Dr Piwai Tshuma

Zimbabwe | In Zimbabwe, many communities rely on untreated or poorly treated water, putting public health at risk and exacerbating socio-economic inequalities. Traditional water treatment methods often prove expensive, energy-intensive, and inefficient in removing organic pollutants like dyes, emphasising the need for sustainable, cost-effective alternatives.

Water pollution from organic contaminants, such as dyes and pesticides, poses a significant environmental challenge, particularly in developing countries, where access to clean water is already limited. Industries such as textiles and agriculture contaminate water sources with hazardous chemicals, further complicating water scarcity. Dr Piwai Tshuma’s research addresses the growing issue of organic pollution in water by exploring the use of solar-driven photocatalytic degradation with monolithic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are advanced materials with a high surface area and tunable porosity, making them highly effective in adsorbing and degrading organic pollutants. The project provides an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solution for purifying contaminated water, utilising solar energy to power the photocatalytic process.

This is particularly relevant in Zimbabwe, where solar energy is abundant, and many rural and peri-urban areas lack reliable electricity infrastructure. Monolithic MOFs form a higher surface area and porosity when optimised, making them more efficient in the photocatalytic degradation processes. Additionally, they have greater stability and reusability than powdered MOFs, which is essential for real-world applications, reducing the risks of MOF disintegration and ensuring the long-term efficiency of the material during repeated use. The material must remain intact in photocatalytic water remediation and retain its catalytic properties throughout multiple use cycles. They also enable a more efficient water flow in treatment systems, preventing clogging issues common in powdered MOF systems. Moreover, integrating monolithic MOFs into filtration systems is easier, as they can be designed as a single unit, improving the overall efficiency of the process.

Solar-powered photocatalytic degradation provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional water treatment methods, making it particularly relevant for communities with limited access to conventional infrastructure and enabling them to manage their water resources more independently. Removing organic pollutants, such as dyes, will significantly improve water quality, reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases, and enhance public health. Dr Tshuma’s project presents a sustainable, solar-powered solution for water purification that addresses the pressing challenge of organic pollutants in water. It directly advances sustainable development, builds resilience, and fosters social cohesion in communities facing water quality challenges in Zimbabwe.

Dr Piwai Tshuma is a Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow in the Department of Chemical Sciences at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. She holds a PhD in Chemistry and an MSc in Materials Chemistry from the same institution. Her fields of specialisation include designing functionalised metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and other porous materials for sustainable applications, such as catalytic CO₂ conversion to fuels and environmental remediation. Her current research focuses on solar-driven photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants using monolithic MOFs to address water contamination challenges. Dr Tshuma has published widely in high-impact journals and presented her work internationally. She has also received prestigious awards, including the OWSD Early Career Fellowship.