Research Interests

• Wastewater treatment
• Coal research
• Emissions reduction
• Process waste minimization

• Coal desulphurization
• Coke quality improvement
• Coal related emissions reduction
• Photocatalysis and biological wastewater treatment

1. Tunde L. Yusuf, Olatunde Olalekan, Daniel Masekela, Seshibe Makgato, Damian C. Onwudiwe, (2024), Charge Redistribution in Nise2/Mos2 n-n Heterojunction Towards the Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin. ChemElectroChem, ISSN: 2196-0216, e202400309.
2. Marwa Yousry A. Mohamed, Hela Ferjani, Opeyemi A. Oyewo, Oluwasayo E. Ogunjinmi, Seham M. Hamed, Chahra Amairia, Seshibe Makgato, Damian C. Onwudiwe (2024), Monoclinic α-Bi₂O₃ nanorods by Microwave-assisted synthesis: Photocatalytic and antioxidant properties. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, ISSN: 1387-7003, 165, 112557.
3. Ravikiran Chintalapudi, Geetha Narayanan Kannaiyan, Bridjesh Pappula, Seshibe Makgato (2024), The Effects of Gradient Index, Aspect Ratio, Porosity, and Boundary Conditions on the Buckling Behavior of Functionally Graded Porous Beams: A k-out-of-n System Reliability Analysis. Results in Physics, ISSN: 2211-3797, 60, 107634.
4. Seshaiah Turaka, Venumurali Jagannati, Bridjesh Pappula, Seshibe Makgato (2024), Impact of Infill Density on the Fracture Behavior of ABS and CF-ABS Specimens Manufactured via FDM. Heliyon, ISSN: 2405-8440 , 10, e29920.
5. Geetha Narayanan Kannaiyan, Vivekanandam Balasubramaniam, Bridjesh Pappula, Seshibe Makgato (2024), Novel Kuhn-Tucker Conditions for Vibration Analysis in a Functionally Graded Porous Beam using the R-Program. Results in Engineering ISSN: 2590-1230, 22, 102064.
6. Opeyemi A. Oyewo, Sarah C. Motshekga, Seshibe Makgato. (2024), Recent and prospects of synthesis and application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in water treatment: A review. Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials, ISSN: 1574-1443, xxxxxxxx
7. Hanan Alhussain, Hela Ferjani, Opeyemi A. Oyewo, Seshibe Makgato, Damian C. Onwudiwe, (2024), Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange using CuO/Al₂O₃ nanocomposite obtained by microwave-assisted thermal decomposition route. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, ISSN: 1387-7003, 162, 112272
8. Olalekan C. Olatunde, Tunde L. Yusuf, Nonhlangabezo Mabuba, Damian C. Onwudiwe, Seshibe Makgato. (2024), Interfacial electron redistribution in 2D/3D MoS2/CuBi2O4 p-n heterojunction for visible light assisted reduction of Cr(VI) and oxidation of antibiotics. Journal of Water Process Engineering, ISSN: 2214-7144, 59, 105074.
9. Seshaiah Turaka, Ravikiran Chintalapudi, Narayanan Kannaiyan Geetha, Bridjesh Pappula, Seshibe Makgato. (2024), Experimental and Numerical Analysis of the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Unidirectional Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites.  Composite Structures, ISSN: 1879-1085, 331, 117887.
10. Lawrence Sawunyama, Opeyemi Oyewo, Damian C. Onwudiwe, Seshibe S. Makgato. (2023) Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline using surface defective black TiO₂–ZnO heterojunction photocatalyst under visible light. Heliyon, ISSN: 2405-8440 9, e21423.
11. Opeyemi A. Oyewo, Seshibe S. Makgato. (2023), Photocatalytic Reduction of Cr(VI) and Pb(II) with Biogenically Synthesized Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Using an Extract of the Myriophyllum spicatum Plant.  J — Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal (MDPI), ISSN: ISSN: 2571-8800, 6, 564–578. 
12. Damian C. Onwudiwe, Opeyemi A. Oyewo, Naledi H. Seheri, Mathato P. Motaung, Seshibe S Makgato, Sarah C. Motshekga. (2023), Synthesis of CuInS₂ nanoparticles and application in the photocatalytic degradation of Tetracycline. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology ISSN: 2666-4690, 18: 100212.
13. Damian C. Onwudiwe, Nombulelo Gobile, Opeyemi A. Oyewo, Seshibe S. Makgato. (2023), Photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium using Zn₂SnO₄–ZnO modified g-C₃N₄ composite. Results in Engineering ISSN: 2590-1230, 20: 101521.
14. P.P. Diale, D. Hildebrandt, D. Glasser, T.S. Matambo, S.S Makgato. (2023), An analysis of the processes, kinetics, and equilibrium of iron's biosorption on immobilized green microalgae. South African Journal of Chemical Engineering ISSN: 1026-9185, Vol. 45 210 – 220.
15. Makgato S.S., Chirwa E.M.N., (2022). An Evaluation of the Kinetic Properties Controlling the Combined Chemical and Biological Treatment of Toxic Recalcitrant Organic Compounds from Aqueous Solution. Catalysts (MDPI), ISSN 2073-4344, Vol. 12(965):1- 16.
16. Malebo Mollo., Andrei Kolesnikov., Seshibe Makgato, (2022), Simultaneous reduction of NOx emission and SOx emission aided by improved efficiency of a Once-Through Benson Type Coal Boiler. Energy, ISSN: 0360-5442, Vol 248: 123551.
17. S.S. Makgato, E.M.N. Chirwa, (2020), The Desulphurization Potential of Waterberg Steam Coal using Bacteria Isolated from Coal: The SO2 Emissions Control Technique. Journal of Cleaner Production, ISSN 0959-6526, Vol. 263: 121051.
