Dr Edith Antunes

QUALIFICATIONS:
 
Doctor of Philosophy, Chemistry - Rhodes University 2003
MSc, Chemistry - Rhodes University 2000
BSc Honours, Chemistry - Rhodes University 1997
BSc, Chemistry and Geology - Rhodes University 1996

                        
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

Position:    Post-doctoral student (Prof. S. Daya).
Organisation:    Rhodes University
Appointment:    Jan 2003 – Dec 2003
    
Position:    Post doctoral student (Prof. P. Kaye).
Organisation:    Rhodes University
Appointment:    Jan 2004 – July 2004

Position:    Post doctoral student (Prof. W. Gerwick).
Organisation:    Oregon State University, Oregon, USA
Appointment:    Aug 2004 – July 2005

Position:    Post doctoral student (Dr. D. Beukes, Prof. W. Gerwick).
Organisation:    Rhodes University
Appointment:    Aug 2005 – July 2006

Position:    Assistant Technical Officer (Chemistry Department).
Organisation:    Rhodes University
Appointed From: Aug 2006 – Dec 2006

Position:    Post doctoral student (Prof. T. Nyokong).
Organisation:    Rhodes University
Appointment:    Jan 2007 – Dec 2008
   
Position:    Research Officer and Co-ordinator of the DST/NRF Chair (Prof. T. Nyokong)
Organisation:     Rhodes University
Appointment :    Jan 2009 – present

Position:    Manager in the Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC) for Sensors
Organisation:     Rhodes University
Appointment :    Jan 2011 – present

RESEARCH OUTPUTS:

Chapters in books

1.  Authors : T. Nyokong, E. Antunes
     Reference : Photochemical and photophysical properties of metallophthalocyanines: The Handbook of Porphyrin Science. Eds. Kadish, K. M.; Smith, K. M.; Guilard, R., Academic Press: New York, Vol. 7, chapt. 34 pp 247-349, World Scientific, Singapore, 2010. ISBN: 978-981-4307-18-5.
 
2.  Authors : E. Antunes, C. Litwinski, T. Nyokong.
     Reference : Conjugates of nanomaterials with phthalocyanines: Intelligent Nanomaterials, Eds. A. Tiwari, A.K. Mishra, Y.K. Mishra, Wiley-Scrivener Publishing LLC, Salem, Massachusetts, USA. http://www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/ISBN978-0-470-93879-9.
 
Articles in Refereed/Peer-Reviewed Journals

Submitted: 
1. The synthesis and characterisation of magnetic nanoparticles and their interaction with phthalocyanines, Edith Antunes, Nomasonto Rapulenyane, Wadzanai Chidawanyika, Tebello Nyokong, Submitted to Inorganic Chemistry Communications, Manuscript ID:XXXXXXXXX.

2. Optical limiting analysis of phthalocyanines in polymer thin films. Jonathan Britton,a Christian Litwinski,a Edith Antunes,a Mahmut Durmu?,b Vongani Chauke, Tebello Nyokong, Journal of Macromolecular Science–PAC. MS#08-44.

Published or in Press:
1. Synthesis and photophysicochemical studies of a water soluble conjugate between folic acid and zinc tetraaminophthalocyanine, Phindile Khoza, Edith Antunes, Ji-Yao Chen, Tebello Nyokong, Submitted to the Journal of Luminescence, Manuscript number: LUMIN-D-12-00376.

2. Synthesis and physicochemical behaviour of aluminium trikis and tetrakis (diaquaplatinum) octacarboxyphthalocynine. Nduduzo. Malinga, Olga Dolotova, Roman Bulgakov, Edith Antunes, Tebello  Nyokong. Accepted Dyes and Pigments, (2012), DYPI-D-12-00234R1

3. Physicochemical behavior of zinc tetrakis (benzylmercapto) phthalocyanine when used to functionalize gold nanoparticles and in electronspun fibers, Sekai Tombe, Wadzanai Chidawanyika, Edith Antunes, Tebello Nyokong, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry 240 (2012) 50– 58.

4. Synthesis and photophysical behaviour of a novel low-symmetry zinc phthalocyanine containing a single carboxylic acid and three phenylthio substituents, Shaun Forteath, Edith Antunes, Wadzanai Chidawanyika, Tebello Nyokong. Journal of Luminescence 132 (2012) 2318–2324.

5. Photophysical behaviour of cationic 2-(dimethylamino) ethanethio tetrasubstituted phthalocyanine complexes in the presence of gold nanoparticles, T.P. Mthethwa, Y. Arslanoglu, E. Antunes , T. Nyokong, Polyhedron (2012), 38 (2012) 169–177.

