http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/catalysis-and-synthesis/history-group
History to the Group
The Catalysis and Synthesis research group (CAT&SYN) was formed in 2001 with Prof HCM (Manie) Vosloo as the leader. It was a merger between the Catalysis group and Organic Synthesis group established in 1973 under the leadership of Prof JAK (Jan) du Plessis and Prof FJC (Frans) Martins respectively. Upon the retirement of Prof du Plessis…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/catalysis-and-synthesis/background-research
Background to the Research
Sasol, one of the largest companies in the South African petrochemical industry, produces a variety of chemicals, including a series of unique, and currently underutilised α-olefins. Most of these α-olefins are exported, beneficiated elsewhere, and re-imported to South Africa. These α-olefins can typically be beneficiated to high value products…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/catalysis-and-synthesis/current-research-focus
Current Research Focus
The Catalysis and Synthesis research group has shifted their focus from studying mainly homogeneous catalysis to investigating the utilization and beneficiation of Fischer-Tropsch products to produce high-value surfactants. The group's main objective is to synthesize, characterize, and to find new applications with potential industrial importance…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/catalysis-and-synthesis/research-leaders-and-publication-links
Research Leaders and Publication Links
Dr Frans Smit Group Leader Orcid I Google Scholar Telephone: +27 18 299 2356 Email: frans.smit@nwu.ac.za Office: Potchefstroom Campus, Building G8, Room G11 Qualifications: PhD Expertise: Organic Synthesis Dr Danie Otto Senior Laboratory Specialist Orcid Telephone: +27 18 299 2361 Email: daniel.otto@nwu.ac.za…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/catalysis-and-synthesis/active-researchers-and-publication-links
Active Researchers and Publication Links
Dr Ettiene Wiese Postdoctoral Research Fellow Orcid Dr Emmanuel Olaoye Postdoctoral Research Fellow Orcid Wynand Serfontein PhD Student Orcid David Venter PhD Student Orcid Ross-Lee Botha MSc Student…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/catalysis-and-synthesis/collaborators
Collaborators
Our collaborators and/or coinvestigators are as follows: Prof A Swarts – Department of Chemsitry, Wits Prof Lyn-Marie Birkholtz - DST/NRF South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Sustainable Malaria Control -University of Pretoria (SA) Proff SF Mapolie, SJ Ojwach, G Smith, NJ Goosen, Dr B Makhubela - DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/catalysis-and-synthesis/funders
Funders
NRF Sasol c*Change DAAD DSThttp://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/hydrometallurgy/history-group
History to the Group
Previously known as the Membrane Technology Group (MT, since 1996) under the leadership of Prof. Henning Krieg, the Hydrometallurgy Research Group was formed with a new focus in 2020. The MT research group had a specific goal to discover environmentally friendly, cost-effective membrane-based separation solutions for industrial and rural…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/hydrometallurgy/background-research
Background to the Research
The North-West Province's mining sector is a significant contributor to the region's GDP, employing 150,000 people across 300 active mines. To maintain and strengthen this position, it's crucial to prioritise research and skills development. Innovations in mineral beneficiation are required to meet the challenges of transitioning from fossil…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/hydrometallurgy/research-leaders-and-publication-links
Research Leaders and Publication Links
Mr. Derik van der Westhuizen Research scientist, group leader Orcid | Scopus Telephone: +27 18 299 2346 Email: derik.vanderwesthuizen@nwu.ac.za Office: Potchefstroom Campus, Building G8, Room 107 Highest qualification: M.Sc in Chemical Engineering Expertise: solvent extraction,…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/hydrometallurgy/current-research-focus
Current Research Focus
In an effort to create more sustainable outcomes for the mining and energy industries, the Hydrometallurgy research group is teaming up with the NWU Minerals Beneficiation research group at the Faculty of Engineering's Centre of Excellence for Carbon based Fuels (CoE for CbF) to conduct joint research as a cluster. This cluster is well-equipped to…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/hydrometallurgy/active-researchers-and-publication-links
Active Researchers and Publication Links
Shriya Roopa Jnr. Metallurgist Orcid Marcus Keulder Jnr. Metallurgist Hanno Bijzet Process Engineer…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/hydrometallurgy/collaborators
Collaborators
Our collaborators and/or coinvestigators are as follows: Dr. J. Kerres, Team Leader, Membrane Polymer Synthesis, HI-ERN, Erlangen, Germany Dr. V. Atanasov, Group Leader, Stuttgart University, Germany Dr. OSL Bruinsma, Managing Director, Bruinsma Solutions, South Africa Prof. M. Dry, Managing Director, Arithmetek, Canada Mr. P.…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/hydrometallurgy/funders
Funders
Tharisa Minerals Arxo Metals RedoxOne Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) National Research Foundation (NRF, South Africa) Technology Innovation Agency (TIA, South Africa) The Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA, South Africa)http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/laboratory-analytical-services/key-functions-las
Key Functions of the LAS
The Key Functions of the LAS include: Provision of state-of-the-art spectroscopic instruments Separation and thermal analyses equipment Knowledge transfer and training to students and researchers in all disciplines of science and engineeringhttp://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/laboratory-analytical-services/bruker-micro-qtof-hrms-dip-apci-and-esi-sources
Bruker Micro QTOF (HRMS) with DIP-APCI and ESI sources
The Bruker MicroQTOF II is a high-resolution mass spectrometer that is equipped with both DIP-APCI and ESI ionization sources. This instrument is widely used in various research fields, such as metabolomics, proteomics, and environmental analysis, due to its high sensitivity, accuracy, and resolution. The DIP-APCI source allows for the direct…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/laboratory-analytical-services/bruker-autoflex-speed-iii-maldi-stainless-steel-polished-steel
Bruker Autoflex speed III MALDI with stainless steel, polished steel target plates and a TLC accessory plate
The Bruker Autoflex Speed III TOF/TOF is a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer that combines the high-resolution capability of time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry with the specificity of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The instrument is compatible with both ground steel and polished…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/laboratory-analytical-services/bruker-600-mhz-nuclear-magnetic-resonance-spectrometer-nmr-direct
Bruker 600 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (NMR) with direct (BBO) and indirect (TBI) broadband observation probes
The 600 MHz NMR spectrometer is a high-field instrument with a magnet strength of approximately 14 Tesla. The NMR spectrometer is a workhorse and more than 1 000 samples are analysed per annum. Samples that are dissolved in liquids can be analysed. Routine analysis can be performed, which typically involves 1H, 11B, 13C, 19F, and 31P…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/laboratory-analytical-services/bruker-emx-electron-paramagnetic-resonance-spectrometer-epr
Bruker EMX electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer (EPR)
The Bruker EMX EPR is a high-performance electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometer used for the analysis of paramagnetic species in various research fields, including chemistry, materials science, biology, and medicine. The instrument is equipped with a superconducting magnet, microwave system, and temperature control system,…http://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/laboratory-analytical-services/agilent-ultravioletvisible-range-spectrometer