Position: Lecturer                             
Department: Chemistry Department,
Contact: P.O.Box43844,00100-Nairobi, Kenya.         
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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RESEARCH AREAS
Electrospining and functionalizing nanofibers for use as adsorbents in removal of heavy metals in contaminated water.  Synthesis and functionalization of mesoporous silica with immobilized titanium (IV) oxide nanoparticles for the photo-catalytic degradation and subsequent mineralization of chlorinated pesticides, chlorinated organic compounds (COC’s) and emerging pollutants using advanced oxidation processes.

PUBLICATIONS  

Research and Publications in Peer reviewed Journals and Articles. 

  • I.W. Mwangi, E.M. Kinyua, R. Nthumbi, R.N. Wanjau, S. Swaleh, J.C. Ngila, 2021.  Iron (III) doped titanium dioxide coated dimensionally stable graphite anode electrode for electro-chemical treatment of domestic wastewater.
  • Nthumbi R M., Mwangi I. W., Ngila J.C* 2018.   Fe-Pd/TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles immobilized on grafted mesoporous silica for the dechlorination and mineralization of pesticide. Currently the article is under review.
  • JC Ngila, RM Nthumbi, M Onditi, AA Adelodun, PN Nomngongo, SM Musyoka, TG Barnard, and HK Okoro, 2017. Nanocomposite sorbents and ectrospun nanofibres for the removal of metals, organics and bacteria from water. Water Research Commission, Project No. K5/2365//3.
  • Muinde, V. M.  Onyari J. M.  Wamalwa, B. Wabomba, J. Nthumbi R. M., 2017. Adsorption of   Malachite Green from Aqueous Solutions onto Rice Husks: Kinetic and Equilibrium Studies. Journal of Environmental Protection 8(03):215-230.
  • Nthumbi, R.M., Musyoka, S. M Ngila, J.C. (2016). Dechlorination of Selected Pesticides in Water using Catalytic Bimetallic Fe-Pd Nanoparticles Immobilized on MgAlO Support. Chapter · January2016.  DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-31759-5_20.  In book: Crystallizing Ideas – The Role of Chemistry, pp.297-322
  • Nthumbi, R.M., Ngila, J.C. (2016). Electrospun and functionalized PVDF/PAN nanocatalyst loaded composite for dechlorination and photodegradation of pesticides in contaminated water. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23(20). DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7136-9.
  • Nthumbi, R.M., Adedeji A.A, Ngila, J.C. (2016). Electrospun and functionalized composites for removal of trace metals in contaminated water. (Journal of Physics and Chemistry of the Earth) DOI: 10.1016/j.pce.2016.08.007
  • Richard M. Nthumbi, Catherine J. Ngila, Brenda Moodley, Andrew Kindness, Leslie Petrik. 2011. Method development for flow adsorption and removal of heavy metals in contaminated water using electrospun nanofibers of Chitosan. Analytical letters 44 
  • Richard M. Nthumbi, Catherine J. Ngila, Brenda Moodley, Andrew Kindness. 2012. Application of chitosan/Polyacrylamide nanofibers in removal of chromate and phosphate. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of the Earth. 50-52:243.

Articles in progress 

  • Nthumbi, R.M., Ngila, J.C. Photocatalytic degradation of sweet crude oil using PVDF/PAN functionalized nanocomposite. (Publication in progress)
  • Nthumbi, R.M., Ngila, J.C. Electrospinning protocol for PAN/PVDF functionalized nanocomposite for the removal of bacteria contaminated water (manuscript in progress)

BOOK CHAPTERS

Magazine: Africa Technology Magazine
•    J Catherine Ngila, Adedeji Adelodun, Richard Nthumbi and Vyom Parashar (2015) Nanotechnology for Water Treatment in Africa African Technopolitan: Africa’s best last chance for development July 2015; page 51-57

PRESENTATIONS CONFERENCES/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS

  1. Participation in Workshop/Conferences

  • Analitika 2010 International Conference on Analytical Sciences, Stellenbosch, South Africa, December 5-9, 2010.
  • Faculty of Science and Agriculture Research Day, Pietermaritzberg September 23rd 2010.
    5th
  •  SEANAC Conference, 9th – 13th June, 2014, Reef Hotel, Mombasa Kenya, THEME: “From Wet Chemistry to Nano-Chemistry”- The Role of Analytical Chemistry in Building Vibrant Economies, Industries, Food Security and Environmental Management.
  • Workshop on the NRF flagship program: Nanotechnology for water treatment, Stellenbosch, South Africa, December 6-7, 2009.
  • 15th WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium: Theme, 'IWRM: An effective response to water-energy-food security challenges under changing climate. Lilongwe, Malawi, 29th – 31st October 2014.
  • International Symposium on macro- and Supramolecular Architects and Materials (MAM14): From Innovation to Commercialization; Emperors Palace Hotel, Johannesburg RSA, 23-27 November 2014
  • The 16 WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium. Theme Infrastructural Planning for Water Security in Eastern and Southern Africa The University of the Mauritius is the lead host of the 16 Symposium Le Meridienlle Maurice Hotel, 28 – 30 October. 2015.
  • DST/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Symposium at Rhodes University, 28-29 Oct 2015 (I got an Award for 3rd Best Presenter).

