Francis Opoku

Verified

Francis verified their affiliation via an institutional email.

Learn more

Verified

Francis verified their affiliation via an institutional email.

Learn more

• BSc (Hons) Chemistry and MPhil Inorganic Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; PhD Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Fabrication of a photocatalyst with the desired characteristics of high charge isolation and expeditious photocatalytic performance is crucial in photocatalysis. Constructing an interfacial chemically bonded S‐scheme heterojunction is an effective path to the realization of high interfacial charge transfer and performance. Herein, Mg‐Bi2O3/dark gra...

Water pollution by pharmaceutical drugs has raised concerns as this negatively impacts human health and the entire ecological system. Herein, a highly efficient Zn1-xCoxMoO4 photocatalyst with oxygen vacancy (ZCMx-OV) and enhanced visible light absorption was designed and synthesized through heteroatom inclusion. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscop...

Herein, controlled-release material for atrazine (ATZ) herbicide was formulated using different ratios of kaoline (Kao) clay-loaded starch (ST)-grafted chitosan (CHT). The materials were characterized by FTIR, SEM and EDX. The ATZ-release kinetics were studied using the zero-order, first-order and Korsmeyer–Peppas models. The percentage release of...

Galamsey, the unregulated artisanal small-scale gold mining in Ghana, is emerging as a significant global concern. Galamsey operations typically involve numerous unlicensed and untrained people at a multiplicity of sites who engage in the uncontrolled excavation of soil and/or water bodies using rudimentary tools. Aside from haphazard destruction o...

The ability of photocatalysis to clean up environmental contamination, notably in the treatment of water and air, has received extensive research. The composite materials synthesized by the coprecipitation method were made of ZnO and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with various concentrations of lanthanum doping (La-ZnO). It was discovered that L...

Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal malaria parasite. P. falciparum Hsp70 (PfHsp70) is an essential molecular chaperone (facilitates protein folding) and is deemed a prospective antimalarial drug target. The present study investigates the binding capabilities of select plant derivatives, iso-mukaadial acetate (IMA) and ursolic acid acetate (UA...

The bandgap of most known two‐dimensional materials can be tuned by hydrogenation, although certain 2D materials lack a sufficient wide bandgap. Currently, it would be perfect to design non‐toxic, low‐cost, and high‐performance photocatalysts for photocatalytic water splitting via hydrogenation. We systematically examine the impact of hydrogenation...

Global environmental pollution presents formidable obstacles to the long-term viability of the planet. This study synthesized current relevant literature with statistical snapshots from pollution statistics and reports and presented feasible recommendations to address the ramifications of global environmental pollution. A central focus is laid on t...

Polluted water contains a variety of toxic compounds that tend to affect human health. Farmers have recently looked at runoff wastewater as a source of irrigation water because it comes at no cost and is a more efficient alternative to potable water due to the high demand but limited supply. This present study assesses the quality and suitability o...

Photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants in water or wastewater is becoming a hot topic for environmental clean-up. Herein, a novel CeFeCu trimetal oxide (CFC TMO)/Bi2O3 (CFCB) photocatalysts were prepared through precursor mixing, ultrasonication, and calcination methods and used for photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethoxazole (S...

This present study investigated the presence, levels and health impact of some trace elements in rice sold on some Ghanaian markets using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A qualitative scan and a further quantification with the ICP-MS revealed the following elements; boron (B), phosphorous (P), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), zinc...

Using first−principles DFT calculations and taking into account the impact of in−plane biaxial strain, we thoroughly explore the optical, electronic, mechanical, transport, and photocatalytic properties of Al2OS/Ga2SSe vdWH. The most stable configuration of Al2OS/Ga2SSe vdWH is mechanically, thermally and dynamically stable. Moreover, Al2OS/Ga2SSe...

The availability of clean and safe water is a fundamental necessity for the sustenance of life and the well-being of our planet. Photocatalytic water treatment using nanomaterials has emerged as a promising and cutting-edge approach to address this pressing environmental challenge. In this work, a co-precipitation method was employed to synthesize...