6. Synthesis, photophysics and photochemistry of phthalocyanine-polylysine conjugates in the presence of metal nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus. Nolwazi Nombona, Wadzanai Chidawanyika, Edith Antunes, T. Nyokong, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry 233 (2012) 24– 33.

7. Increased fluorescence lifetime for β-phenylthio substituted zinc phthalocyanine upon conjugation to gold nanoparticles. Shaun Forteath, Edith Antunes, Tebello Nyokong, Polyhedron (2012), 34, 114–120.

8. Synthesis of phthalocyanine conjugates with gold nanoparticles and liposomes for photodynamic therapy. Nolwazi Nombona,Kaminee Maduray, Edith Antunes, T. Nyokong, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology (2012), 107,  35– 44.

9. Photooxidation of 4-chlorophenol sensitized by lutetium tetraphenoxy phthalocyanine anchored on electrospun polystyrene polymer fiber, R. Zugle, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong, Polyhedron (2012), 33 (1), pp. 74-81.

10. Comparative behavior of conjugates of tantalum phthalocyanines with gold nanoparticles or single walled carbon nanotubes towards bisphenol A electrocatalysis. Chauke, V.P., Antunes, E., Nyokong, T. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, (2011), 661 (1), pp. 1-7.

11. Synthesis and photophysical properties of a novel zinc photosensitizer and its gold nanoparticle conjugate. Moeno, S., Antunes, E., Nyokong, T. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, (2011), 222 (2-3), pp. 343-350.

12. Synthesis and photophysical studies of phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates. Nolwazi Nombona, Edith Antunes, Christian Litwinski and Tebello Nyokong. Dalton Trans., (2011), 40, 11876-11884.

13. Photophysical behavior of zinc monoaminophthalocyanines linked to mercaptopropionic acid-capped CdTe quantum dots. D'Souza, Sarah; Antunes, Edith; Litwinski, Christian; Nyokong, Tebello, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, A: Chemistry (2011), 220(1), 11-19.

14. Photocatalytic behavior of tantalum (V) phthalocyanines in the presence of gold nanoparticles towards the oxidation of Cyclohexene. V.P. Chauke; E. Antunes; W. Chidawanyika; T. Nyokong Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical (2011), 335(1-2), 121-128.

15. Synthesis and photophysical studies of CdTe quantum dot-monosubstituted zinc phthalocyanine conjugates. S. D' Souza, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong. Inorganica Chimica Acta 367 (2011) 173-181.

16. The determination of the photosensitizing properties of mercapto substituted phthalocyanine derivatives in the presence of quantum dots capped with mercaptopropionic acid. S. Moeno, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry 218 (2011) 101-110.

17. Identification and in vitro anti-esophageal cancer activity of a series of halogenated monoterpenes isolated from the South African seaweeds Plocamium suhrii and P. cornutum. E.M. Antunes; A.F. Afolayan; M.T. Chiwakata; J. Fakeel; M.G. Knott; C.E. Whibley; D.T. Hendricks; J.J. Bolton; D.R. Beukes. Phytochemistry (2011), 72(8), 769-772.

18. Cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry of a novel manganese phthalocyanine substituted with hexynyl groups. D. Quinton, E. Antunes, S. Griveau, T. Nyokong, F. Bedioui. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 14(1), (2011), 330-332.

19. Investigation of homogeneous photosensitized oxidation activities of palladium and platinum octasubstituted phthalocyanines: Oxidation of 4-nitrophenol. T. B. Ogunbayo, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong. Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical, Volume 334, Issues 1-2, 4 January (2011), Pages 123-129.

20. Interaction of quantum dots with zinc and indium tetraamino phthalocyanine. J. Britton, E. Antunes and T. Nyokong. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, A: Chemistry (2010) 210, 1-7.

21. The effect of point and number of substituents on the electrochemical behaviour of manganese phthalocyanine complexes. M. Coates, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong. Journal of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (2010) 14, 1-14.

22. Synthesis and fluorescence behaviour of phthalocyanines unsymmetrically substituted with naphthol and carboxy groups. N. Nombona, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong. Dyes and Pigments (2010); 86, 68-73.

23. Probing electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of cobalt(II) and manganese(III) octakis(hexylthio)phthalocyanine as self-assembled monolayers, P. Mashazi, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong. Journal of Porphyrins Phthalocyanines, (2010); 14: 932-947.

