Vuyolwethu Tokoyi | Chemistry and Materials Science | Innovative Research Award

Published on by Forensic Scientist Awards

Innovative Research Award

Vuyolwethu Tokoyi
Researcher Vuyolwethu Tokoyi
Affiliation Durban University of Technology
Country South Africa
Scopus ID 57220000160
Documents 10
Citations 11
h-index 2
Subject Area Chemistry and Materials Science
Event International Forensic Scientist Awards
ORCID 0000-0002-3349-2975

Vuyolwethu Tokoyi
Durban University of Technology, South Africa

Vuyolwethu Tokoyi is affiliated with Durban University of Technology, South Africa, and has contributed to interdisciplinary research spanning chemistry, materials science, catalysis, biomass valorization, photocatalysis, and sustainable materials engineering. The scholarly profile demonstrates continued engagement with environmentally focused research, particularly through the development of catalytic materials, ionic liquids, metal-organic frameworks, and biomass-derived value-added chemicals. The researcher has published peer-reviewed scientific works indexed in Scopus while contributing to the advancement of sustainable chemical technologies and circular economy initiatives.[1]

Abstract

The research activities of Vuyolwethu Tokoyi emphasize sustainable chemical processes, catalytic material development, biomass conversion, and environmentally responsible technologies. Published investigations include ionic liquid catalysis for biomass valorization, photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, metal-organic framework synthesis, catalytic hydrogenation, and sustainable bioplastic applications. These contributions reflect a commitment to green chemistry principles while addressing contemporary challenges in resource efficiency and advanced materials research.[2]

Keywords

Green Chemistry, Catalysis, Materials Science, Ionic Liquids, Metal-Organic Frameworks, Biomass Valorization, Photocatalysis, Sustainable Materials, Circular Economy, Chemical Engineering.

Introduction

Modern chemistry increasingly focuses on sustainable production pathways that minimize waste while maximizing resource utilization. Research involving catalytic transformations, renewable feedstocks, and advanced functional materials has become essential for industrial innovation and environmental protection. Within this context, the published work of Vuyolwethu Tokoyi contributes to ongoing scientific efforts directed toward cleaner chemical technologies and efficient catalytic systems.[3]

Research Profile

According to the available Scopus profile, the researcher has authored ten indexed publications with eleven citations and an h-index of two. Research outputs primarily focus on chemistry and materials science while integrating catalytic reaction engineering, biomass processing, photocatalytic remediation, and functional porous materials. The publication portfolio demonstrates consistent participation in collaborative scientific research with applications in sustainability and industrial chemistry.[1]

Research Contributions

  • Development of ionic liquid catalytic systems for sugarcane bagasse conversion into 5-HMF and aliphatic acids.
  • Investigation of photocatalytic mineralization using response surface methodology with COD and TOC optimization.
  • Design of Ni/Zn metal-organic frameworks for catalytic sorbitol production.
  • Research on bifunctional ferrocene-based MOF materials for dye adsorption and degradation.
  • Contribution to sustainable bioplastic recycling and circular economy research.

Publications

Recent scholarly outputs include research published in the Journal of Ionic Liquids, Catalysts, Molecules, Chemical Engineering Transactions, and a book chapter on bioplastic sustainability.[4]

Research Impact

The available publication record indicates an emerging research trajectory centered on environmentally sustainable chemistry and catalytic innovation. Contributions to biomass utilization, advanced catalytic materials, and pollution mitigation align with international priorities concerning renewable resources and cleaner manufacturing technologies. The combination of peer-reviewed journal publications and interdisciplinary collaboration supports continued academic development.[5]

Award Suitability

Based on the documented publication record, research themes, and demonstrated engagement in sustainable chemistry and materials science, the profile is consistent with the objectives of the Innovative Research Award presented during the International Forensic Scientist Awards. The multidisciplinary nature of the research, together with contributions to green technologies and catalytic science, illustrates scientific innovation while remaining aligned with evidence available from indexed scholarly outputs.[1]