Surface engineering has been proved as an efficient technique to boost charge separation and visible light absorption of semiconductor photocatalyst materials. Herein, we offer a first insight into the photocatalytic properties and electronic structure of cubic LaAlO3(001) modified with cubic BaTiO3 (001), (011) and (111) surfaces. Compared to the...

This study investigates the concentration of transition metals in imported and local rice brands on sale in some Ghanaian markets and the biochemical influences on the health of the Ghanaian population. A comparative analysis with previous studies in Ghana reveals that levels of Fe (3.64–4.44 mg/kg), Cd (0.03 mg/kg) and Cu (14.07–38.13 mg/kg) in th...

A hotspot in renewable energy research is visible-light-driven photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production. Monolayer stacking in the form of van der Waals heterojunctions (vdWHs) can be used for band gap engineering and the control of exciton dynamics for prospective nano-electronic devices. Using state-of-the-art hybrid dispersion-corr...

Food additives are used to enhance freshness, safety, appearance, flavour, and texture of food. Depending on the absorbed dose, exposure method, and length of exposure, heavy metals in diet may have a negative impact on human health. The X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer from Niton Thermo Scientific (Mobile Test S, NDTr-XL3t-86956, com 24) was used...

Abstract The alarming issue of endocrine disrupting chemicals increase in aquatic environment has heightened concerns about their potential impact on human health and ecosystem. Taking cognizance of this, the current investigation focused on fabrication of effective and efficient photoanode (MoS2/Ag@WO3/EG) from molybdenum disulphide/silver@tungste...

This study was performed on the water, bottom sediment and fish from four communities along the Asuoyeboah River, Kumasi, Ghana to explore the concentration and health risks of heavy metals. The impact of heavy metals on the ecology and aquatic toxicity was assessed with bioaccumulation factors and ecological risk indices. The sources and extent of...

We have carried out comprehensive experimental and density functional theory simulations of Co3Se4/BiVO4 heterojunction to understand the relationship between interface and enhanced photocatalytic activity. This study demonstrates the photoelectrochemical degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) with a photoanode developed based on S–scheme heterojunc...

During electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis of proteins, the addition of supercharging agents allows for adjusting the maximal charge state, affecting the charge state distribution, and increases the number of ions reaching the detector thus, improving signal detection. We postulate that in di-substituted arene isomers, molec...

Groundwater is regarded as a safe source of drinking water because it usually contains low microbial loads often requiring very little or no treatment before drinking. This study investigates water quality, health risks and the major factors controlling the water quality within the study area. From the results, the pH was acidic with a mean value o...

Photocatalytic water splitting for the generation of hydrogen can be achieved by utilizing highly efficient type II van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures as a novel class of materials with a highly tunable bandgap energy and band alignment. Herein, we constructed a CdS/SiH vdW heterostructure by stacking CdS on the top of SiH monolayers and investig...

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures are a new class of materials with highly tunable bandgap transition type, bandgap energy and band alignment. Herein, we have designed a novel 2D g-GaN/Sc2CO2 heterostructure as a potential solar-driven photocatalyst for the water splitting process and investigate its catalytic stability, int...

A suitable electronic structure and efficient charge separation are significant for the performance of photocatalytic water splitting. Herein, we have designed a two-dimensional GeI2/C2N van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure and systematically examined its stability, electronic, photocatalytic, optoelectronic and optical properties, and the effects o...

Contamination of food by heavy metals is a concern as consumption of contaminated food is one of the most likely human exposure routes to metals. Fufu is a delicacy in Ghana consumed mainly by the Akans. Human exposure to some heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Zn, Mn and Ni) through mechanically processed fufu consumption was analysed by atomic absorption spec...

Sustainable hydrogen (H2) production via photocatalytic water splitting is considered the most promising form of energy storage, in which two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures, composed of two or more 2D monolayer materials, have emerged as excellent H2 storage materials. Here, we have designed two-dimensional vertical ZrS2(HfS2)/BiOCl vdW...

