University of Malawi

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Dr. Ephraim Vunain

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Research Areas

My research activities have been around water quality, water/wastewater treatment, mine-water remediation and management with a goal to develop cost-effective strategies and sustainable solutions that will ensure that water resources are maintained and preserved for future generations.,My research focuses on synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials for catalytic processes and water purification. ,

Profile

Dr Ephraim Vunain is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Malawi. Dr Vunain was born in Bamenda, Northwest Region of Cameroon and he obtained a Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) Degree in Industrial Chemistry from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Nigeria, in 1997. In 2011, he obtained a Master of Technology (M. Tech) Degree in Chemical Technology, cum laude, from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. The same year he enrolled for a PhD in Chemistry at the same institution where he obtained his PhD in 2015. Before joining the University of Malawi in 2016, he was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of South Africa (UNISA) for two years. He is a Lecturer and researcher with many years of teaching and research experience. His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials for water purification and catalytic processes. His research activities have been around water quality, water/wastewater treatment, mine-water remediation, pesticide residue analyses/remediation, and developing cost-effective strategies and sustainable solutions that will ensure water resources are maintained and preserved for future generations. He has over thirty (30) contributions to peer-reviewed journals, ten (10) book chapters in refereed books, and four (4) conference proceedings. He has received an award during his undergraduate studies as the best candidate in B. Tech (Hons) in Industrial Chemistry, from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State, Nigeria. He is a member of many science organizations such as the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), the Water Institute of South Africa (WISA), and the South African Chemical Society (SACI).

