William Wilson Anku

Curriculum Vitae of Dr William Wilson Anku ________________________________________ CSIR- Water Research Institute, P. O. Box AH 38, Achimota-Accra, Ghana Primary Email Address: williamanku85@gmail.com Alternate Email Address: williamanku@csir.org.gh Mobile Numbers: +233547507987/+233577035326 Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tK_Q8UQAAAAJ&hl=en ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5551-6130 ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/William_Wilson_Anku/research Personal Information: Surname: Anku First Names: William Wilson Gender: Male Citizenship: Ghanaian Date of birth: 20/12/1976 Research Interests: 1. Design of nanoparticles with unique structural and physical properties, and the assessment of their structure-property relationships. 2. Development and evaluation of photocatalytic, ion exchange, adsorption/filtration properties of metal oxide semiconductors and agro-industrial wastes-based nanomaterials for their practical application in water/wastewater treatment 3. Water/wastewater treatment Education: 2015 – 2018: PhD Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. 2005 – 2008: MSc Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana. 1999 – 2003: BSc Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana 1995 – 1997: Secondary School Certificate, Saint Augustine’s College, Cape Coast, Ghana. Employment History: 1. Research Scientist (March 2019-present): CSIR-Water Research Institute, Accra-Ghana. 2. Postdoctoral Research Fellow (February 2018 – January 2019): Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, South Africa 3. Teaching Assistant/Tutor (June 2015 – November 2016): Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, South Africa 4. Chemistry Tutor (January 2007-September 2014): Effiduase Senior High School, Effiduase-Ashanti (Ghana Education Service). Supervision of junior researchers at the graduate and postgraduate level: 1. PhD thesis supervision: (a) Student Name: Michael Kumi Institution: Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa. Thesis title: Integrated bone and biochar bed for contaminant removal from groundwater. (In progress). (b) Student Name: George Atongo Atia Institution: Department of chemistry, KNUST, Kumasi Thesis title: Fabrication of CNTs-metal oxide/polymer chemical sensors for gas sensor application and computational studies. (In progress). 2. MSc Thesis supervision: (a) Student Name: Esther Acheampong Institution: Department of Chemical Engineering, KNUST, Kumasi Thesis title: Synthesis of polysulphide intercalated layered double hydroxides for adsorption processes. (Completed). (b) Student Name: Sechaba Menyadi Institution: Department of Applied Chemistry, UJ, South Africa. Thesis title: Improving the thermoelectric performance of zinc oxide with Al3+, In3+ and 2D materials through the formation of superlattice structures. (Completed). (c) Student Name: Nokuthula Ndaba Institution: Department of Applied Chemistry, UJ, South Africa. Thesis title: Isolation and characterization of Drimia delagoensis phytochemicals and their application in diabetic foot ulcer treatment. (Completed). External examination of PhD/MSc theses and proposal reviews: 1. External examination of a PhD thesis from the Chemical Engineering Department of Vaal University of Technology, South Africa, 2021. 2. External examination of PhD thesis from the Physics and Chemistry Departments of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST-Ghana, 2020. 