2.    Presentation of papers at Academic and Professional Conferences.

  • Richard M. Nthumbi, Catherine J. Ngila, Brenda Moodley, Andrew Kindness. Removal of Cr(VI) and PO43- using electrospun chitosan polyacrylamide nanofibers. Analitika 2010 International Conference on Analytical Sciences, Stellenbosch, South Africa, December 5-9, 2010. 
  • Richard M. Nthumbi Catherine J. Ngila, Brenda Moodley, Andrew Kindness. Electrospun chitosan nanofiber blends for adsorption for removal of PO43- and CrO42- ions from contaminated water Faculty of Science and Agriculture Research day. Pietermaritzberg September 23rd 2010.
  • Richard M. Nthumbi, Catherine J. Ngila, Brenda Moodley, Andrew Kindness, Leslie Petrik. Electrospun chitosan nanofiber blends for adsorption of ions in contaminated water Workshop on the NRF flagship program: Nanotechnology for water treatment, Stellenbosch, South Africa, December 6-7, 2009.
  • Richard M. Nthumbi, Catherine J. Ngila, Brenda Moodley, Andrew Kindness. Removal of Cr(VI) and PO43- using electrospun chitosan polyacrylamide nanofibers. The Inaugural Conference on Nanotechnology and Material Science in Kenya. Kenyatta University, 18th-20th July 2012
  • R.M. Nthumbi, S. Musyoka, J.C. Ngila, T. Msagati, D. Andala (2013). Dechlorination of selected pesticides using catalytic Fe/ Pd nanoparticles immobilized on mixed metal oxide, MgAlO support. O14 WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA, Whitesands Hotel Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania, 30 October 1 November 2013
  • R.M. Nthumbi, S. M. Musyoka, J.C. Ngila, T. Msagati, D. Andala (2014). Catalytic dechlorination of selected pesticides in water using Fe/Pd nanoparticles immobilized on mixed metal oxide support: 5th SEANAC Conference, 9th – 13th June, 2014, Reef Hotel, Mombasa Kenya, THEME: “From Wet Chemistry to Nano-Chemistry”- The Role of Analytical Chemistry in Building Vibrant Economies, Industries, Food Security and Environmental Management.
  • R.M. Nthumbi, S.M. Musyoka, J.C. Ngila* (2014) Electrospun and functionalized composites for the removal of heavy metals in contaminated water 15thWaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium: Theme, 'IWRM: An effective response to water-energy-food security challenges under changing climate. Lilongwe, Malawi, 29th – 31st October 2014.
  • R.M. Nthumbi, S. M. Musyoka, J.C. Ngila*, D. Andala (2014) Layer by Layer (LBL) electrospun and functionalized nanocatalyst loaded composites for dechlorination and degradation of selected pesticides in contaminated water. International Symposium on macro- and Supramolecular Architects and Materials (MAM14): From Innovation to Commercialization; Emperors Palace Hotel, Johannesburg RSA, 23-27 November 2014.International Conference of Pure and Applied Chemistry, ICPAC 2014 Mauritius 2014
  • R.M. Nthumbi, S.M. Musyoka, J.C. Ngila (2015) Electrospun and functionalized composites for the removal of heavy metals in contaminated water The 16 WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium; Theme Infrastructural Planning for Water Security in Eastern and Southern Africa The University of the Mauritius was the lead host of the 16 Symposium Le Meridienlle Maurice Hotel, 28 – 30 October, 2015.
  • R.M. Nthumbi (2015). DST/Mintek Nannotechnology Innovation Centre, Symposium at Rhodes University, 28-29 Oct 2015 (I got an Award for 3rd Best Presenter).
  • R.M. Nthumbi (2016) 17th WaterNet/WARFSA/GWPSA Symposium. Integrated Water Resources Management: Water Security, Sustainability and Development in Eastern and Africa Southern. 26 October 2016. Delegates to the 17th WaterNet/WARFSA/GWPSA Symposium which opened in Gaborone International Convention Centre.  Gaborone, Botswana.

PROJECTS AND CONSULTANCIES

  • Associate Consultant: Institute of Customer Services. 
  • Training in Total Quality Management (TQM) system
  • Training on ISO 9000 Quality standards.
  • Pesticide formulations
  • Pesticide safe handling, labelling and label development.

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

  • Member of The Chemical Society of Kenya.
  • Member SACI (South Africa Chemical Institute