Makhetha , Thollwana Andretta (PhD)
Thollwana Andretta Makhetha was born in Sterkspruit (Eastern Cape). She received her secondary education in Sterkspruit, where she matriculated at Mehlomakulu Senior Secondary School in 2009. She obtained her BSc (Chemistry and Physics) in 2013, BSc Honours (Polymer Science) in 2015 and MSc (Polymer Science) in 2016 from the University of the Free State. She enrolled for a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Johannesburg in 2016. She started her career as a research assistant at the University of Johannesburg, where she is currently a temporary lecturer in the Department of Chemical Sciences. Ms Makhetha ’s PhD project explored the formulation of nano -enabled ultrafiltration membranes with improved fouling and rejection profiles. These properties arose as the result of the synergistic effects from combining the highly porous metal organic frameworks with hydrophilic graphene oxide as nanofillers. This led to selective solute rejection and catalytic degradation of organic dyes. Incorporation of antimicrobial Ag-Cu nanoparticles further increased the anti- biofouling response of the membranes. Her study contributed towards the advancement of membrane technologies for solving environmental problems caused by bacteria-infected water, and the release of dye-containing wastewater by industries. The candidate’s study produced four journal articles; two published, on e submitted and one still to be submitted. The work was presented at 10 local and international conferences.
Supervisor: Prof RM Moutloali
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