معرفی
Dr. Thabiso Kunene is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Hampton University, School of Science. His research lies at the intersection of molecular, materials, and surface chemistry, with a focus on functional materials for catalysis. He is actively engaged in advancing electrochemical methods for CO2 conversion and catalytic materials design.
Education:
- Postdoctoral Appointee, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL (2021–2022)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Inorganic Chemistry), University of Delaware, Newark, DE (2021)
- Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry (Biochemistry), Colby College, Waterville, ME (2015)
His research interests include electroanalytical chemistry, electrocatalysis, vapor phase synthesis, atomic layer deposition, and the chemistry of materials for CO2 conversion and CH4 oxidation. He employs vibrational and optical spectroscopy, electroanalytical techniques, and computational methods to study structure-activity relationships in single-site iron-based catalysts.
His recent publications highlight work on CO2 reduction using bimetallic films and ionic liquids, solar-powered hydrocarbon synthesis, and the characterization of novel inorganic materials. The research trends emphasize sustainable energy solutions, catalytic efficiency, and atomic-level understanding of material behavior.
Professional Memberships:
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)
- Materials Research Society (MRS)
Dr. Kunene mentors students in advanced materials research and leads projects aimed at designing tunable metal-oxo and metal-sulfoxo clusters for energy applications. His lab focuses on operando studies of catalysts, supported by spectroscopic and computational tools. While no specific grants are listed, his work aligns with federally funded areas in energy and materials science.