3. Reviewer for the 2021-2022 Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) National Fellowship Program of the USA. Scientific Reviewing Activities: Serving as a reviewer for the following journals: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, ACS Applied Nanomaterials, ACS Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, Journal of Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, Electroanalysis, Journal of Molecular Catalysis A, Inorganic and Nano-Metal Chemistry, Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, Recent Innovations in Chemical Engineering, Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Fibers and Polymers, Catalysis letters, Desalination and water treatment, Inorganic and Nano-Metal Chemistry. Professional Associations: • Research Scientist Association of Ghana • South African Chemical Institute (SACI) Leadership and volunteering activities: • Vice President of Water Research Institute Branch of Research Staff Association (RSA) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana (2021-2022). • Editorial board member of RSA-CSIR, Southern Zone (2021/2022). • Environmental Science Department Representative of Graduate Students Association of Ghana: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) branch (2005-2006). • Vice President of Volta Region Students Association: KNUST branch (2002-2003). • National Public Relations Officer of Ghana Students Chemical Society: KNUST branch (2002-2003). • General Secretary of Volta Region Students Association: KNUST branch (2001-2002). • Volunteer Teacher at Asukawkaw Senior High School in the Volta Region of Ghana (May-August 2002) Prizes, awards, fellowships: • Postdoctoral research fellowship: Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, 2018. • PhD studentship: Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, 2015-2018. • Students travel fund award: National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, 2016. • Best poster presenter at the 5th UJ Cross Faculty Symposium held at UJ-Bunting Road Campus, South Africa on 13th October 2015. • Second best poster presenter at the 3rd conference on “Emerging Frontiers for Sustainable Water” held at the Protea Hotel Wanderers, in Johannesburg, South Africa from 3-5 August 2015. Publication Record: A. Book Chapters 1. Otun, Kabir Opeyemi, Idris Olayiwola Azeez, Onoyivwe Monday Ama, William Wilson Anku, Uyiosa Osagie Aigbe, Kingsley Eghonghon Ukhurebor, and Robert Birundu Onyancha. "Sensing the Presence of Inorganic Ions in Water: The Use of Electrochemical Sensors." In Modified Nanomaterials for Environmental Applications, pp. 65-89. Springer, Cham, 2022. 2. Anku, William Wilson, Onoyivwe Monday Ama, Ikenna Chibuzor Emeji, Uyiosa Osagie Aigbe, Adelaja Otolorin Osibote, Peter Ogbemudia Osifo, and Suprakas Sinha Ray. “Functionalized nanomagnetic materials for environmental applications”. In Functionalized Nanomaterials Based Devices for Environmental Applications, pp. 127-145. Elsevier, 2021. 3. Khoele, Khotso, Onoyivwe Monday Ama, Ikenna Chibuzor Emeji, William Wilson Anku, Suprakas Sinha Ray, David Jacobus Delport, and Peter Ogbemudia Osifo. “Dynamic Degradation Efficiency of Major Organic Pollutants from Wastewater”. Springer, Cham, In book: Nanostructured Metal-Oxide Electrode Materials for Water Purification, pp. 1-18, 2020. 4. Anku, William Wilson, Onoyivwe Monday Ama, Suprakas Sinha Ray, and Peter Ogbemudia Osifo. “Application of Modified Metal Oxide Electrodes in Photoelectrochemical Removal of Organic Pollutants from Wastewater”. Springer, Cham. In book: Nanostructured Metal-Oxide Electrode Materials for Water Purification, pp. 151-166, 2020. 5. William W Anku, Ephraim M Kiarii, Sudheesh K Shukla, and Penny P Govender. “Photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceuticals using graphene based materials”. Springer, Cham. In book: A New Generation Material Graphene: Applications in Water Technology. pp 187-208, 2018. 