emphasis on material-design properties, and performance of 3D printed Si-based LIB electrodes. Accepted Journal Power Sources. Volume 543, 30 September 2022, 231840
2. O.D. Saliu, M. Mamo, P. Ndungu and J. Ramontja. Starch built TiO2 nanoarchitecture with mixed anatase and rutile phase for high energy density supercapacitor electrode. Journal of Energy Storage. Volume 49, May 2022, 104155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.104155
3. Lerato Y. Molefe; Nicholas Musyoka, PhD; Jianwei Ren; Henrietta W. Langmi; Mkhulu Mathe; Patrick G. Ndungu. Effect of inclusion of MOF-polymer composite onto a carbon foam material for hydrogen storage application. Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials. 31, pages 80–88 (2021)
4. Tarekegn Heliso Dolla, Isiaka A. Lawal, Dave G. Billing, Karin Pruessner, Patrick Ndungu. Carbon encapsulated ternary Mn-Ni-Co oxide nanoparticles as electrode materials for supercapacitor applications. Electroanalysis Volume 32, Issue 12, Pages 2926-2935. https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.202060294
5. Y. Suttisawat , P. Rangsunvigit, B. Kitiyanan, P. Ndungu, M.V. Lototsky, A. Nechaev, V. Linkov, S. Kulprathipanja. Investigation of Hydrogen Storage Capacity of MWNT Deposited by Pd or V. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Volume 34, Issue 16, August 2009, Pages 6669-6675

Solar Cells

6. Kudzai Mugadza, Vincent O. Nyamori, Genene T. Mola, Reuben H. Simoyi, and Patrick G. Ndungu. Low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cell. The Journal of Experimental Nanoscience.2017: 12:1, 363-383, DOI:10.1080/17458080.2017.1357842
7. Edwin T. Mombeshora, Reuben Simoyi, Vincent O. Nyamori and Patrick G. Ndungu. Multi-walled carbon nanotube-titania nanocomposites: Understanding nano-structural Parameters and Functionality in dye-sensitised solar cells. South African Journal of Chemistry. Vol 68, 2015, pages 153-164
8. Godfrey Keru; Patrick G. Ndungu; Vincent O. Nyamori, Genene Tessema Mola.  Charge extracting buffer layers in bulk-heterojunction organic solar cell.  Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics. December 2015, Volume 26, Issue 12, pp 9891-9897 DOI 10.1007/s10854-015-3665-0.
9. Godfrey Keru, Patrick G. Ndungu and Vincent Onserio Nyamori. A review on carbon nanotube/polymer composites for organic solar cells. International Journal of Energy Research. 2014; 38:1635 – 1653.

Photocatalysis

10. Nteseng Ramoraswi and Patrick Ndungu. Photo-catalytic Properties of TiO2 supported on MWCNTs, SBA-15 and silica coated MWCNTs nano-composites. Nanoscale Research Letters. December 2015. 10:4275
11. Oseghe, Ekemena Oghenovoh; Ndungu, Patrick Gathura; Jonnalagadda, Sreekanth Babu. Synthesis of mesoporous Mn/TiO₂ nanocomposites and investigating the photocatalytic properties in aqueous systems. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2015, 22 (1), 211-222.
12. Nomso Hintsho, Leslie Petrik, Alexander Nechaev, Salam Titinchi and Patrick Ndungu. Photo-Catalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide Carbon Nanotube Nano-composites Modified with Silver and Palladium Nanoparticles. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 156–157 (2014) 273–283.

Fuel Cells

13. Thabo Matthews, Tebogo Abigail Mashola, Kayode Adesina Adegoke, Kudzai Mugadza, Colani Thembinkosi Fakude, Oyeladun Rhoda Adegoke, Abolanle Saheed Adekunle, Patrick Ndungu, Nobanathi Wendy Maxakato. Electrocatalytic activity on single atoms catalysts: Synthesis strategies, characterization, classification, and energy conversion applications. Coordination Chemistry Reviews Volume 467, 214600, 2022
14. P.F. Msomi, P.T. Nonjola, P.G. Ndungu, J. Ramontja. Poly (2, 6-dimethyl-1, 4-phenylene)/polysulfone anion exchange membrane blended with TiO₂ with improved water uptake for alkaline fuel cell application. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Volume 45, Issue 53, Pages 29465-29476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.08.012
15. Mlungisi N. Sithole, Bernard Omondi, and Patrick G. Ndungu. Synthesis and Characterization of Ce_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_0.8Co_0.2O_3-δ Perovskite Material: Potential Cathode Material for Low Temperature SOFCs. Journal of Rare Earth Metals. Volume 35, Issue 4, April 2017, Pages 389-397
16. Njoku. B. Chima; Ndungu. G. Patrick. Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Ce_0.8Sm_0.2Fe_0.9Ir_0.03Co_0.07O_3-δ Perovskite Material and Possible Application as a Cathode for Low-Intermediate Temperature SOFCs. Materials research Bulletin. Volume 68, 2015, Pages 100–108

Environmental Analytical Chemistry

17. Bhekumuzi P Gumbi, Brenda Moodley, Grace Birungi, and Patrick Gathura Ndungu. Risk assessment of personal care products, pharmaceuticals, and stimulants in Mgeni and Msunduzi Rivers, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Frontiers in Water. Vol 4. 2022. DOI=10.3389/frwa.2022.867201  
18. Bhekumuzi P. Gumbi, Brenda Moodley, Grace Birungi, Patrick G. Ndungu. Detection and quantification of acidic drug residues in South African surface water using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Chemosphere. Volume 168, 2017, Pages 1042–1050.
19. Solomon Matongo, Brenda Moodley, Patrick Ndungu, Grace Birungi. Pharmaceutical residues in water and sediment of Msunduzi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Chemosphere. Volume 134, September 2015, Pages 133–140.