Detecting toxic gases, especially greenhouse gases, is one of the most challenging and complex tasks to maintain a sustainable environment. Based on first-principles theoritical calculations, we investigate the sensing performance of HCN, NH3 and SO2 gas molecules on GaS ML with and without Ga-/S-vacancy defects. The selectivity was investigated ba...

Meat is a vital source of nutrients for human wellbeing and health; however, recent studies suggest a decline in meat preference as a protein source due to some health problems associated with meat intake. This study evaluates the levels of essential elements (Mn, Mg, P, Ca, K, Cu, Na, Zn and Fe) and proximate composition (protein, fat, moisture, c...

Surface water quality deterioration is one of the primary issues of the twenty-first century due to the high demand for drinking and irrigation purposes in most communities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of the Sisa river in Kumasi Metropolis, as well as the critical factors affecting its water quality and human healt...

The detection of SF6 decomposition products plays a significant part in identifying and assessing the electric discharge faults in SF6 insulation equipment. We performed dispersion corrected density functional theory calculations to study the adsorption performance of CoOOH upon SO2, SF4, SOF2, CF4, and SO2F2 toxic gases, to investigate their poten...

This paper aims to develop a Box–Behnken experimental design system to optimize the removal process of doxorubicin anticancer drugs. For this goal, Fe3O4/graphene nanoribbons was selected as adsorbent and removal of doxorubicin anticancer drug optimized using Box–Behnken experimental design with a selection of four effective factors. A three-level,...

Water pollution caused by the discharge of hazardous organic pollutants from the food, textile, leather and paper industries is becoming a task for sustainable development. Photocatalysis is considered to be an effective method for removing organic contaminants from dye wastewater. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO-based catalyst based on its abil...

Environmental pollution, particularly water contamination, is regarded as one of the most crucial global problems, where a semiconductor photocatalyst towards organic pollutant degradation driven by photocatalysis is a promising technique. Herein, novel Eu–TiO2–GO composites with excellent photocatalytic performance were fabricated via simple and g...

The 1,l/-bis(2-phenylethan-1-ol)ferrocene, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluoro phosphate (BMPF6) and NiO-SWCNTs were used to modify carbon paste electrode (BPOFc/BMPF6/NiO-SWCNTs/CPE), which could act as an electro-catalytic tool for the analysis of N -acetylcysteine in this work. The BPOFc/BMPF6/NiO-SWCNTs/CPE with high electrical conductivity...

Environmental pollution is a global threat that is growing daily because of changing lifestyles, heavy industrialization, and urbanization. Hence, with increasing environmental awareness and concerns, there is a need to remove discarded pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), organic dyes, personal care product...

In this study, composite two-dimensional (2D) materials consisting of graphene (Gr) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) were coalesced with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through a self-assembly process to boost the conductivity of the resulting graphene−tungsten disulfide−gold nanoparticles (Gr−WS2−AuNPs) nanointerface structure. Structural and morphological...

In this study, using self-assembly and electrostatic interactions we developed a sensitive 2D graphene-gold nanoparticles nanocomposite. Morphological and structural characterization confirmed the presence of crystalline 2D sp2 hybridized graphitic carbon material. The fabricated interface materials displayed fast electrocatalytic response to incre...

The design of van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures are of novel great importance to boosting the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. Herein, we propose first-principles hybrid density functional theory calculations for a two-dimensional gallium selenide/carbon-nitride (GaSe/C2N) vdWs heterostructure by investigating its photovoltaic performance, e...

Designing new van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures from various two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) materials shows outstanding properties, such as an ultrafast charge transfer process and strong interlayer interactions by combining the advantageous properties of the different TMD materials. In this study, using the density func...

Using density functional theory, we have systematically investigate the room temperature gas–sensing performance of two–dimensional delafossite cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) sheets as H2S, HCN and HF detection. Our findings show that CoOOH is sensitive to H2S, HCN and HF gas by a physisorption interaction. The CoOOH sheets exhibit significant changes...

Recently, fabricating type-II vertical van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructure is a promising material for hydrogen production. The absorption capability, charge density distributions, band alignments and electronic properties of the monolayers and heterostructures are systematically investigated using computational studies. Using ab initio molecular...