6. William W Anku, Samuel OB Oppong and Penny P Govender. “Bismuth-based nanoparticles as photocatalytic materials”. InTechOpen. In book: Bismuth: Advanced Applications and Defects Characterization. pp 25-44, 2018. 7. William W Anku, Messai A Mamo and Penny P Govender. “Phenolic compounds in water: sources, reactivity, toxicity and treatment methods”. InTechOpen. In book: Phenolic Compounds-Natural Sources, Importance and Applications. pp. 420-443, 2017. B. Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications 1. Ahiahonu, Elvis K., William W. Anku, Ashira Roopnarain, Ezekiel Green, Penny P. Govender, and Mahloro H. Serepa‐Dlamini. Bioresource potential of Tetradesmus obliquus UJEA_AD: critical evaluation of biosequestration rate, biochemical and fatty acid composition in BG11 media. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology (2021). 2. Ahiahonu, Elvis Kodzo, William Wilson Anku, Ashira Roopnarain, Ezekiel Green, Penny Poomani Govender, and Mahloro Hope Serepa-Dlamini. Bioprospecting wild South African microalgae as a potential third-generation biofuel feedstock, biological carbon-capture agent and for nutraceutical applications. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery (2021): 1-16. 3. Obiri, Samuel, Gloria Addico, Saada Mohammed, Wilson William Anku, Humphry Darko, and Okrah Collins. Water quality assessment of the Tano Basin in Ghana: a multivariate statistical approach. Applied Water Science 11 (2021): 1-8. 4. Oppong, Samuel Osei-Bonsu, Francis Opoku, William Wilson Anku, and Penny P. Govender. Insights into the complementary behaviour of Gd doping in GO/Gd/ZnO composites as an efficient candidate towards photocatalytic degradation of indigo carmine dye. Journal of Materials Science 56 (2021): 8511-8527. 5. Ama Onoyivwe Monday, Khotso Khoele, William Wilson Anku, Suprakas Sinha Ray, Peter Ogbemudia Osifo, and David Jacobus Delport. Synthesis and Application of MnO2/Exfoliated Graphite Electrodes for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Degradation of Methylene Blue and Congo Red Dyes in Water. Electrocatalysis.11 (2020): 413-421. 6. Anku, William Wilson, Eric Selorm Agorku, Samuel Osei-Bonsu Oppong, and Anthony Yaw Karikari. "MWCNTs attached neodymium doped-ZnO photocatalysts for efficient removal of dyes from wastewater. SN Applied Sciences. 5 (2020): 1-13. 7. Karikari Anthony Yaw, Asmah Ruby, Anku, William Wilson, Amisah Steve, Agbo Nelson Wheatson, Telfer C Trevor, Ross, Glenn Lindsay. Heavy Metal Concentrations and Sediment Quality of a Cage Farm on Lake Volta, Ghana. Aquaculture Research. 5 (2020): 2041-2051. 8. Manyedi, Sechaba, William W. Anku, Ephraim M. Kiarii, and Penny P. Govender. Thermoelectric, Electronic, and Optical Response of Nanostructured Al‐doped ZnO@ 2D‐TiC Composite. ChemistrySelect 5 (2020): 13144-13154. 9. Renu Kumari, Adeniyi Olugbenga Osikoya Adeniyi Olugbenga Osikoya, Francis Opoku, William Wilson Anku, Sudheesh Kumar Shukla, and Penny Poomani Govender. Composite 2D Nanointerfaces for Electrochemical Biosensing: An Experimental and Theoretical Study. ACS Applied Biomaterials. 12 (2020): 8676-8687. 10. Onoyivwe Monday Ama, William Wilson Anku, Suprakas Sinha Ray. Photoelectrochemical degradation of methylene blue dye under visible light irradiation using EG/Ag-ZrO2 nanocomposite electrodes. International Journal of Electrochemical Science. 14 (2019) 9982-10001. 11. Onoyivwe Monday Ama, Khotso Khoele, William Wilson Anku, Suprakas Sinha Ray. Photoelectrochemical Degradation of 4-Nitrophenol using CuOZnO/exfoliated graphite Nanocomposite Electrode. International Journal of Electrochemical Science. 14 (2019) 2893 – 2905. 12. Ndaba, Nokuthula, Marthe Carine Fotsing, William Wilson Anku, and Penny Poomani Govender. In vitro and in silico studies of the antifungal properties of the bulb and leaves extracts of Drimia delagoensis Baker (Jessop). Advances in Traditional Medicine, (2019): 1-7. 