Conclusion

Vuyolwethu Tokoyi has established a developing academic profile within chemistry and materials science through research focused on catalysis, sustainable materials, biomass valorization, and environmental remediation. The documented publication portfolio reflects continued scholarly activity in internationally recognized journals and contributes to broader scientific efforts promoting sustainable industrial processes and advanced functional materials.[6]

References

  1. Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus Author Details: Vuyolwethu Tokoyi, Author ID 57220000160.
    https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57220000160
  2. Tokoyi, V., et al. (2026). Cogeneration of 5-HMF and aliphatic acid from sugarcane bagasse catalyzed by [p-Anis][HSO4] ionic liquid. Journal of Ionic Liquids.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jil.2026.100188
  3. Tokoyi, V., et al. (2025). Maximizing Anilinium Ionic Solid Mineralization Using RSM. Catalysts.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15121109
  4. Tokoyi, V., et al. (2025). Novel Ni/Zn MOFs for Sorbitol Production via Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation. Molecules.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30234565
  5. Tokoyi, V., et al. (2024). Ferrocene-Based Bimetallic MOF Beads as Bifunctional Dye Scavenging and Degrading Materials. Chemical Engineering Transactions.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.3303/CET24110082
  6. Tokoyi, V. (2024). Bioplastic Re/upcycling: Sustainability. Biomass-based Bioplastic and Films.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-71859-5_12

Ameneh Amani | Chemistry and Materials Science | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Ameneh Amani | Chemistry and Materials Science | Women Researcher Award

Bu-Ali Sina University | Iran

Dr. Ameneh Amani, an accomplished Iranian analytical chemist at Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran, specializes in electrochemistry, electrosynthesis, and electroanalysis, with a strong emphasis on green electrochemical methods, ionic liquids, and electrochemical oxidation mechanisms. Her research explores the electrosynthesis of organic compounds, electropolymerization, and electrochemical characterization of medicinal plant extracts for assessing antioxidant and biological activity. Dr. Ameneh Amani has authored and co-authored 36 peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus, accumulating 453 citations across 345 citing documents, and maintaining an h-index of 12. Her publications appear in prestigious journals such as Electrochimica Acta, Journal of Organic Chemistry, Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Scientific Reports, New Journal of Chemistry, Tetrahedron, and Journal of the Iranian Chemical Society. Her notable works include pioneering research on phosphonium-based ionic liquids in chemical processes, symmetric and highly conjugated benzofuran synthesis, and thermodynamic and kinetic investigations of aminophenol oxidation. Through these studies, she has advanced innovative, sustainable, and mechanism-driven electrochemical methodologies. Dr. Ameneh Amani’s contributions extend beyond research publications. She has presented extensively at national and international chemistry conferences, including the Iranian Seminars of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Congresses, and Biennial Electrochemistry Conferences, earning recognition for her insights into electrochemical oxidation mechanisms and herb–drug interaction studies.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

  1. Khazalpour, S., Yarie, M., Kianpour, E., Amani, A., Asadabadi, S., Seyf, J. Y., et al. (2020). Applications of phosphonium-based ionic liquids in chemical processes. Journal of the Iranian Chemical Society, 17(8), 1775–1917. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13738-020-01874-3

  2. Nematollahi, D., Amani, A., & Tammari, E. (2007). Electrosynthesis of symmetric and highly conjugated benzofuran via a unique ECECCC electrochemical mechanism: Evidence for predominance of electrochemical oxidation versus chemical oxidation. The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 72(10), 3646–3651. https://doi.org/10.1021/jo070161r

  3. Beiginejad, H., Amani, A., Nematollahi, D., & Khazalpour, S. (2015). Thermodynamic study of the electrochemical oxidation of some aminophenol derivatives: Experimental and theoretical investigation. Electrochimica Acta, 154, 235–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2014.12.014