Publications

  • Journal Article
    E. Vunain, S. Richard Kadammanja, M. Namoto, Contamination level and ecological risk assessment of selected heavy metals in surface water and sediments from Mudi River, Blantyre, Malawi. (2024). DOI. 10.1007/s42108-024-00277-0. International Journal of Energy and Water Resources, Springer Nature Publisher. (2024)
  • Journal Article
    [1] Aubren C Chirwa, Cosmo Ngongondo, Ephraim Vunain, Influence of large-scale climate drivers on hydro-climate variability in Dwangwa River Basin, Malawi. Discover Atmosphere, (2024) 2:4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44292-024-00007-5. (2024)
  • Journal Article
    Geoffrey Chamdimba, Ephraim Vunain, Margaret Maoni. Assessment of particulate matter exposure on ambient air and its impact on workers at two granite quarry mines at Njuli, Southern Malawi. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (2023) 195:1069. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11708-6. (2023)
  • Journal Article
    Fanny Chipembere, Timothy Biswick, Ephraim Vunain. Adsorptive removal of cypermethrin from aqueous solution on activated carbon derived from tobacco stem wastes: equilibrium and kinetic studies. Journal of the Iranian Chemical Society (2023) https://doi.org/10.1007/s13738-023-02916-5. (2023)
  • Journal Article
    Mary Sieugaing Tamwa, Jacques Romain Njimou, Bruno Boniface Nguelo, Charles Péguy Nanseu-Njiki, Ephraim Vunain, Bankim Chandra Tripathy & Emmanuel Ngameni (2022): Electrochemical sensor based on green-synthesized iron oxide nanomaterial modified carbon paste electrode for Congo red electroanalysis and capacitance performance. Journal of Materials Research Innovations, DOI: 10.1080/14328917.2022.2125694. (2022)
  • Journal Article
    Justin Temwani Ng’ambi, Joseph Atehnkeng, Maurice Monjerezi, Cosmo Ngongondo, Ephraim Vunain, Connel Ching’anda, Alejandro Ortega-Beltran, Peter J Cotty, Limbikani Matumba, R Bandyopadhyay. Micro-climatic variations across Malawi have a greater influence on the contamination of maize with aflatoxins than with Fumonisins. Mycotoxin Research (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-022-00471-1. (2022)
  • Journal Article
    Kelvin Chomanika, Ephraim Vunain, Stanley Mlatho, Mayamiko Minofu. Ethanol briquettes as a clean cooking alternative in Malawi. Energy for Sustainable Development 68 (2022) 50-64. (2022)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, Joel Brian Njewa, Timothy Tiwonge Biswick & Adewale Kabir Ipadeola. Adsorption of chromium ions from tannery effluents onto activated carbon prepared from rice husk and potato peel by H3PO4 activation. Applied Water Science volume 11, 150 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01477-3. (2021)
  • Journal Article
    Philip Jailos, Peter J. Chimtali and Ephraim Vunain. Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Areas Surrounding Thundulu Phosphate Mine, Phalombe District, Malawi. Tanzania Journal of Science 47(3): 1310-1321, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v47i3.38. (2021)
  • Journal Article
    Joel B. Njewa, Ephraim Vunain and Timothy Biswick. Wastewater clarification and microbial load reduction using agro-forestry and agricultural Wastes. Tanzania Journal of Science 47(1): 19-33, 2021. (2021)
  • Book Chapters
    Ephraim Vunain (2021), Chapter 3: ‘Application of Nanomaterials for Remediation of Pollutants from Mine Water Effluents’ in book titled: Application of Nanotechnology in Mining Processes: Beneficiation and Sustainability. Editors: Elvis Fosso-Kankeu, Martin Mkandawire and Bhekie Mamba. Scrivener Publishing LLC, USA. (2021)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, Frank Chirambo, Samson Sajidu &Timothy Tywell Mguntha. Proximate composition, mineral composition and phytic acid in three common Malawian white rice grains. Malawi Journal of Science and Technology. Vol. 12, Issue 1, 2020 (2020)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, Effita Fifi Masoamphambe, Placid Mike Gabriel Mpeketula, Maurice Monjerezi, and Anita Etale. Evaluation of coagulating efficiency and water borne pathogens reduction capacity of Moringa oleifera seed powder for treatment of domestic wastewater from Zomba, Malawi. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 7 (2019) 103118. https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.jece.2019.103118. (2019)
  • Journal Article
    Chisomo Mussa, Timothy Biswick, Wisdom Changadeya, Annett Junginger and Ephraim Vunain. Levels and spatial distribution of heavy metals in Lake Chilwa catchment, Southern Malawi. ChemSearch Journal 10(2): 66–73. December, 2019. ISSN: 2276–707X. eISSN: 2384-6028. (2019)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, Chosadziwa Nkhuzenje, Jonas Mwatseteza, and Samson Sajidu. Groundwater quality assessment from Phalombe plain, Malawi. ChemSearch Journal 10(1): 1 –10, June, 2019. ISSN: 2276–707X. (2019)
  • Journal Article