13. Samuel Osei-Bonsu Oppong, Francis Opoku, William Wilson Anku, Ephraim Muriithi Kiarii, Penny Poomani Govender. Experimental and Computational Design of Highly Active Ce–ZrO2–GO Photocatalyst for Eosin Yellow Dye Degradation: The Role of Interface and Ce3+ Ion. Catalysis Letters. (2019) 1-18. 14. Renu Kumari, Adeniyi Olugbenga Osikoya, Francis Opoku, William Wilson Anku, Sudheesh Kumar Shukla, Penny Govender. Hierarchically assembled Two-dimensional Gold-Boron Nitride-Tungsten Disulphide nanohybrid interface system for electrobiocatalytic applications. Materials chemistry and physics, 226 (2019) 129-140. 15. Madima Ntakadzeni, William Wilson Anku, Penny Poomani Govender, Leelakrishna Reddy. Mo3S4 nanorod: An effective photocatalyst for the degradation of organic dyes in aqueous solution. Recent innovations in chemical engineering, 12 (2019) 61-9. 16. Madima Ntakadzeni, William Wilson Anku, Neeraj Kumar, Penny Poomani Govender, Leelakrishna Reddy. Pegylated MoS2 nanosheets: A dual functional photocatalyst for photodegradation of organic dyes and photoreduction of chromium from aqueous solution. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 14 (2019) 142-152. 17. S. O.B. Oppong, W. W. Anku, F. Opoku, S. K. Shukla, E. S. Agorku and P. P. Govender. Photodegradation of Eosin Yellow Dye in Water under Simulated Solar Light Irradiation using La-Doped-ZnO Nanostructure Decorated on Graphene Oxide as an Advanced Photocatalyst. ChemistrySelect 3 (2018) 1180-1188. 18. W. W. Anku, S. K. Shukla and P. P. Govender. Graft gum ghatti caped Cu2O nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of naphthol blue black dye. Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic polymers and Materials (2018) 1540-1551. 19. C.N. Peter, W. W. Anku, R. Sharma, G. M. Joshi, S. K. Shukla, P. P. Govender. N-doped ZnO/graphene oxide: a photo-stable photocatalyst for improved mineralization and photodegradation of organics dye under visible light. IONICS (2018) 327-339. 20. C.N. Peter, W. W. Anku, S. K. Shukla, P. P. Govender. Theoretical studies of the Interfacial charge transfer and the effect of vdW correction on the interaction energy of non-metal doped ZnO and graphene oxide interface. Theoretical Chemistry Accounts 137 (2018) 75-84. 21. Renu Kumari, Adeniyi Olugbenga Osikoya, William Wilson Anku, Sudheesh Kumar Shukla, Penny Poomani Govender. Hierarchically assembled two-dimensional hybrid nanointerfaces: A platform for bioelectronic applications. Electroanalysis. Electroanalysis 30 (2018) 2339-2348. 22. W. W. Anku, S. O. B. Oppong, S. K. Shukla, E. S. Agorku, and P. P. Govender. Cobalt doped ZrO2 decorated multiwalled carbon nanotube: A promising nanocatalyst for photodegradation of indigo carmine and eosin Y dyes. Progress in Natural Science: Materials International 26 (2017) 354-361. 23. S. O. Oppong, W. W. Anku, S. K. Shukla and P. P. Govender. Synthesis and characterisation of neodymium doped-zinc oxide–graphene oxide nanocomposite as a highly efficient photocatalyst for enhanced degradation of indigo carmine in water under simulated solar light. Research on Chemical Intermediates 43 (2017) 481-501. 24. W W Anku, S. O. B. Oppong, S K Shukla and P P Govender.Comparative photocatalytic degradation of monoazo and diazo dyes under simulated visible light using Fe3+/C/S doped-TiO2 nanoparticles. Acta Chimica Slovenica 63 (2016) 380-391. 25. W. W. Anku, S. O. B. Oppong, S. K. Shukla, E. S. Agorku, and P. P. Govender. Chitosan–sodium alginate encapsulated Co-doped ZrO2–MWCNTs nanocomposites for photocatalytic decolorization of organic dyes. Research on Chemical Intermediates 42 (2016) 7231–7245. 