  4. Sabounchei, S. J., Shahriary, P., Salehzadeh, S., Gholiee, Y., Nematollahi, D., et al. (2015). Pd(II) and Pd(IV) complexes with 5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl) hydantoin: Synthesis, physicochemical, theoretical, and pharmacological investigation. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 135, 1088–1096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2014.07.048

  5. Nematollahi, D., & Amani, A. (2011). Electrochemical synthesis of the new substituted phenylpiperazines. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 651(1), 72–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2010.11.029

 

Xiaoxuan Liu | Chemistry | Outstanding Scientist Award

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Prof. Xiaoxuan Liu | Chemistry | Outstanding Scientist Award

Professor | GDUT | China

Dr. Xiaoxuan Liu (刘晓暄), born in 1957 in Changchun, is a second-level professor and Ph.D. supervisor at the School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology. A foreign academician of the European Academy of Natural Sciences, he leads the provincial key discipline “Materials Science and Engineering” under the Peak Plan, with a specific focus on polymer materials. He currently serves as Director of the Guangdong Photocuring Advanced Materials Engineering Technology Research Center and has held multiple leadership positions in academia and professional societies worldwide.

Professional profile👤

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  • Distinguished Academic and Professional Standing

    • Second-level professor and PhD supervisor at Guangdong University of Technology.

    • Elected Foreign Academician of the European Academy of Natural Sciences (2024).

    • Recognized internationally with multiple prestigious honors including the Euler Medal (2024) and IAAM Scientist Award Medal (2022).

  • Leadership & Institutional Contribution

    • Leads the Key Discipline of Polymer Materials under the provincial “Pinnacle Plan”.

    • Director of the Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocurable Advanced Materials.

    • Played pivotal roles in talent training and academic administration, including serving as a former department head and leading innovation teams.

  • Research Excellence

    • Over 1300 million CNY in research funding in the past five years.

    • Directed numerous national and provincial-level major scientific projects.

    • Published 273 research papers (89 SCI-indexed, H-index: 47, over 9300 citations) in top-tier journals like Prog Polym Sci, ACS Macro Letters, J. Mater. Chem., etc.

  • Technological Innovation and Industrial Impact

    • 60 invention patents filed, with 40 granted – indicating strong technology transfer and innovation capabilities.

    • Extensive collaborative projects under industry-university-research integration.

🎓 Education

Dr. Liu earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Polymer Chemical Engineering from Dalian University of Technology in January 1982. Later, in December 2001, he completed his Ph.D. in Science at Sun Yat-sen University. His academic training laid a solid foundation in polymer chemistry and advanced materials engineering.

💼 Experience

Since June 2006, Dr. Liu has served as a professor in Polymer Materials and Engineering at Guangdong University of Technology. He was promoted to Ph.D. supervisor in the same year and chaired the department from 2010 to 2015. He is an active member of several prestigious societies including the Chinese Chemical Society and RadTech North America. His collaborative work spans academia, industry, and international research communities, making him a globally influential materials scientist.

🔬 Research Interests On Chemistry

Dr. Liu focuses on polymer photochemistry and photocuring technology, specializing in high-performance materials for coatings, membranes, and composites. His research integrates fundamental science and applied engineering, contributing to green manufacturing, photoinitiated polymerization, and advanced functional materials. Over the years, he has led more than 20 national, provincial, and enterprise-academic collaborative research projects, with research funding exceeding ¥13 million in the past five years alone.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Liu’s exceptional contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including:

  • 🎖️ IAAM Medal (2017) and IAAM Scientist Award (2022) by the International Association of Advanced Materials

  • 🏅 Euler Medal (2024) and induction as a Foreign Academician of the European Academy of Natural Sciences

  • 🥇 Outstanding Contribution Award from RadTech China (2023)

  • 🏆 Second Prize of Guangdong Science and Technology Progress Award (2022)

  • 🌟 Gold Award for Industry-University-Research Innovation from the China Association for Industry-University-Research Cooperation (2023)

  • 🧑‍🏫 Twice awarded the First Prize for Teaching Excellence by Guangdong University of Technology

  • 📰 Featured in Science and Technology Daily (July 25, 2016)

