Dr Tunde Lewis Yusuf

Tel:                 012-420-3241
Email:            [email protected]
Office:           NS1 3-52

Position:       Lecturer

Academic qualification: PhD

Teaching

Undergraduate: Inorganic Chemistry

Postgraduate: Inorganic Chemistry, Advanced Materials

Modules: CMY285, CMY385, CMY745

Research interests

Our group focuses on the field of inorganic and materials synthesis, with a passion for synthesizing new molecules and thoroughly elucidating their structures using X-ray crystallography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Mass Spectrometry, etc. These molecules, which include metal complexes and coinage metal clusters, are explored for their potential applications in luminescence, catalysis and biomedical fields.

Additionally, we are dedicated to the synthesis of functional materials, including metal chalcogenides and eco-friendly compounds. Our work focuses on addressing critical environmental challenges such as water purification, hydrogen evolution, CO₂ reduction, nitrogen photofixation, and H₂O₂ production. Leveraging advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)—such as photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and piezocatalysis—we integrate multiple AOPs to optimize efficiency and explore the underlying mechanisms that drive these processes.

Selected publications

View all publications here: Google Scholar Tunde Lewis Yusuf Profile

Journal articles

1. TL Yusuf, BO Ojo, T Mushiana, N Mabuba, O Arotiba, S Makgato “Synergistically Enhanced Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin via Oxygen Vacancies and Internal Electric Field on NiSe₂/WO₃ Photoanode” Catalysis Science & Technology, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CY00729H
2. TL Yusuf, OC Olatunde, D Masekela, N Mabuba, DC Onwudiwe, S Makgato, “Rational design of S‒scheme Cd_0.5Zn_0.5S/CeO₂ heterojunction for enhanced photooxidation of antibiotics and photoreduction of Cr(VI)”, Ceramics International, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.08.397
3. OC Olatunde, L Sawunyama, TL Yusuf, DC Onwudiwe “Visible light driven CuBi₂O₄ heterostructures and their enhanced photocatalytic activity for pollutant degradation: A review” Journal of Water Process Engineering 2024, 66, 105890 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.105890
4. TL Yusuf, OC Olatunde, D Masekela, KD Modibane, DC Onwudiwe, S Makgato “Charge Redistribution in NiSe₂/MoS₂ n–n Heterojunction Towards the Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin” ChemElectroChem, 2024, 2024:e202400309 https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202400309
5. OC Olatunde, TL Yusuf, N Mabuba, DC Onwudiwe, S Makgato, “Interfacial electron redistribution in 2D/3D MoS₂/CuBi₂O₄ p-n heterojunction for visible light assisted reduction of Cr(VI) and oxidation of antibiotics”, Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2024; 59, 105074. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.105074
6. D Masekela, NC Hintsho-Mbita, LN Dlamini, TL Yusuf, N. Mabuba, “Internal piezoelectric field produced by tri-component (FTO: Sb-ZnO/MoS₂) thin film for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and antibacterial activity”, Materials Today Communications, 2024; 108500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.108500 
7. TL Yusuf, I Waziri, KA Olofinsan, EO Akintemi, EC Hosten, AJ Muller. “Evaluating the in vitro antidiabetic, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of copper (II) Schiff base complexes: An experimental and computational studies”, Journal of Molecular Liquids 2023; 389, 122845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2023.122845 
8. TL Yusuf, SA Ogundare, MM Lawal, SJ Zamisa, WE van Zyl, “A series of isomorphic cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of mixed dithiophosphonate, 2,2-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands: Synthesis, structure, and theoretical calculations, Inorganica Chimica Acta”, 2023; 557, 121699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2023.121699
9. I Waziri, HM Masena, TL Yusuf, LCC Coetzee, AS Adeyinka, AJ Muller, “Synthesis, characterization, biological evaluation, DFT and molecular docking studies of (Z)-2-((2-bromo-4-chlorophenyl)imino)methyl)-4-chlorophenol and its Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes”, New Journal of Chemistry, 2023; 47, 17853-17870. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NJ02910G
10. TL Yusuf, SA Ogundare, F Opoku, O Arotiba, N Mabuba. “Theoretical and experimental insight into the construction of FTO/NiSe₂/BiVO₄ photoanode towards an efficient charge separation for the degradation of pharmaceuticals in water”, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2023; 11 (5), 110711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2023.110711
11. T Mohlala, TL Yusuf, N Mabuba. “Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of emerging organic pollutants in water on an FTO/BiVO₄/NiS photoanode”. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 2023; 117806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2023.117806
12. I Waziri, TL Yusuf, HA Zarma, SO Oselusi, LCC Coetzee, AS Adeyinka. “New palladium (II) complexes from halogen substituted Schiff base ligands: Synthesis, spectroscopic, biological activity, density functional theory, and molecular docking investigations”. Inorganica Chimica Acta. 2023; 5(52):121505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2023.121505
13. TL Yusuf, SA Ogundare, F Opoku, N Mabuba. “Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of sulfamethoxazole over S–Scheme Co₃Se₄/BiVO₄ heterojunction photoanode: An experimental and density functional theory investigations”. Surfaces and Interfaces. 2023; 36: 102534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2022.102534