Combination of the features of graphene and CuO nanoparticles has been applied for simultaneous determination of two anti-cancer drugs, raloxifene and tamoxifen. Graphene and CuO nanoparticles were synthesized and pencil graphite electrode was modified by graphene-CuO-polypyrrole nanocomposite (GO-CuO-PP/PGE). Raloxifene and tamoxifen had distingui...

Monitoring the levels of toxic gas molecules could efficiently ensure the safety of human health and the environment. Herein, the adsorption behaviour, geometries, energies and electronic properties of H2S, CO, NO2, NH3 and CO2 gas molecules on the Si-doped g-C3N4/graphene surface were systematically investigated using density functional theory cal...

Due to the increased energy demand, a large amount of renewable energy is required to sustain the lives of people. The visible light semiconductors for photovoltaic cells with optical properties and a tunable bandgap have been studied to bring the solution to energy crises. Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors including gallium sulphide (GaS) and ca...

The design of sensors for detecting formaldehyde (HCHO) gas in the environment are vastly necessary since even at low concentrations, it is very harmful to human health. Herein, a novel, reproductive, selective and sensitive HCHO sensor has been designed by functionalising SnO2 with β12–borophene sheets for the first time via density functional the...

Recently, contamination of water resources has become a persistent problem to human due to advanced industrialization and rapid population growth. The major causes of water pollution are dye effluents from textile dyeing, pharmaceuticals, and paper printing industries. Therefore, cost-effective technologies, such as membrane filtration, adsorption,...

To date, Plasmodium falciparum is one of the most lethal strains of the malaria parasite. P. falciparum lacks the required enzymes to create its own purines via the de novo pathway, thereby making Plasmodium falciparum hypoxanthine-guanine-xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (PfHGXPT) a crucial enzyme in the malaria life cycle. Recently, studies hav...

Presence of phenazopyridine residues in water resources can be harmful to human body, hence it is very important to remove them from aqueous media. In this study, a magnetic nano-composite adsorbent, i.e. reduced graphene–iron oxide (rGO–Fe3O4) was synthesized and used for removal of phenazopyridine residues from wastewater samples. Experimental pa...

As future photocatalyst require high activity and structural stability, the demand for high-performance photocatalyst that increases photocatalytic conversion efficiency is of significant interest. In this study, Ce–ZrO2–GO nanocomposite was fabricated by a co-precipitation technique and used for the photocatalytic degradation of eosin yellow (EY)...

In this study, we report for the first time, the fabrication of hybrid dual 2D-nanohybrid structure as an interface system for electrochemical biosensing, bioelectronics, and electrobiocatalysis devices through self-assembly combination of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with hybrid 2D materials consisting of boron nitride (BN) and tungsten disulphide (...

Environmentally friendly municipal solid waste management is the biggest problem facing several developing countries, including Ghana. Heavy metals pollution generated by landfill leachate has become increasingly concerned due to its potential impact on human health. This study assessed the pollution level and sources of heavy metal levels in groun...

Background. Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal that can cause several adverse health effects based on its form (organic, inorganic or elemental), duration and pathway of exposure. Measurement of mercury present in human biological media is often used to assess human exposure to mercury at mining sites. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to mea...

In this study, CVD synthesized heteroatom graphene (HGr) bioelectronic interfaces have been developed for ultrafast, all-electronic detection and analysis of molecules by driving them through tiny holes – or atompores – in thin lattice of the graphene sheet, including the efforts towards facilitating enhanced electro-catalytic and mapping electron...

Understanding the connection between interfacial interactions and electronic properties are vital for the fabrication of ZrO2–based optoelectronic and nanoelectronics materials with desirable properties. In this study, the interfacial interactions, optical and electronic properties of WS2/ZrO2(001) heterostructures in the presence of an external el...

The present study sought to determine the content of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and eight phytocompounds in honey collected from twenty–three markets in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. The mineral and heavy metal contents were analysed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (novAA® 400P) and phytoconstituents by...