Analytical Applications of Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites

20. Targuma, S.; Njobeh, P.B.; Ndungu, P.G. Current Applications of Magnetic Nanomaterials for Extraction of Mycotoxins, Pesticides, and Pharmaceuticals in Food Commodities. Molecules 2021, 26, 4284. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26144284
21. Veronica Wanjeri, Sefater Gbashi, Jane Ngila, Patrick Berka Njobeh, Messai Mamo and Patrick G. Ndungu. Chemical vapour deposition of MWCNT on silica coated Fe₃O₄ and use of response surface methodology for optimizing the extraction of organophosphorus pesticides from water. International Journal of Analytical Chemistry Volume 2019, Article ID 4564709, 16 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4564709
22. Wanjeri V.W.O, Sheppard C.J., Prinsloo A.R.E., Ngila J.C, and Ndungu P.G. Isotherm and kinetic investigations on the adsorption of organophosphorus pesticides on graphene oxide based silica coated magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with 2-phenylethylamine. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 6 (2018) 1333–1346.
23. B. Gumbi, JC. Ngila, PG Ndungu. Gold nanoparticles for the quantification of very low levels of poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) in river water. Analytical Methods. 2014, 6, 6963 – 6972.

Water Remediation

24. Olumuyiwa A.Obijole, Gitari Wilson Mugera, Rabelani Mudzielwana, Patrick G.Ndungu, Amidou Samie, Ayinde W.Babatunde. Hydrothermally treated aluminosilicate clay (HTAC) for remediation of fluoride and pathogens from water: Adsorbent characterization and adsorption modelling. Water Resources and Industry, Volume 25, June 2021, 100144
25. Isiaka A. Lawal, Monsurat M. Lawal, Samson O. Akpotu, Hussein Kehinde Okoro, Michael Klink, and Patrick Ndungu. Noncovalent Graphene Oxide Functionalized with Ionic Liquid: Theoretical, Isotherm, Kinetics, and Regeneration Studies on the Adsorption of Pharmaceuticals. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. 59, 11, 4945–4957. 2020
26. Mudzielwana Rabelani, Gitari Mugera Wilson, Ndungu Patrick. Enhanced As(III) and As(V) Adsorption From Aqueous Solution by a Clay Based Hybrid Sorbent. Frontiers in Chemistry. Vol 7, 2020, p913. DOI=10.3389/fchem.2019.00913  
27. Rabelani Mudzielwana, Patrick Ndungu, Wilson Gitari. Evaluation of the adsorptive properties of locally available alumino-silicate clay in As(III) and As(V) remediation from groundwater. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of the Earth. Volume 112, August 2019, Pages 28-35.
28. Denga Ramutshatsha-Makhwedzha, Jane Catherine Ngila, Patrick G. Ndungu, and Philiswa Nosizo Nomngongo. Ultrasound Assisted Adsorptive Removal of Cr, Cu, Al, Ba, Zn, Ni, Mn, Co and Ti from Seawater Using Fe₂O₃-SiO₂-PAN Nanocomposite: Equilibrium Kinetics. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2019, 7(5), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse7050133
29. M.J. Alegbe, O.S. Ayanda, P. Ndungu, A. Nechaev, O.O. Fatoba, L.F. Petrik. Physicochemical characteristics of acid mine drainage, simultaneous remediation and use as feedstock for value added products, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. Volume 7, Issue 3, 2019, 103097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2019.103097.
30. Alegbe M. J., Ayanda O. S., Ndungu P., Fatoba O. O., Nechaev A., Petrik L. F. Assessment of the physical and chemical qualities of Brine and the Application of Nano Zerovalent Iron for the Treatment of Brine Effluent. Desalination and Water Treatment, 2018, 102, 141-150: doi: 10.5004/dwt.2018.21862.

Postgraduate students

Name

Degree

Year

Document Title

Tshifhiwa Tshauambea

PhD

2022 (start)

Field of Investigation: Nanocomposite Membranes for water treatment and resource recovery

Gershom Ntshani

PhD

2022 (start)

Field of Investigation: Magnetic Nanocomposites for the extraction of emerging contaminants from complex matrices

Sarem Targuma

PhD

2019 (start)

Field of Investigation: Magnetic Nanocomposites for the extraction of emerging contaminants from selected beverages

Tapiwanashe Shumba

PhD

2021 (start)

Field of Investigation: Development of nano-catalysts for treatment of landfill leachate

Veronica Wayayi

PhD

2021 (start)

Field of Investigation: Detection and quantification of emerging contaminants in marine environments

Itumeleng Tsotetsi

MSC (PT)

2021 (start)

Field of Investigation: Modified high surface area carbons for recovery of PGMs