26. W. W. Anku, S. O. B. Oppong, S. K. Shukla, E. S. Agorku, and P. P. Govender. Palladium-doped–ZrO2–multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite: an advanced photocatalyst for water treatment. Applied Physics A 122 (2016) 579-587. 27. W W Anku, S. O. B Oppong, S K Shukla and P P Govender. Influence of ZnO concentration on the optical and photocatalytic properties of Ni-doped ZnS/ZnO nanocomposite. Bulletin of Materials Science 39 (2016) 1745-1752. 28. S. O. B. Oppong, W. W. Anku, S. K. Shukla, E. S. Agorku and P. P. Govender. Photocatalytic degradation of indigo carmine using Nd-doped TiO2-decorated graphene oxide nanocomposites. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology 80 (2016) 38–49. 29. M. Mzoughi, W. W. Anku, S. O. Oppong, S. K. Shukla, E. S. Agorku and P. P. Govender. Neodymium Doped ZrO2-graphene Oxide Nanocomposites: A Promising Photocatalyst for Photodegradation of Eosin Y Dye. Advanced Materials Letters 7 (2016) 946-950. 30. S. O.B. Oppong, W. W. Anku, K. S. Shukla and P. P. Govender. Lanthanum doped-TiO2 decorated on graphene oxide nanocomposite: A photocatalyst for enhanced degradation of Acid Blue 40 under simulated solar light. Advance Materials Letters 8 (2016) 432-438. Conference Presentations 1. Session Co-chairs: William Wilson Anku and Saada Mohammed. Session Title: Innovative sample preparation and detection techniques for legacy and emerging pollutants in different environmental matrices. Virtual SETAC Africa 10th Biennial Conference held from 20-22 September 2021. 2. W.W. Anku, S.O.B. Oppong, S. K. Shukla, E.S Agorku and P.P. Govender. Hetero-elements doped TiO2 for comparative photocatalytic degradation of monoazo and diazo dyes. SPEA9- 9th European Meeting on Solar Chemistry and Photocatalysis: Environmental Applications. Held in Strasbourg, France from 13th to 17th June 2016. 3. W.W. Anku, S.O.B. Oppong, S. K. Shukla, E.S Agorku and P.P. Govender. Cobalt-doped ZrO2 decorated multiwalled carbon nanotube: A promising nanocatalyst for photodegradation of indigo carmine dye. 4th YWP-ZA Biennial Conference and 1st Africawide YWP Conference. Held at the CSIR-Pretoria, South Africa from 16th to 18th November 2015. (Won second best presenter award). 4. W.W. Anku, S.O.B. Oppong, S. K. Shukla, E.S Agorku and P.P. Govender. Palladium doped-ZrO2-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite as an advanced photocatalyst for water treatment. 5th UJ Cross Faculty Symposium. Held at UJ-Bunting Road Campus on 13th October 2015. (Won best presenter award). 5. W.W. Anku, S.O.B. Oppong, S. K. Shukla, E.S Agorku and P.P. Govender. Cobalt-doped ZrO2 decorated multiwalled carbon nanotube: A promising nanocatalyst for photodegradation of indigo carmine dye. UJ Harvest festival. Held on 17 September 2015 in Perskor Building, DFC. 6. W.W. Anku, S.O.B. Oppong, S. K. Shukla, E.S Agorku and P.P. Govender. Palladium doped-ZrO2-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite as an advanced photocatalyst for water treatment. 3rd conference on Emerging Frontiers for Sustainable Water. Held at the Protea Hotel Wanderers, in Johannesburg, South Africa from 3-5 August 2015. References 1. Prof Penny Govender Director: Research Capacity Development (RCD) Postgraduate School: Research & Innovation, 101, Akanya Building APK campus, University of Johannesburg, South Africa Tel: 27845002689. Email: pennyg@uj.ac.za 2. Dr. Anthony Yaw Karikari Deputy Director: CSIR-Water Research Institute, P.O. Box M38, Achimota-Accra, Ghana Tel: 233208184215, E-mail: aykarikari@hotmail.com 3. Dr Monday Onoyivwe Ama Research Scientist: CSIR-National Centre for Nanostructured Materials, Meiring Naude Road Brummeria, Block 19B, Pretoria 0001, South Africa Tel.: +27733300486, Email: onoyivwe4real@gmail.com