scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Author

Thabo T.I. Nkambule

Other affiliations: University of Johannesburg
Bio: Thabo T.I. Nkambule is an academic researcher from University of South Africa. The author has contributed to research in topics: Adsorption & Water treatment. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 79 publications receiving 633 citations. Previous affiliations of Thabo T.I. Nkambule include University of Johannesburg.

Papers published on a yearly basis

Papers
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review focuses on the biomedical applications and toxicity of spinel ferrite nanoparticles (SFNPs) with more emphasis on the recently published work and a critical review is provided on recent advances of SFNPs applications.

123 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the current status of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles and nanocomposites with respect to its application in wastewater treatment, advantages, and toxicity aspects is presented.

69 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed literature on the quantity and quality of NOM and other DBP precursors, evaluate the formation and treatability of the individual NOM fractions, and establish their influence on the DBPs formation.
Abstract: Due to the fluctuating quantity and quality of organic matter (OM) in surface waters, continuous characterisation and the evaluation of its propensity to form disinfection byproducts (DBPs) is essential. The characteristics of OM affects the removal efficiency and influences its reactivity with disinfectants to form DBPs. Research on DBPs is interesting because of their potential carcinogenic health risks. Although the link between DBP precursors such as natural organic matter (NOM) and DBP formation is well established, knowledge on the individual NOM fractions and other DBP precursors responsible for various DBPs is poor. Moreover, data on other precursors of DBPs has not been synthesized. The aim of this paper is therefore to review literature on the quantity and quality of NOM and other DBP precursors, evaluate the formation and treatability of the individual NOM fractions, and establish their influence on the DBPs formation. Possible removal processes for DBPs and their precursors, along with their economic feasibility were discussed. The key findings were: (1) certain fractions of NOM play a pivotal role in the formation of DBPs, (2) commonly used DBP control approaches include post-formation treatment, while targeting the removal of specific DBP precursors is hard to achieve, and (3) membrane technologies, enhanced coagulation, and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are effective in removing NOM, although AOP technologies are generally not economically feasible and still need further development and up-scaling. Future research should focus on: (1) toxicological studies to establish public health risks associated with specific emerging DBPs, (2) providing sufficient empirical data to determine whether to regulate currently unregulated DBPs, and (3) economic analyses to inform implementation of DBP precursor removal methods such as AOPs.

65 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the magnetic properties of pure hematite nanoparticles, magnetic properties and removal capacity of metal cations from acid mine drainage are well described, and they have shown superparamagnetic character with saturation magnetisation of 5.6 ǫemuǫg−1.
Abstract: In this paper, the synthesis of pure hematite nanoparticles, magnetic properties and its removal capacity of metal cations from acid mine drainage are well described. Initially, mixtures of iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesised using hydrated ferric chloride and ferrous sulphate salt solution by co-precipitation method and converted to hematite via calcination at 500 °C. The synthesised hematite nanoparticles have shown superparamagnetic character with saturation magnetisation of 5.6 emu g−1. Treatment of partially aerated acid mine drainage in the presence of 0.85 g L−1 of synthesised hematite resulted in complete removal of Al, Mg, Mn and Fe while for Zn and Ni over 80% and Ca and Na in between 47 and 72% removals. The sludge generated from the treated acid mine drainage was also characterised by relevant analytical instruments. Overall, the non-toxicity, stability and high metal removal capacity of hematite nanoparticles is promising for the future application in large-scale acid mine drainage treatment.