24. The effect of substituents on the photoinduced energy transfer between CdTe quantum dots and mercapto substitututed zinc phthalocyanine derivatives. S. Moeno, E. Antunes, S. Khene, C. Litwinski and T. Nyokong. DaltonTransactions (2010);14,3460-3471.

25. Photophysical study of a covalently linked quantum dot-low symmetry phthalocyanine conjugate. W. Chidawanyika, C. Litwinski, E. Antunes and T. Nyokong. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, A: Chemistry (2010), 212(1), 27-35.

26. Antiplasmodial and antimicrobial activities of South African marine algal extracts. C. Lategan, T. Kellerman, A. F. Afolayan, M. G. Mann, E. M. Antunes, P. J. Smith, J. J. Bolton, D. R. Beukes. Pharmaceutical Biology (2009), Vol. 47(5), 408-413.

27. Synthesis and photophysical behavior of axially substituted phthalocyanine, tetrabenzotriazaporphyrin, and triazatetrabenzcorrole phosphorous complexes. E. Antunes; T. Nyokong. Journal of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (2009), 13(1), 153-160.

28. Fluorescence studies of quantum dots and zinc tetraamino phthalocyanine conjugates. J. Britton, E. Antunes and T. Nyokong. Inorganic Chemistry Communications (2009), 12, 828-831.

29. Water soluble phthalocyanines mediated photodynamic effect on mesothelioma cells. N. Saydan, M. Durmus, M. G. Dizge, H. Yaman, A.G. Gürek, E. Antunes, V. Ahsen, T. Nyokong. J. Porphyrins Phthalocyanines. (2009), 13(1), 1-11.

30. Synthesis and photophysical properties of tetra- and octa-substituted phosphorous triazatetrabenzcorrole photosensitizers. E. Antunes, T. Nyokong. Metal Based Drugs (2008) Article ID 498916, 9 pages (published) doi:10.1155/2008/498916.

31. Photocatalytic transformation of 4-nitrophenol in aqueous media using suspended water insoluble metallophthalocyanine complexes. E. Marais; E. Antunes; T. Nyokong. Journal of Coordination Chemistry. (2008), 61(23), 3727-3739.

32. Synthesis and solvent effects on the photophysicochemical properties of novel cadmium phenoxy phthalocyanines. W. Chidawanyika, E. Antunes; T. Nyokong. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, A: Chemistry (2008), 195(2-3), 183-190.

33. Curcuminoids, Curcumin, and Demethoxycurcumin Reduce Lead-Induced Memory Deficits in Male Wistar Rats. A. Dairam, J. Limson, G.M. Watkins, E. Antunes; S. Daya. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2007), 55(3), 1039-1044.

34. Photocatalysis of 4-nitrophenol using zinc phthalocyanine complexes. E. Marais, R. Klein, E. Antunes; T. Nyokong. Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical (2007), 261(1), 36-42.

35. Synthesis and electrochemical properties of purple manganese(III) and red titanium(IV) phthalocyanine complexes octa-substituted at non-peripheral positions with pentylthio groups. G. Mbambisa, P. Tau, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong. Polyhedron (2007), 26(18), 5355-5364.

36. Halogenated Monoterpene Aldehydes from the South African Marine Alga Plocamium corallorhiza. M.G. Mann, H.B. Mkwananzi, E. Antunes, C.E. Whibley, D.T. Hendricks, J.J. Bolton, D.R. Beukes. Journal of Natural Products (2007), 70(4), 596-599.

37. Microwave synthesis and photophysics of new tetrasulfonated tin(II) macrocycles. S. Khene, A. Ogunsipe, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong. Journal of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (2007), 11(2), 109-117.

38. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, tolmetin and sulindac, inhibit liver tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase activity and alter brain neurotransmitter levels. Dairam, A.; Antunes, E. M.; Saravanan, K. S.; Daya, S. Life Sciences (2006), 79(24), 2269-2274.

39. Pyrroloiminoquinone and related metabolites from marine sponges. Antunes, Edith M.; Copp, Brent R.; Davies-Coleman, Michael T.; Samaai, Toufiek. Natural Product Reports (2005), 22(1), 62-72.

40. The effect of structure on the electrochemical properties of 14 marine pyrroloquinoline metabolites. Antunes, Edith M.; Maree, Suzanne E.; Nyokong, Tebello; Davies-Coleman, Mike T.; Maree, M. David. Journal of Chemical Research (2005), (12), 780-783.

