Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering

Dr RA Sigwadi (Associate chair - Qualification development)

College of Science, Engineering and Technology
School of Engineering
Department: Chemical Engineering
Senior Lecturer
Tel: 011 670 9462
E-mail: sigwara@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • PhD (Physics) University of South Africa  
  • MTech (Chemical Engineering)  University of South Africa
  • BTECH (Chemical Engineering) University of South Africa
  • National Diploma : Chemical Engineering (TUT)

Fields of academic interests

Research Interests

  • Nanoparticles, nanofibres, nanocomposite membrane for fuel cell application

  • Nanocomposite  membrane for iron redox flow battery (grid) application

Field of Specialisation

  • Nanocomposite membrane in fuel cell application, nanoparticles, nanofibres

Journal articles

  1. Sigwadi, R., Mokrani, T. and Dhlamini, M. (2020). The synthesis, characterization and electrochemical study of zirconia oxide nanoparticles for fuel cell application. Physica B: Condensed Matter, 581, 411842 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2019.411842
  2. Sigwadi, R., Dhlamini, M., Mokrani, T. and Msomi, PF. (2020). Nafion® reinforced with polyacrylonitrile/ZrO2 nanofibers for direct methanol fuel cell application. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.49978.
  3. Sigwadi, R., Dhlamini, M., Mokrani, T. and Nemavhola, F. (2019). Preparation of a high surface area zirconium oxide for fuel cell application. International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, 14(1):5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40712-019-0102-9
  4. Sigwadi,      R., Dhlamini, M. S., Mokrani, T. and Nemavhola, F. (2019). Structural      morphology and electronic conductivity of blended Nafion®-polyacrylonitrile/zirconium phosphate nanofibres. International      Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, 14(1):2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40712-019-0098-1
  5. Sigwadi, R., Dhlamini, M.S., Mokrani, T. and Nemavhola, F. (2019). Enhancing the mechanical properties of  zirconia/Nafion® nanocomposite membrane through carbon nanotubes for fuel      cell application. Heliyon, 5(7):e02112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02112

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

Professional Affiliation

  • Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA): Candidate Technologist
  • South African Chemical Institute (SACI)



Projects

  • Synthesis of nanocomposite membrane in fuel cell applications

Other

Biography

Dr Sigwadi is a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET), University of South Africa (Unisa). She is doing research in the area of nanocomposite membrane for fuel cell application. She has formerly held positions as a metallurgist at the SGS in the Hydrometallurgical Department, and at Mintek as a tech-trainee (in-service training) in the Mineral Processing Department.