14. I Waziri, TL Yusuf, E Akintemi, MT Kelani, A Muller. “Spectroscopic, crystal structure, antimicrobial and antioxidant evaluations of new Schiff base compounds: An experimental and theoretical study”. Journal of Molecular Structure. 2023; 1273, 134382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134382
15. D Masekela, NC Hintsho-Mbita, S Sam, TL Yusuf, N Mabuba. “Application of BaTiO₃-based catalysts for piezocatalytic, photocatalytic and piezo-photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and bacterial disinfection in wastewater: A comprehensive review”. Arabian Journal of Chemistry. 2022;104473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.104473
16. S. Yamba; N. C. Hintsho-Mbita; TL Yusuf; R. Moutloali; N. Mabuba. “Sulphate Removal in Industrial Effluents Using Electrocoagulation Sludge as an Adsorbent”. Sustainability 2022; 14 (19), 12467. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912467
17. TLYusuf, BO Orimolade, D Masekela, B Mamba, N Mabuba. “The Application of Photoelectrocatalysis in the Degradation of Rhodamine B in Aqueous Solutions: a review”. RSC Advances, 2022; 12(40), 26176-26191. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA04236C
18. TL Yusuf, SA Ogundare, MN Pillay and WE van Zyl. “Heptanuclear Silver Hydride Clusters as Catalytic Precursors for the Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol”. Molecules; 2022; 27(16), 5223. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27165223
19. TL Yusuf, DC Akintayo, SD Oladipo, AA Adeleke, K Olofinsan, B Vatsha and N Mabuba. “The Effect of Structural Configuration on the DNA Binding and in vitro Antioxidant Properties of New Copper (ii) N₂O₂ Schiff base complexes”.  New Journal of Chemistry, 2022; 46(27), 12968-12980. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NJ01477G
20. D Masekela, TL Yusuf, N Hintsho-Mbita and N Mabuba. “Low Cost, Recyclable and magnetic Moringa Oleifera Leaves for Chromium (VI) Removal from water”. Frontiers in Water, 2022; 5(4) 722269. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2022.722269
21. HO Omoregie, TL Yusuf, SD Oladipo, KA Olofinsan, MB Kassim and S Yousuf. “Antidiabetic, antimicrobial and antioxidant studies of mixed β-diketone and diamine copper(II) complexes”. Polyhedron, 2022; 217, 115738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2022.115738
22. SD Oladipo, TL Yusuf, SJ Zamisa, M Shapi and TJ Ajayi. “Synthesis Crystal Structure, Hirshfield Surface Analysis and DFT Studies of N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)methanime”. Journal of Molecular  Structure, 2021; 1241, 130620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.130620
23. TL Yusuf, SD Oladipo, SJ Zamisa, HM Kumalo, IA Lawal, MM Lawal and N Mabuba, “Design of New Schiff Base Copper (II) Complexes: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, DFT Study and Binding Potency towards Cytochrome P450 3A4”. ACS Omega, 2021; 6(21), 13704-13718. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c00906
24. SD Oladipo, TL Yusuf, SJ Zamisa, GF Tolufashe, KA Olofinsan, Z Tywabi-Ngeva, Nonhlangabezo Mabuba; “Synthesis, crystal structure with free radical scavenging activities and theoretical studies of Schiff bases derived from 1-naphthylamine, 2,6-diisopropylaniline and substituted benzaldehyde”. European Journal of Chemistry, 2021; 12 (2), 204-215. https://doi.org/10.5155/eurjchem.12.2.204-215.2088
25. TL Yusuf, MN Pillay, SJ Zamisa, WE. van Zyl, “Crystal structure of (morpholine-1-carbodithioato-κ2-S, S′) bis (triphenylphosphine-κ-P) gold (I), C₄₁H₃₈AuNOP₂S₂”. Zeitschrift für   Kristallographie-New   Crystal   Structures 2021; 236 (4), 759-761. . https://doi.org/10.1515/ncrs-2021-0073
26. TL Yusuf, EO Akintemi, SA Olagboye, GF Tolufashe, “Investigating the biological actions of some Schiff bases using density functional theory study”. Physical Sciences Reviews 2021. https://doi.org/10.1515/psr-2019-0131
27. TL Yusuf, TW Quadri, GF Tolufashe, L. Olasunkanmi, EE Ebenso and WE van Zyl, “Synthesis and structures of divalent Co, Ni, Zn and Cd complexes of mixed dichalcogen and dipnictogen ligands with corrosion inhibition properties: experimental and computational studies”. RSC Advances, 2020; 10, 41967-41982.  https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA07770D
28. TL Yusuf, SD Oladipo, Saimon A. Olagboye, Sizwe J. Zamisa, and Gideon F. Tolufashe. “Solvent-free synthesis of nitrobenzyl Schiff bases: Characterization, antibacterial studies, density functional theory and molecular docking studies”. Journal of Molecular Structure, 2020; 1222, 128857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2020.128857
29. TL Yusuf, CU Ibeji, WE van Zyl, “Nickel(II) complexes from phosphor-dichalcogenide (P/Se₂ and P/S₂) type ligands: Synthesis, structure and theoretical calculations”. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1218 (2020) 128517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2020.128517
30. SA Olagboye, TL Yusuf, SD Oladipo, S Zamisa, “Crystal structure of (E)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-N-(o-tolyl) methanimine, C14H12N2O2”. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie-New Crystal Structures, 2020, 1, 34 https://doi.org/10.1515/ncrs-2020-0034
31. SA Olagboye, TL Yusuf, SD Oladipo, S Zamisa, “Crystal structure of bis (2-hydroxy-6-((phenylimino) methyl) phenolato-κ²N, O) copper (II), C₂₆H₂0CuN₂O₄”. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie-New Crystal Structures, 2020, 235 689-692 https://doi.org/10.1515/ncrs-2019-0900