18. S.S. Makgato, E.M.N. Chirwa, (2020), Recent Developments in Reduction of Sulphur Emissions from Selected Waterberg Coal Samples used in South African Power Plants. Journal of Cleaner Production, ISSN 0959-6526, Vol. 276: 123192.
19. S.S. Makgato, R.M.S. Falcon, E.M.N. Chirwa, (2019), Reduction in coal fines and extended coke production through the addition of carbonisation tar: Environmentally clean process technology. Journal of Cleaner Production, ISSN 0959-6526, Vol. 221: 684 – 694.
20. S.S. Makgato, R.M.S. Falcon, E.M.N. Chirwa, (2019), The effect of recycling coke oven tar on environmental pollution, coke quality, personnel and process safety. Journal of Process Safety and Environmental Protection, ISSN: 0957-5820, Vol. 126: 141 – 149.
21. Seshibe S. Makgato, Evans M. N. Chirwa (2019), Modeling Performance Evaluation of Microbial Desulphurization of Waterberg Steam Coal in CSTR. Chemical Engineering Transactions, ISSN 2283- 9216, Vol. 76: 145 – 150.
22. Makgato S., Chirwa E. (2018), Desulphurization of Medium Sulphur Waterberg Steam Coal in a Batch Operated Scale: Microbial Solution. Chemical Engineering Transactions, ISSN 2283-9216, Vol. 64: 523 – 528.
23. Chirwa E.M.N., Makgato S.S., Tikilili P.V., Lutsinge T.B. (2018). Bioremediation of Chlorinated and Aromatic Petrochemical Pollutants in Multi-Phase Media and Oily Sludge. In Bharagava R.N., (Ed.), Environmental Pollution and Mitigation, Book Chapter. 16, pp. 367– 384, CRC Press, Springer International, New York, NY, USA.
24. Makgato Stanford S., Chirwa Evans M.N. (2018), Performance Evaluation of Microbial Desulphurization of Waterberg Steam Coal as a Pre-Combustion Technique. Chemical Engineering Transactions, ISSN 2283-9216, Vol. 70: 553 – 558.
25. Evans M. N. Chirwa, Pulane E. Molokwane, Phumza V. Tikilili, Stanford S. Makgato, Emomotimi E. Bamuza-Pemu, Lindelwa Jay. (2018), Biological remediation and removal of radioactive metals and complex aromatic compounds from nuclear and radioactive waste. Chemical Engineering Transactions, ISSN 2283-9216, Vol. 70: 85 – 90.
26. Makgato Stanford. S., Chirwa Nkhalambayausi. E. M. (2017), Waterberg Coal Characteristics and SO₂ Minimum Emissions Standards in South African Power Plants. Journal of Environmental Management, ISSN 0301-4797. Vol 201: 294 – 302.
27. Makgato S. S., Chirwa E. M. N. (2017). Characteristics of Thermal Coal used by Power Plants in Waterberg Region of South Africa. Chemical Engineering Transactions, ISSN 2283-9216, Vol. 57: 511 – 516.
28. Makgato Stanford. S., Chirwa Nkhalambayausi. E. M. (2015). Photoassisted Biodegradation of Irradiated Organics in Simulated Nuclear Wastewater. Water Environment Research, ISSN 1061- 4303, Vol. 87 (5): 392 – 403.
29. Makgato S. S., Falcon R.M.S. (2013). The effect of substituting fractions of imported coking coals with coke oven tar on coal blend, carbonization and coke properties. The Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, ISSN 2225-6253, Vol. 113: 809 – 815.
30. Makgato S. S., Chirwa E. M. N (2010). Performance evaluation of AOP/biological hybrid system for treatment of recalcitrant organic compounds. International Journal of Chemical Engineering, ISSN 1687-806X, Vol. 2010, Article ID 590169, 10 pages, doi:10.1155/2010/590169.
31. Makgato S.S., Chirwa E.M.N., (2009), Photoassisted biodegradation of halogenated breakdown products in nuclear fuel recovery process water-hybrid reaction process, Chemical Engineering Transactions, ISSN 1974-9791, Vol. 17, 1167 – 1172.

Professional affiliation

• South  African Institution of Chemical Engineers – Member
• Engineering  Council of South Africa – Professional Engineer

• Coal blending
• Coal desulphurization, deashing and demineralization
• Treatment of industrial wastewater effluent

Biography:

Prof. Makgato serves as the Chair of the Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering at the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET) at the University of South Africa (UNISA). He earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pretoria and his MSc in Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand. With over 16 years of experience across various sectors—such as nuclear technology, operations metallurgy, mining, gas treatment, power generation, and academia—he brings a broad technical expertise to his role.

Prof. Makgato is a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and an active member of the South African Institute of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE). His research focuses on clean coal technology, wastewater treatment, and coke quality improvement. He specializes in coal desulphurization using pre-combustion techniques at the laboratory scale and enhancing coke quality by developing or optimizing additives to replace imported coking coals in blends. Additionally, his research includes photocatalysis and biological methods for treating toxic, persistent organic pollutants in wastewater.