41. 6-hydroxymelatonin protects against quinolinic-acid-induced oxidative neurotoxicity in the rat hippocampus. Maharaj, D. S.; Maharaj, H.; Antunes, E. M.; Maree, D. M.; Nyokong, T.; Glass, B. D.; Daya, S. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (2005), 57(7), 877-881.

42. Melatonin generates singlet oxygen on laser irradiation but acts as a quencher when irradiated by lamp photolysis. Maharaj, D. S.; Molell, H.; Antunes, E. M.; Maharaj, H.; Maree, D. M.; Nyokong, T.; Glass, B. D.; Daya, S. Journal of Pineal Research (2005), 38(3), 153-156.

43. Cytotoxic pyrroloiminoquinones from four new species of South African latrunculid sponges. Antunes, Edith M.; Beukes, Denzil R.; Kelly, Michelle; Samaai, Toufiek; Barrows, Louis R.; Marshall, Kathryn M.; Sincich, Catherine; Davies-Coleman, Michael T. Journal of Natural Products (2004), 67(8), 126871276.

44. The identification of the UV degradants of melatonin and their ability to scavenge free radicals. Maharaj, Deepa S.; Anoopkumar-Dukie, Shailendra; Glass, Beverley D.; Antunes, Edith M.; Lack, Barbara; Walker, Roderick B.; Daya, Santy. Journal of Pineal Research (2002), 32(4), 257-261.

45. DSC screening of potential prochlorperazine-excipient interactions in preformulation studies. Brown, M. E.; Antunes, E. M.; Glass, B. D.; Lebete, M.; Walker, R. B. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (1999), 56(3), 1317-1322.

Conference outputs:
 
1. Bioactive Peptides from Panamanian Marine Cyanobacteria. W.H. Gerwick, K.L. McPhail, R. Linington, E. Antunes. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. Abstracts, 41st Western Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, San Diego, CA, United States, October 9-13 (2007), GEN-196.

Oral Presentations:

1. E. Antunes: European School on Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies, Department of Science and Technoloogy, Pretoria, February 24th, 2010.

2. E. Antunes, T. Nyokong: Phthalocyanines and Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Applications, November 30th, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, 2010.

3. E. Antunes: Nanoparticles and their interaction with phthalocyanines, 40th SACI Convention, University of Johannesburg, January 16th – 21st, 2011.

4. E. Antunes, T. Nyokong: New generation PDT photosensitizers: Synthesis, photophysical and cytotoxic activities of phthalocyanine-conjugates, 3rd Georgian Bay International Conference on Bioinorganic Chemistry, Parry Sound, Canada, May 31st – June 4th, 2011.

5. E. Antunes, T. Nyokong. Magnetic nanoparticles and their interactions with phthalocyanines. NanoAfrica 2012, 4th International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. 1st - 4th April 2012

6. E. Antunes, T. Nyokong. Upconversion Nanoparticles and their interaction with phthalocyanines. The 7th International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines ICPP-7. ICC, Jeju, South Korea. July 1st - 6th, 2012.

Other Oral Presentations (student or NIC colleague):

1. Photophysical behaviour of Low Symmetry Zinc Phthalocyanines Linked to Mercaptopropionic-Capped CdTe Quantum Dots, 3rd African Laser Centre Student Workshop, Zevenwacht Wine Estate, Western Cape, South Africa, 23 to 26 September, 2010, Sarah D’ Souza, Edith Antunes, Christian Litwinski, Tebello Nyokong.

2. Combining the unique optical properties of Quantum dots and Phthalocyanines. South African Chemical Institute (SACI) 2011 CONVENTION, 16– 21 January 2011, University of Witswatersrand, Johannesburg. Christian Litwinski, Edith Antunes, Tebello Nyokong.

3. Modification of carbon nanotube-based electrodes through grafting and azide-alkyne click chemistry. Megan Coates, Edith Antunes, Sophie Griveau, Fethi Bedioui, Tebello Nyokong. NanoAfrica 2012, 4th International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 1st - 4th April 2012, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Poster Presentations:

1. Synthesis, photochemical and photophysical properties of metallated and unmetallated phthalocyanines. Inorganic 007, Club Mykonos, Western Cape, 8th-12th July, 2007,  E. Antunes, T. Nyokong.

2. Photophysical behaviuor of tetramethyl tetrapyridino zinc porphyrazinne (Zn-2,3-Tmtppa) in the presence of CdTe quantum dots, Inorganic 007, Club Mykonos, Western Cape, 8th-12th July, 2007, S. Moeno, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong.