📚 Publications

Dr. Liu has published 273 academic papers, including 89 SCI-indexed and 48 EI-indexed articles, with over 9,311 citations and an H-index of 47. His most notable works include publications in:

1. Enhanced Silicone Coatings via Rapid Photocatalytic Hydrosilylation Using a Platinum Complex and ITX Photosensitizer

  • Authors: Yushu Zhang, Shufang Wu, Wenqiang Ma, Zhiquan Li, Xiaoxuan Liu

  • Year: 2025

  • Journal: Molecular Catalysis

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.mcat.2025.114993

2. Photocatalytic Hydrosilylation over Pt@UiO‐66‐NH₂: Enhanced Activity and Polymerization Kinetics

  • Authors: Yushu Zhang, Shufang Wu, Wenqiang Ma, Xiaoxuan Liu, Zhiquan Li

  • Year: 2024

  • Journal: Macromolecular Rapid Communications

  • DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400241

  • Citation Count: 1 citation

3. Metal-Free ATRP with Oligopyrene as a Photocatalyst under LED Irradiation

  • Authors: Shufang Wu, Yushu Zhang, Zhiquan Li, Xiaoxuan Liu, Yusuf Yagci

  • Year: 2024

  • Journal: European Polymer Journal

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2024.112802

4. Photobase-Catalysed Anionic Thiol-Epoxy Click Photopolymerization under NIR Irradiation: From Deep Curing to Shape Memory

  • Authors: Yaoxin Huang, Longji Li, Xiaoxuan Liu, Zhiquan Li

  • Year: 2022

  • Journal: Polymer Chemistry

  • DOI: 10.1039/D2PY00144F

  • Citation Count: 17 citations

5. Upconversion Nanoparticle-Assisted Cationic and Radical/Cationic Hybrid Photopolymerization Using Sulfonium Salts

  • Authors: Xiaoyan Meng, Longji Li, Yaoxin Huang, Xin Deng, Xiaoxuan Liu, Zhiquan Li

  • Year: 2021

  • Journal: Polymer Chemistry

  • DOI: 10.1039/D1PY01455B

6. Synthesis and Properties of CO₂ Copolymer-Based Waterborne Polyurethane with High Solid Content

  • Authors: Wenqi Xian, Jie Yuan, Zhengbin Xie, Wei Ou, Xiaoxuan Liu, Baohua Liu

  • Year: 2021

  • Journal: Journal of Polymer Research

  • DOI: 10.1007/s10965-021-02616-9

  • Citation Count: 12 citations ​

7. A Healable Waterborne Polyurethane Synergistically Cross-Linked by Hydrogen Bonds and Covalent Bonds for Composite Conductors

  • Authors: Yan Yang, Zushan Ye, Xiaoxuan Liu, Jiahui Su

  • Year: 2020

  • Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry C

  • DOI: 10.1039/D0TC00551G

8. Fabricated of Superhydrophobic Silanized Melamine Sponge with Photochromic Properties for Efficiency Oil/Water Separation

  • Authors: Peng Hong, Zhu Liu, Yang Gao, Yubin Chen, Mingxun Zhuang, Lijuan Chen, Xiaoxuan Liu, Hongping Xiang

  • Year: 2019

  • Journal: Advances in Polymer Technology

  • DOI: 10.1155/2019/9536320

9. Facile TEMPO Immobilization onto Poly(acrylic acid)-Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles: Preparation and Property

  • Authors: Guohui Huang, Xiaoxuan Liu, Yiling Bei, Huiqing Ma

  • Year: 2017

  • Journal: International Journal of Polymer Science

  • DOI: 10.1155/2017/9621635

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Xiaoxuan Liu is a pioneering figure in polymer materials and photochemistry. His interdisciplinary research, significant publication record, and global recognition position him as a key innovator in sustainable materials science. From developing next-gen photoinitiated systems to mentoring future researchers, Dr. Liu’s legacy continues to shine in both academic and industrial arenas.