STAFF DETAILS
Mkhulu Mathe
Dr Mathe is the Manager of the Energy Materials (EM) of Materials Science and Manufacturing (MSM) at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa. His current research interests focus on the synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials for fuel cells and battery applications. Dr Mathe received his MSc in Physical Chemistry from University of Transkei, now Walter Sisulu University. His PhD was received from the University of Georgia in Analytical Chemistry/ Electrochemistry. He worked on the electrodeposition and characterization of nanocrystalline II-VI and III-V semiconductor materials. Dr Mathe became a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Georgia and continued to work with mercury electrodeposition for MCT detectors.
He joined the CSIR in 2005 and worked in Renewable Energy Technologies research group focussing on the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials for fuel cell applications. Dr Mathe has several peer-reviewed journal publications including conference proceedings. He is an active member of several professional bodies in his area of speciality in addition to being a registered Professional Natural Scientist.
Qualifications
Executive Development Programme (EDP) , University of Stellenbosch Business School Bellville, Cape Town, SA, December 2010
Management Advanced Programme (MAP78), Wits Business School, Johannesburg, SA, November 2007
Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry/Electrochemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Dissertation: Electrodeposition of Nanostructures by Electrochemical Atomic Layer Epitaxy (EC-ALE), December, 2003.
M.Sc. (Chemistry), University of Transkei, Umtata, South Africa
Thesis: Mechanistic studies of water defluoridation by adsorption on Fly Ash. April 1998
B.Sc. (Chemistry), Elmira College, Elmira NY, August 1988
Recent Publications
R.M. Modibedi, K.I. Ozoemena, M.K. Mathe “Palladium-Based Nanocatalysts for Alcohol Electro-oxidation in Alkaline Media” In: Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells: A Non and Low Platinum Approach (Edited by Minhua Shao), Springer Publishing, 2013 (in press).
Electrocatalysis Research for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Production, Mkhulu K Mathe, Tumaini Mkwizu, Mmalewane Modibedi, Energy Procedia, Volume 29, 2012, Pages 401–408
Hydrogen Infrastructure within HySA National Program in South Africa: Road Map and Specific Needs, Dmitri Bessarabov, Frik van Niekerk, Frikkie van der Merwe, Manie Vosloo, Brian North, Mkhulu Mathe, Energy Procedia, Volume 29, 2012, Pages 42–52
Double cross-linked polyetheretherketone proton exchange membrane for fuel cell. Luo H, Vaivars G, Mkhulu K Mathe. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 37(7), pp 6148-6152. 2012
Anion exchange membrane based on alkali doped poly(2,5-benzimidazole) for fuel cell. Luo H, Vaivars G, Agboola B, Mu s, Mkhulu K Mathe . Solid State Ionics, 208, pp 52-55.
Fast microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis of metal nanoparticles (Pd, Ni, Sn) supported on sulfonated MWCNTs: Pd-based bimetallic catalysts for ethanol oxidation in alkaline medium. Ramulifho T, Ozoemena KI, Modibedi RM, Jafta CJ, Mkhulu K Mathe Electrochimica Acta, 59, pp 310-320. 2012
Synthesis, characterisation and electrochemical intercalation kinetics of nanostructured aluminium-doped Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O2 cathode material for lithium ion battery Jafta CJ, Ozoemena KI, Mkhulu K Mathe, Roos WD. Electrochimica Acta, 85, pp 411-422 .2012
Double cross-linked polyetheretherketone proton exchange membrane for fuel cell: Hongze Luo, Mkhulu K Mathe, Guntars Vaivars : International Journal of Hydrogen Energy: Feb 2011
Hydrogen evolution reaction on single crystal WO3/C nanoparticles supported on carbon in acid and alkaline solution: Zheng Haitao, Mkhulu K Mathe: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol 36 (3), Pages 1960-1964: Feb 2011
Enhanced conductivity and stability of composite Membranes based on Poly (2,5-benzimidazole) and zirconium oxide nanaparticles for Fuel Cells: Zheng Haitao, Mkhulu K Mathe, Journal of Power Sources, Vol 196 (3), Pages 894-898: Feb 2011