3. The effect of the phthalocyanine core structure on the photophysical and spectroscopic properties of phosphorous macrocycles, 5th International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-5),  Moscow, Russia,  6-11 July, 2008, Edith Antunes and Tebello Nyokong.

4. Mn Phthalocyanine molecular electrode formed by electrochemical grafting and azide-alkyl click chemistry for the biomimetic activation of molecular oxygen, 61st Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry, Nice, France September 26th - October 1st, 2010.  Damien Quinton, Edith Antunes, Eva Cabet , Sophie Griveau, Fethi Bedioui , Tebello Nyokong

5. Covalent Modification of Carbon Electrode Surfaces by Electrochemical Grafting and Azide-Alkyne Click Chemistry, 61st Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry, Nice, France September 26th - October 1st, 2010,  Megan Coates , Edith Antunes, Eva Cabet , Sophie Griveau , Fethi Bedioui , Tebello Nyokong.

6. The behaviour of quantum dots in the presence of phthalocyanines. 6th International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-6), New Mexico, USA, July 4 -9, 2010, E. Antunes, J. Britton, S. Moeno T. Nyokong.

7. Surface Functionalisation of Electrode Surfaces using Electrochemical Grafting, Electropolymerisation and Azide-Alkyne Click Chemistry, 62nd Annual Meeting of the International Society of electrochemistry, Niigata, Japan from September 11 to 16, 2011, Megan Coates , Edith Antunes, Hichem Elamari, Christian Girard, Sophie Griveau , Fethi Bedioui, Tebello Nyokong.

8. The Optical Limiting Properties of Monoaminometallophthalocyanines and Quantum Dot Conjugates. South African Chemical Institute (SACI) 2011 CONVENTION, 16– 21 January 2011, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Jonathan Britton, Edith Antunes, Christian Litwinski, and Tebello Nyokong.

9. Electrochemical grafting and azide-alkyne click chemistry for covalent modification of carbon electrode surfaces. South African Chemical Institute (SACI) 2011 CONVENTION, 16– 21 January 2011, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Megan Coates, E Antunes, E Cabet, S Griveau, F Bedioui and  T Nyokong.

10. Synthesis and chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) evaluation of a phthalocyanine-poly (L-lysine) conjugate. South African Chemical Institute (SACI) 2011 CONVENTION, 16– 21 January 2011, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Nolwazi Nombona, M.F. Zuluaga, E. Antunes,  N. Sekkat,  N. Lange and T Nyokong.

11. The interaction of novel axially ligated [bis-(1, 6-hexanedithiol)SiPc with metallothionein protein. South African Chemical Institute (SACI) 2011 CONVENTION, 16– 21 January 2011, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Nkosiphile Masilela, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong, M. Stillman.

12. Molecular Design: Low symmetry phthalocyanine sensitised solar cells. South African Chemical Institute (SACI) 2011 Convention, 16– 21 January 2011, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Shaun Forteath, E. Antunes, T. Nyokong  and  D Schlettwein.

13. Synthesis and characterization of phthalocyanine-functionalized gold nanoparticles. Sekai Tombe, Wadzanayi Chidawanyika, Edith Antunes and Tebello Nyokong. NanoAfrica 2012, 4th International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 1st - 4th April 2012, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

14. Encapsulation of Cadmium Telluride Quantum Dots into a Zinc Sulphide Shell. Edward Sekhosana, Nkosiphile Masilela, Edith Antunes, Tebello Nyokong. NanoAfrica 2012, 4th International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 1st - 4th April 2012, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

STUDENT SUPERVISION:

Main Supervisor of:

Ms Nomasonto Rapulenyane (MSc)  Registered, Feb 2011
Ms Jessica Taylor   (MSc) Registered, Jan 2012
Ms Mpho Ledwaba   (MSc) Registered, Jan 2012

Co-supervisor of the following:

Mr Nduduzo Malinga  (MSc) Registered, Feb 2011
Ms Sekai Tombe   (MSc) Registered, Feb 2011
Ms Phindile Khoza (PhD) Registered, Feb 2011
Ms Thandeka Mthethwa  (PhD) Registered, Feb 2011
Mr Audacity Maringa (PhD) Registered, Aug 2011

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:

Analytical chemistry; Natural products chemistry; Synthesis and characterisation of phthalocyanines; Synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials.

OTHER RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:

October – November 2007: Visiting scientist at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom. (Prof. M. Cook)

September 2009: European School of Nanotechnology and Nanoscience, 2009, Grenoble, France.

November 2010: Visiting Scientist at Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. (Prof. N. Kobayashi).

 

Last Modified: Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:27:39 SAST