Browsing by Author "Fuku, Xolile"

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    Development of nanostructured electrocatalysts using electrochemical atomic layer deposition technique for the direct liquid fuel cells By
    (University of Western Cape, 2020) Mkhohlakali, Andile Cyril; Khotseng, Lindiwe; Fuku, Xolile; MmalewaneModibedi, Remegia
    The depletion of fossil fuel resources such as coal and the concern of climatic change arising from the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and global warming [1] lead to the identification of the 'hydrogen economy' as one of the renewable energy sources and possible futuristic energy conversion solution. Sources of hydrogen as fuel such as water through electrolysis and liquid organic fuel (Hydrogen carriers) have been found as potential game-changers and received increased attention, due to its low-carbon emission.
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    Influence of quantum dot surface on electrochemical DNA sensing mechanism
    (Wiley, 2020) Fuku, Xolile; Baker, Priscilla; Iwuoha, Emmanuel
    Owing to their high surface‐to‐volume ratio, electrocatalytic activity, biocompatibility and novel electron transport properties, quantum dots (QDs) are highly attractive materials for the ultrasensitive detection of biological macromolecules via bioelectronic devices. In this study, a QD‐based genosensor was developed, in which Ga2Te3‐based QDs were synthesized using an aqueous solution approach by mixing 3‐mercaptosuccinic acid (3MSA)‐capped gallium metal precursor with reduced tellurium metal. The results enabled us to reach an original understanding related to the active material involved in the probe DNA sensing mechanism. The morphological and structural characterization of the QDs was performed prior to their utilization in a DNA sensor construction. High‐resolution TEM (HR‐TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images confirmed the spherical and crystalline nature of the QDs, whereas X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were able to confirm the oxidation states and formation of the prepared QDs. UV/Vis was capable of finding the optical band gap energy and the photostability of the QDs. The resultant Ga2Te3 QDs together with metal ions confirmed their use for DNA signal detection through their DNA binding mechanism in the genosensor construction. Genosensing in Cs+ and Li+ ions exhibited high sensitivity (2.74–3.69 μA ng−1 mL) and very low detection limits (0.4 pg mL−1) with a linear dynamic range of 0.1–1 ng mL−1.