Over the past decade, remarkable efforts have been made to design low-cost, non-toxic, stable and efficient photocatalyst for water splitting. In the present work, an effective alternative approach to enhance hydrogen production of SrTiO3 was by coupling with MWCNT to form heterojunction followed by doping with Zr⁴⁺ ion. The observed type-II band a...

Health risk assessment and heavy metal accumulation were evaluated in the muscles of widely consumed Trachurus trachurus, Lutjanus fulgens, Lutjanus goreensis, Acanthocybium solandri, Pagellus bellottii, Scomber colias and Dentex congoensis fish species in Asafo, Ghana. The fish samples were prepared using a wet digestion method and the heavy metal...

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing highly efficient photocatalysts with a visible light active semiconductor as one of its components. Herein, visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of Gd-TiO2-GO nanocomposites were fabricated by sol–gel method. The photocatalytic property was evaluated for photodegradation of in...

In Ghana, a complete profile of heavy metals in lipstick products is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of some toxic metals in lipstick sold at different markets and shopping malls in Kumasi Metropolis. Twenty lipstick brands were analysed. The lipstick was chemically digested and then analysed for lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)...

Groundwater quality is an important factor used to determine the suitability of water for drinking, agricultural and domestic purposes. In this study, the effect of leachate from an open landfill site at the Oti community, Kumasi, Ghana, on the groundwater was investigated. A total of 42 water samples, 12 untreated leachate samples, and 6 treated l...

The depleting sources of non–renewable fossil fuels and their adverse effect on the environment have driven the global interest to find an efficient and suitable material for hydrogen generation via a water splitting process. In this theoretical study, a bifunctional graphene oxide (GO)/V–doped NaNbO3(100) heterostructure photocatalyst having a hig...

Organic pollutants from the industries and anthropogenic sources pose severe problems to both the environment and human health. Hence, there is the need to eliminate these pollutants from our water bodies, as safe drinking water is a major prerequisite for healthy life and also as precious resources for human civilisation. In this study, a photocat...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of selected heavy metals/metalloids in filling station dust from the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. A total of forty (40) dust samples were analysed for Fe, Ti, Zn, Zr, Mn, Sr, Ba, Cr, Pd, Ni, Cu, As and Mo using X-ray Fluorescence technique. Mean concentrations of Ba, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr,...

Background Cyanide is among the most harmful substances on Earth and it is harmful to humans and most aquatic life even at low concentrations. Free, total cyanide levels and other physicochemical parameters were determined in fish, cassava, cocoyam, dam and borehole water samples collected from Kenyasi, Ghana. A total of sixteen (16) water samples,...

In the 21st century, the growing demand of global energy is one of the key challenges. The photocatalytic generation of hydrogen has attracted extensive attention to discuss the increasing global demand for sustainable and clean energy. However, hydrogen evolution reaction normally uses the economically expensive rare noble metals and the process r...

Semiconductor-based photocatalysis has received increasing attention in energy storage and environmental remediation process due to the abundant solar energy. For this purpose, heterostructures of ZrO2 coupled with BiVO4, Ag3PO4, SrTiO3 and WO3 monolayers are designed to examine their potential applications in hydrogen production and degradation of...

Underground gold miners are potentially exposed to various levels of crystalline silica dust from the mining activities. In order to assess the silica content exposed to underground miners in Ghana, a study was carried out using a gravimetric dust sampler for which the samples obtained were analysed for its dust and the crystalline silica conte...

The global dependence on the inexhaustible fossil fuel has urged the search of an alternative renewable and sustainable fuel. Photocatalysis has gained increasing consideration as a promising technology to solve...

Graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based heterostructures have received much attention due to their prominent photocatalytic activity. The g-C3N4/Bi2WO6 and g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6 heterostructures, which follow a typical hetero-junction charge transfer mechanisms show a weak potential for hydrogen evolution and reactive radical generation under visible...

Although TiO2 is an efficient photocatalyst, its large band gap limits its photocatalytic activity only to the ultraviolet region. An experimentally synthesized ternary Fe/C/S-doped TiO2 anatase showed improved visible light photocatalytic activity. However, a theoretical study of the underlying mechanism of the enhanced photocatalytic activity and...