64 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the removal of Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions from industrial effluent using Moringa stenopetala seed powder was investigated using FTIR, XRD, zeta potential, TGA, SEM and BET.
Abstract: In this study, the removal of Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions from industrial effluent was investigated using Moringa stenopetala seed powder. The surface functionality, morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability and charge of the Moringa stenopetala seed powder was studied using FTIR, XRD, zeta potential, TGA, SEM and BET. Equilibrium isotherms, kinetic and thermodynamic models for three metal ions removal were also studied. The maximum percentage adsorption under optimum conditions of Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions from synthetic wastewater were 99.65, 99.66 and 99.42%, whereas that from industrial effluent were 94.17, 94.67 and 92.81%. The results of the adsorption equilibria fit the Freundlich isotherm (R2 ≥ 0.926) than Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 23.26, 16.13 and 10.20 mg/g for Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions respectively. On the other hand, the adsorption of Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions were well defined by the pseudo-second order model (R2 = 1). Furthermore, the calculated values of ΔH were 54.59, 52.01 and 54.55 KJ mol−1, ΔS were 201.94 J/K−1 mol−1, 194.79 J/K−1 mol−1, and 199.45 J/K−1 mol−1 for Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions respectively. The positive value of ΔH indicated that the adsorption of metal ions on the adsorbent was an endothermic process.

54 citations


Cited by
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The progress of CMP research since its beginnings is reviewed and an outlook for where these materials might be headed in the future is offered.
Abstract: Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) are a unique class of materials that combine extended π-conjugation with a permanently microporous skeleton. Since their discovery in 2007, CMPs have become established as an important subclass of porous materials. A wide range of synthetic building blocks and network-forming reactions offers an enormous variety of CMPs with different properties and structures. This has allowed CMPs to be developed for gas adsorption and separations, chemical adsorption and encapsulation, heterogeneous catalysis, photoredox catalysis, light emittance, sensing, energy storage, biological applications, and solar fuels production. Here we review the progress of CMP research since its beginnings and offer an outlook for where these materials might be headed in the future. We also compare the prospect for CMPs against the growing range of conjugated crystalline covalent organic frameworks (COFs).

620 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Novel nanomaterials, including carbon-based nanommaterials, zero-valent metal, metal-oxide based nanomMaterials, and nanocomposites, and their applications for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater were systematically reviewed and their efficiency, limitations, and advantages were compared.
Abstract: Removal of contaminants in wastewater, such as heavy metals, has become a severe problem in the world. Numerous technologies have been developed to deal with this problem. As an emerging technology, nanotechnology has been gaining increasing interest and many nanomaterials have been developed to remove heavy metals from polluted water, due to their excellent features resulting from the nanometer effect. In this work, novel nanomaterials, including carbon-based nanomaterials, zero-valent metal, metal-oxide based nanomaterials, and nanocomposites, and their applications for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater were systematically reviewed. Their efficiency, limitations, and advantages were compared and discussed. Furthermore, the promising perspective of nanomaterials in environmental applications was also discussed and potential directions for future work were suggested.

378 citations

27 Feb 2015
TL;DR: This study confirms the indicated occurrence of potentially pathogenic Vibrio bacteria on marine microplastics and highlights the urgent need for detailed biogeographical analyses of marinemicroplastics.
Abstract: The qualitative and quantitative composition of biofilms on microplastic surfaces is widely unknown. A previous study (Zettler et al., 2013; EST) reports the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Vibrio spp.) on floating microplastic particles. Hence microplastics could function as vectors for the dispersal of microorganisms to new habitats. Several Vibrio species are serious human pathogens. Contact with contaminated water and consumption of raw seafood are the main infection factors for Vibrio associated diseases. On research cruises to the North- and Baltic Sea, microplastic particles were collected and subjected to APW (alkaline peptone water) enrichment. Growth on selective CHROMagar™ Vibrio and further identification of isolates by MALDI-TOF (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight) clearly indicate the presence of potentially pathogenic Vibrio spp. on microplastics. Our results highlight the urgent need for detailed microbiological analyses of floating microplastic particles in the future.

376 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The literature findings reveal that dEfOM removal by advanced treatment processes depends on the type and the amount of organic compounds present in the aqueous matrix, as well as the operational parameters and the removal mechanisms taking place during the application of each treatment technology.

358 citations