    Yacouba Sanou, Mande Seyf-Laye Alfa-Sika, Ephraim Vunain, and Samuel Pare. Preparation and characterization of husk-based carbons: Effect of the temperature. Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques, 7(1) (2019) 150-157. (2019)
  • Conference Papers
    Ephraim Vunain. Growing Scarcity of Freshwater in Three Villages in TA Ngabu, Chikwawa District, Malawi: How the People are Coping and Need for Sustainable Approaches for Availability of Freshwater. In: Proceedings of the Expert Workshop ‘Modern and Traditional Ways of Water Resource Management in Africa, May 5th–9th May, 2019, Durban, South Africa. (Issue Editors: Stephen O. Ojwach, Precious N. Mahlambi, Chrispin Kowenje, Gnon Baba). Cuvillier Verlag, Göttingen, Germany, 2019, pp 235-247. ISBN 978-3-7369-7041-0. elSBN 978-3-7369-6041-1. (2019)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain and Timothy Biswick. Adsorptive removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution on activated carbon prepared from Malawian baobab fruit shell wastes: Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic studies. Journal of Separation Science and Technology, (2018) 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2018.1504794. (2018)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, Dégninou Houndedjihou, Maurice Monjerezi, Adolph Anga Muleja, and Barthélémy Tomkouani Kodom. Adsorption, kinetics and equilibrium studies on removal of catechol and resorcinol from aqueous solution using low-cost activated carbon prepared from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seed hull residues. Water Air & Soil Pollution, (2018) 229:366. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-018-3993-9. (2018)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, Phendukani Ncube, Kalala Jalama, and Reinout Meijboom. Confinement effect of rhodium(I) complex species on mesoporous MCM-41 and SBA-15: Effect of pore size on the hydroformylation of 1-octene. Journal of Porous Materials, 25 (2018) 303-320. DOI: 10.1007/s10934-017-0443-9. (2018)
  • Conference Papers
    Ephraim Vunain, Ajay Kumar Mishra and B.B. Mamba. (2018). Chapter 2: ‘Nanocomposites for Pollution Control’ in book titled: Nanocomposites for Pollution Control. Editor: Prof. Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain and Prof. Ajay Kumar Mishra. Imprint: Jenny Stanford Publishing, Taylor & Francis Group. Publication location: New York. (Chapter pages: 47–80). eBook ISBN: 9781315143682. (https://doi.org/10.1201/b22390). (2018)
  • Book Chapters
    Ephraim Vunain and A.K Mishra. (2018). Chapter 6: ‘Nanosensors as Tools for Water Resources’ in book titled: ‘Nanotechnology for Sustainable Water Resources’, Editors: Ajay Kumar Mishra and Prof. Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain, Scrivener Publishing LLC, USA. (Chapter pages: 177–198). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119323655.ch6. (2018)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, Davie Kenneth, and Biswick Timothy. Synthesis and characterization of low-cost activated carbon prepared from Malawian baobab fruit shells by H3PO4 activation for removal of Cu(II) ions: Equilibrium and Kinetics studies. Applied Water Science, 7(8) (2017) 4301-4319. DOI: 10.1007/s13201-017-0573-x. (2017)
  • Journal Article
    Olugbenga Solomon Bello, Bukola Morenike Lasisi, Olamide Joshua Adigun, and Vunain Ephraim. Scavenging Rhodamine B dye using Moringa oleifera seed pod. Chemical Speciation & Bioavailability, 29(1), (2017) 120-134. DOI: 10.1080/09542299.2017.1356694. (2017)
  • Conference Papers
    Ephraim Vunain. Mesoporous Silica-Based Membranes for Water and Wastewater Treatment–Overview, Challenges and Future Prospects. In: Proceedings of the Expert Workshop ‘Water Security’, 15th-20th June 2017, Mekelle, Ethiopia (Ed: C. Kowenje, S. Paré, B. Aswaf). Cuvillier Verlag, Göttingen, Germany, 2017, pp 123-134. ISBN 978-3-7369-9588-8. elSBN: ISBN 978-3-7369-8588-9. (2017)
  • Book Chapters
    Ephraim Vunain, A.K. Mishra and B.B. Mamba. (2017). Chapter 1: ‘A General Introduction to biopolymers’ in book titled: Biopolymers: Structure, Performance and Applications. Editor: Ajay Kumar Mishra, Chaudhery Mustansar Hussein and Shivani Bhardwaj Mishra. Nova Science Publishers Inc., Hauppauge, New York, USA. (Chapter pages: 1-17). ISBN: 978153611846-9. (2017)
  • Book Chapters
    E. Vunain, A.K. Mishra and B.B. Mamba. (2017). Chapter 1: ‘Fundamentals of Chitosan in Biomedical Applications’ in book titled: ‘Chitosan-Based Biomaterials; Fundamental Volume 1’. Editors: J. Amber Jennings and Joel D. Bumgardner. Woodhead Publishing, UK. (Chapter pages: 3-30). ISBN: 9780081002575 (eBook). ISBN: 9780081002308 (Hardcover). https://doi.org/10.1016/C2014-0-03147-4. (2017)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, AK Mishra and BB Mamba. Dendrimers, mesoporous silicas and chitosan-based nanosorbents for the removal of heavy-metal ions from aqueous solution: A review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 86 (2016) 570–586. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.02.005. (2016)
