Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability

Dr OT Mahlangu

College of Science, Engineering and Technology
School of Science
Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
E-mail: mahlaot@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • PhD Chemistry (University of Johannesburg, South Africa, 2016)
  • PhD Applied Biological Sciences (Ghent University, Belgium, 2015)
  • Advanced Diploma Project Management (PM Academy, South Africa, 2020)

Fields of academic interests

  • Membrane synthesis, characterisation, and application
  • Membrane fouling
  • Solute transport (organic compounds and salts)
  • Desalination

Field of Specialisation

  • Membrane Filtration Processes
  • Home water treatment devices

Journal articles

  1. JK Mwabi, FE Adeyemo, TO Mahlangu, BB Mamba, BM Brouckaert, CD Swartz, G Offringa, L Mpenyana-Monyatsi and MNB Momba. Household water treatment systems: a solution to the production of safe drinking water by the low-income communities of Southern Africa. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 36 (2011) 1120-1128.
  2. Mahlangu, TO, Hoek, E.M.V, Mamba, B.B, Verliefde, A.R.D. Influence of organic, colloidal and combined fouling on NF rejection of NaCl and carbamazepine: role of solute-foulant-membrane interactions and cake-enhanced concentration polarization –Journal of Membrane Science 471 (2014) 35 – 46.
  3. O.T., Mahlangu, J.M., Thwala, B.B., Mamba, E.M.V., Hoek, A., D’Haese, A.R.D., Verliefde. Factors governing combined fouling by organic and colloidal foulants in cross-flow nanofiltration, Journal of Membrane Science 491 (2015) 53 – 62
  4. OT Mahlangu, K.V.K.M. Schoutteten, A. D’Haese, J. Van den Bussche, L. Vanhaecke, J.M. Thwala, B.B. Mamba, A.R.D. Verliefde. Role of permeate flux and specific membrane-foulant-solute affinity interactions in transport of trace organic solutes through fouled nanofiltration (NF) membranes. Journal of Membrane Science 518 (2016) 203 – 215
  5. OT Mahlangu, R. Nackaerts, J.M. Thwala, B.B. Mamba, ARD Verliefde, Hydrophilic fouling-resistant GO-ZnO/PES membranes for wastewater reclamation. Journal of Membrane Science 524 (2017) 43 – 55.
  6. OT Mahlangu, R. Nackaerts, B.B. Mamba, ARD Verliefde, Development of fouling-resistant GO-ZnO/PES membranes for treatment of wastewater. Water Science and Technology 76(3) (2017) 501 – 514.
  7. Mahlangu OT, Mamba BB, Verliefde ARD. Effect of multivalent cations on membrane-foulant and foulant-foulant interactions controlling fouling of nanofiltration membranes. Polym Adv Technol. 2020;1–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.4986
  8. Mahlangu, O.T.; Mamba, B.B. Interdependence of Contributing Factors Governing Dead-End Fouling of Nanofiltration Membranes. Membranes 2021, 11, 47. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11010047
  9. Kajau A, Motsa M, Mamba BB, Mahlangu O. Leaching of CuO Nanoparticles from PES Ultrafiltration Membranes. ACS Omega 2021, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c04431
  10. Nthunya LN, Bopape MF, Mahlangu OT, Mamba BB, Van der Bruggen B, Quist-Jensen CA, Richards, H. Fouling, performance and cost analysis of membrane-based water desalination technologies: A critical review. Journal of Environmental Management 301 (2022) 113922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113922

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • Member, South African Chemical Institute (SACI)
  • Member, Professional Chemist South Africa (PrChemSA)
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of South Africa, Florida
  • Research and Development Manager, Khula Nonke Training and Development
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria

Projects

  • Design and Evaluation of a Cost-effective Household Drinking Water Treatment System.
  • Fouling of Nanofiltration Membranes: Mechanisms and Implications on Trace Organic Rejection
  • Novel, Stand-alone Membrane Unit for Drinking Water Production, Using Solar Energy – PROTOTYPE: Testing and Improvement
  • Influence of Membrane Fouling on the Removal of Pharmaceuticals
  • Are Membranes Implemented with Nanoparticles Able to Provide a Breakthrough in Water Purification?
  • Membrane Treatment of Polyol and Pharmaceutical Waste Streams
  • Water Loss Management Programme for the Department of Correctional Services
  • Process Audit for Magalies Water

Other

ORCHID link: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9706-729X