Dr Mfiso Mngomezulu
Position
Lecturer
Department
Chemistry
Address
CHEMISTRY
QWAQWA
UFS
Telephone
Office
Information

Short CV

Dr Mfiso E. Mngomezulu                              

Lecturer

Department of Chemistry

Office No: 2 (R9816)

Natural and Agricultural Sciences (Qwa-Qwa Campus)

Phuthaditjhaba 9866

Tel. +27(0)58-718 5135

Fax. +27(0)58-718 5444

MngomezuluME@ufs.ac.za

 

1.         Professional Background

Mfiso completed his BSc degree (Chemistry) at University of the North (Qwa-Qwa Campus) and obtained his BSc honours (Polymer Chemistry) and MSc at University of Free State. His MSc degree titled “Phase change materials based on polyethylene, paraffin wax and wood flour” was obtained with distinction under the supervision of Prof AS Luyt and Dr Igor Krupa (Polymer Institute, Slovak Republic). He holds a PhD in Polymer Sciences with the topic “Flammability studies on biopolymers and their blends” from University of Free State under the supervision of Dr Maya J John (CSIR), Prof Adriaan S Luyt (Qatar) and Dr Valencia N Jacobs (CSIR). The PhD studies were hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape under the Professional Development Program (PDP) by National Research Fund (NRF) and Department of Science and Technology (DST). During PhD studies he obtained the best student poster 2nd prize in an international conference Fire Retardant Technologies 2014 held in University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK (presented by Mr Steve A Chapple from CSIR on my behalf). He worked as the i) tutor/mentor in Physics and Chemistry for undergraduate students (2005/6), ii) research assistant (2008/9) and iii) Officer, Professional Services in the Chemistry laboratories of the University of Free State (2005 – 2012). He also worked as an educator at Lerao-Uthando Comprehensive School, teaching Physical Sciences (under the Dinaledi post (2016 – 2017), and at Phofung Secondary School where he taught Mathematical Literacy (2016) employed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Free State province.

Mfiso obtained certificates in postgraduate supervision, planning and writing a research proposal, the literature review and scientific writing as well as in Labour law. Mfiso served as the board member of Advances in Chemistry and Biochemistry journal under Ocimum Scientific Publishers (OSP) based at Hoppers Crossing, Victoria, Australia.

Publications

Publications (Short List)

  • Mohau Justice Phiri, Julia Puseletso Mofokeng, Mapoloko Mpho Phiri, Mfiso Mngomezulu, Zikhona Tywabi-Ngeva. (2023). Chemical, thermal and morphological properties of polybutylene succinate-waste pineapple leaf fibres composites. Heliyon, 9; e21238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21238
  • Mngomezulu, Mfiso Emmanuel; Luyt, Adriaan Stephanus; John, Maya Jacob. (2019). Morphology, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid/expandable graphite (PLA/EG) flame retardant composites. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 32(1); 89-107. DOI:10.1177/0892705717744830.
  • Motaung E Tshwafo, Mngomezulu E Mfiso and Hato J Mpitloane. (2018). Effects of alkali treatment on the poly(furfuryl) alcohol-flax fibre composites. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials; 1-13. DOI: 10.1177/0892705716679478
  • Mngomezulu, Mfiso Emmanuel; Luyt, Adriaan Stephanus; Chapple, Steve Anthony; John, Maya Jacob. (2018). Effect of expandable graphite on thermal and flammability properties of poly(lactic acid-starch)/poly-e-caprolactone blend systems. Polymer Engineering and Science, 58; 1619–1629. DOI:10.1002/pen.24751. 
  • Mfiso E. Mngomezulu, Adriaan S. Luyt, Steve A. Chapple and Maya J. John. (2018) Poly(lactic acid)-starch/expandable graphite (PLA-starch/EG) flame retardant composites. Journal of Renewable Materials, 6(1); 26 – 37(12).  DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634140.
  • ME Mngomezulu and MJ John. (2017) Thermoset-cellulose nanocomposites; Flammability characteristics; Chapter 7, In Handbook of Thermoset-Cellulose Nanocomposites. Wiley-VCH. pp 235-272. Published Online: 3 MAR 2017. DOI:10.1002/9783527689972.ch7.
  • ME Mngomezulu, MJ John, V Jacobs, AS Luyt. (2014) Review on flammability of biofibres and biocomposites. Carbohydrate Polymers, 111; 149–182. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.03.071
  • ME Mngomezulu, AS Luyt, I Krupa. (2011) Structure and Properties of Phase Change Materials Based on HDPE, Hard Fischer-Tropsch Paraffin Wax, and Wood Flour. Polymer Composites, 32; 1155–1163. DOI: 10.1002/pc.21134.
  • ME Mngomezulu, AS Luyt, I Krupa. (2010) Structure and Properties of Phase Change Materials Based on HDPE, Soft Fischer-Tropsch Paraffin Wax, and Wood Flour. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 118; 1541–1551. DOI: 10.1002/app.32521.

Area(s) of Interest

  • Flammability studies of polymeric materials 
  • Flame retardants that are environment friendly and bio-based
  • Energy storage and phase change materials
  • Biodegradable polymer blends and nanocomposites
  • Natural fibre reinforced polymer composites
  • Waste water treatment via natural fiber adsorbents
  • Paraffin wax filled polymer blends

Courses Presented

  • Polymer Characterization I (Polymer solutions and Spectroscopy)
  • Polymer Characterization II (Thermal, visco-elastic and mechanical properties)
  • Polymer Blends, Composites and Nanocomposites 
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

Community Service

Engaged with local high schools for Physical Sciences extra classes, experiments and tutorials.


BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS FACULTY CONTACT

Elfrieda van den Berg (Marketing Manager)
T: +27 51 401 2531
E:vdberge@ufs.ac.za

QWAQWA CAMPUS FACULTY CONTACT

Dilahlwane Mohono (Faculty Officer)
T: +27 58 718 5284
E:naturalscienceqq@ufs.ac.za

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