  • Journal Article
    Eyitayo Olatunde Olakanmi, Olatunji Mohammed Thompson, Ephraim Vunain, Mulalo Doyoyo and Reinout Meijboom. Effects of daniella oliveri wood flour characteristics on the functional properties of wood polymer composites (WPCs). Materials and Manufacturing Processes, 31 (2016) 1073–1084. DOI: 10.1080/10426914.2015.1037895. (2016)
  • Book Chapters
    E. Vunain, A.K. Mishra and B.B. Mamba. 2016. Chapter 2: ‘Overview of Polymer Composites for Heavy Metal Removal’ in book titled: ‘Heavy metals: Sources, Toxicity and Remediation Techniques’. Edited by Deepak Pathania, NOVA Science Publishers, Inc., Hauppauge, New York, USA. (Chapter pages: 1-23). ISBN: 978-1-63484-740-7. (2016)
  • Book Chapters
    Ephraim Vunain, S.B. Mishra, Ajay Kumar Mishra and B.B. Mamba. (2016). Chapter 1: ‘Nanoceramics: Fundamentals and Advanced Perspectives’ in book titled: ‘Sol-Gel Based Nanoceramics Materials’ Edited by Ajay Kumar Mishra, Springer Publishing AG, Switzerland. (Chapter pages 1-20). ISBN: 978-3-319-49510-1. eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-49512-5. DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-49512-5. (2016)
  • Book Chapters
    Ephraim Vunain, Ajay Kumar Mishra and Bhekie Brilliance Mamba. (2016). Chapter 4: ‘Dendrimers and mesoporous materials for heavy metal removal’ in book titled: ‘Nanomaterials for Water Remediation: Carbon-Based Materials, Volume 1. Edited by Ajay Kumar Mishra. Publisher: Smithers Rapra Technology Ltd, Shawbury, Shrewsbury, and Shropshire, U.K. (Chapter pages: 109-133). ISBN: 978-1-91024-254-4. eBook ISBN: 978-1-91024-252-0 (Hardback). (2016)
  • Journal Article
    Eyitayo Olatunde Olakanmi, Emmanuel Ademola Ogunesan, Ephraim Vunain, Ruth Anayimi Lafia-Araga, Mulalo Doyoyo and Reinout Meijboom. Mechanism of fibre/matrix bond and properties of wood polymer composites (WPCs) produced from alkaline treated daniella oliveri wood fibres. Polymer Composites, (2015) DOI:10.1002/pc. (2015)
  • Conference Papers
    Ndanganeni Mahangani, Ephraim Vunain, Reinout Meijboom, Kalala Jalama. Biodiesel production over ZnO/TiO2 catalyst: Effect of co-solvent, temperature and reaction time. Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2015 Vol II, WCE July 1-3, 2015, London, U.K., ISBN: 978-988-14047-0-1, ISSN: 2078-0958 (Print); ISSN: 2078-0966 (Online). (2015)
  • Conference Papers
    Vusumuzi C Zulu, Ephraim Vunain, Reinout Meijboom, Kalala Jalama. Waste vegetable oils to biodiesel over Al2O3 –supported SnO2 catalyst: Effect of support pore size. Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2015 Vol II, WCE 2015, July 1-3, 2015, London, U.K. ISBN: 978-988-14047-0-1. ISSN: 2078-0958 (Print); ISSN: 2078-0966 (Online). (2015)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, Naftali N. Opembe, Kalala Jalama, Ajay K. Mishra and Reinout Meijboom. Thermal stability of amine-functionalized MCM-41 in different atmospheres. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 115 (2014) 1487-1496. doi.org/10.1007/s10973-013-3350- (2014)
  • Journal Article
    Naftali N. Opembe, Ephraim Vunain, Kalala Jalama, Ajay K. Mishra and Reinout Meijboom. Thermal stability of Ti-MCM-41: Effects of Ti-loading amount and synthesis conditions. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 117 (2014) 701–710. DOI 10.1007/s10973-014-3750-2 (2014)
  • Book Chapters
    Ephraim Vunain and Reinout Meijboom (2014). Chapter 10: ‘Mesoporous Materials as Potential Adsorbents for Water Purification’ in book titled: ‘Application of Nanotechnology in Water Research’. Editor: Ajay Kumar Mishra, Wiley Scrivener Publishers, USA. (Chapter pages 269-284). Print ISBN:9781118496305. ISBN:9781118939314, DOI:10.1002/9781118939314. (2014)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, A.K. Mishra and R.W. Krause. Fabrication, characterization and application of polymer nanocomposites for arsenic(III) removal from water. Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers, 23 (2013) 293–305. DOI: 10.1007/s10904-012-9775-8. (2013)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, A.K. Mishra and R.W. Krause. Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)/polycaprolactone (PCL)-Fe3O4 composites: Preparation, thermal and mechanical Properties. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 114 (2013) 791–797. DOI: 10.1007/s10973-013-3004-8. (2013)
  • Journal Article
    Ephraim Vunain, Rehana Malgas-Enus, Kalala Jalama, and Reinout Meijboom. Effect of recrystallization time on pore size and surface area of mesoporous SBA-15. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, 68 (2013) 270–277. doi.org/10.1007/s10971-013-3163-x (2013)
  • Journal Article
    Sisero Dlambewu, Ephraim Vunain, Reinout Meijboom and Kalala Jalama. Biodiesel production from waste vegetable oil over SnO2/ZrO2 catalysts. International Journal of Engineering Science and Innovative Technology, (IJESIT), 2(6) (2013) 182-188. (2013)