What are polymers? In simplistic terms, one can think of them as tones of plastic-based materials that surround our daily lives. The origin of the word "polymer" can be traced back to the Greek words "poly", which means "many", and "meros", which means "parts". As such, the scientific definition of a polymer is that of a substance that is composed of many molecules or parts with repeating structural units that are held together by covalent bonds. They can be further classified into various categories, including rubbers, plastics, fibres, adhesives, coatings, elastomers, proteins and cellulose.

Prof Mokgaotsa Jonas Mochane

The interest in the subject of polymers of Unisa’s Prof Mokgaotsa Jonas Mochane stems from the massive annual consumption of about 182 million tons of polymers globally within the automotive, packaging and construction sectors. Of greatest concern is the non-biodegradable nature of these polymers. Long after their use, they remain persistent in nature and contribute towards environmental pollution as they cannot be broken down by microorganisms found in the soil.

On 22 April 2025, Mochane, from the Department of Chemistry in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, presented an insightful inaugural lecture titled "Living in the  polymer composites age". His lecture addressed challenges presented by the current form of polymers that have found widespread use in our daily lives due to their non-biodegradable nature.

Furthermore, the majority of the polymers that are used in coatings and adhesives in construction materials, automotives and packaging industries are highly flammable. Mochane’s approach looks at the production of lightweight, sustainable and biodegradable polymers with improved flame retardancy. Through the inclusion of materials such as graphite onto polymers, his research findings have demonstrated improved flame retardancy and limited release of toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, during burning.

Said Mochane: "During the burning of buildings, most casualties occur as a result of people being suffocated by the release of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide from the building material. Our research has demonstrated that the inclusion of graphite and clay onto polymers can, to a large extent, reduce the release of carbon monoxide gas, allowing people sufficient time to safely evacuate the burning area without inhaling the dangerous gas."

Over 50% of cars and aircraft produced are made up of conventional polymers and composites in the form of fibres and metals. Mochane’s research strives towards the replacement of conventional polymers with biodegradable polymer composites. He said: "Biodegradable polymer composites are capable of reducing the weight of cars and aircraft, reducing the operating costs, and contributing towards fuel saving. By improving the flame retardancy of these materials, the number of fatal accidents will also be reduced."

Responding to the inaugural lecture, Prof Emmanuel Sadiku from Tshwane University of Technology affirmed Mochane’s significant contributions in the field of polymer science, engineering and technology. "He has developed green composites from biopolymers and natural fibres, which have great potential to replace the petrochemical-based plastics that contribute negatively to the environment due to their non-biodegradable nature," said Sadiku.

Prof Mokgaotsa Jonas Mochane

Green composite materials present much global value because they act as a counter to different environmental issues presented by conventional polymers, such as waste management challenges. Concluding his response to the lecture, Sadiku said: "Professor Mochane’s contributions have been very significant as exemplified by the number of his cumulative research citations, with research endeavours capable of ameliorating a number of incidents linked to fire outbreaks and spread when adequately applied in the building and construction sectors, and the automotive and packaging industries."

Research prowess

Mochane obtained his PhD in Polymer Science from the University of the Free State. His current research interests are natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites, polymer/nanoparticle composites for advanced applications, natural fibre hybrid polymer composites, and the flame retardancy of polymers.

He has published 114 research outputs, inclusive of research articles and book chapters, and two books titled Biomaterials as green flame retardants and Handbook of carbon-based filler(s) reinforced PLA bio composites. To date, he has been cited 2 765 times with a Google Scholar H-index of 25. Between the 2022 and 2023, he received a certificate from Wiley for the top 10 most cited papers published by Polymer Engineering and Science (Q2 Journal) for a paper titled "Synthesis, mechanical, and flammability properties of metal hydroxide reinforced polymer composites: A review". 

He is an NRF Y-rated researcher, a Future Professors Programme alumnus, and a professional natural scientist registered with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.  Mochane is a recipient of NRF Incentive Funding for Rated Researchers (2020–2025), research development grants for Y-rated researchers (2021-2023) and MID-Career Researcher Award (2019). He is currently a guest editor for a Special Issue titled "Agricultural Waste-Reinforced Polymer Composites: Preparation and Characterization" in the journal Polymers, which has an impact factor of  4.7 and a cite score of 8.0.

* By Dr Nozipho N Madzivha, Communications and Marketing Specialist (acting), College of Science, Engineering and Technology