Conference Proceeding

1. TL Yusuf, SA Ogundare, F Opoku, N Mabuba, “Theoretical and experimental insight into the construction of S-Scheme FTO/NiSe2/BiVO4 photoanode towards an efficient charge separation for the degradation of pharmaceuticals in water”. 2nd Commonwealth Chemistry Congress, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 2023
2. TL Yusuf, N Mabuba, “Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of sulfamethoxazole over S―Scheme Co3Se4/BiVO4 heterojunction”, Presented at the 44th SACI national conference, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2023
3. TL Yusuf  & WE van Zyl, “Ag7 cluster: synthesis, structure, luminescence, catalysis and nanoparticle formation”. Presented at 47th World Chemistry Congress of IUPAC, 2019, Paris, France
4. TL Yusuf & WE van Zyl “Copper cluster monohydride as an efficient catalyst in the degradation of methylene blue”. Presented in UKZN postgraduate research Colloquium, 2019, Durban, South Africa.
5. TL Yusuf & WE van Zyl, Ag7 cluster: synthesis, structure, luminescence and nanoparticle formation in 2019 SACI Postgraduate Research Colloquium, 2019, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.

Collaborations

1. Professor Damian Onwudiwe, North-West University, South Africa
2. Professor Nohlangabezo Mabuba, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
3. Professor Seshibe Makgato, University of South Africa, South Africa
4. Dr Sandy Kilpatrick, University of Leicester, England