Polymer Nanocomposites with Hybrid Nanoparticles

Prof. Rotimi Sadiku is currently an Emeritus Professor at the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. Professor Emmanuel Rotimi Sadiku started his career as early as in 1976 as assistant Supervisor at the Zaria Industries Limited Nigeria and later received the Nigeria Government Scholarship to pursue a BSc [Hons.] (1980) degree at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. During this journey, he received numerous awards as best student and then, received the Nigeria government scholarship to pursue his PHD (1986) in Polymer Science at University of Strathclyde. He did a 1½ years postdoctoral fellowship at the CNR/University of Genova, Italy (1989/90) After receiving postdoctoral fellowship award (Swedish Institute Research Fellowship) he joined (1990) the Department of Polymer Technology, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. He did spend ½ year at the Faculty of Physics, Freiburg University as Visiting Scientist. In 1999, he later received South African Research Foundation (NRF) Fellowship award to join University of Stellenbosch, Institute for Polymer Science.

Dr. Gbolahan Joseph Adekoya is a polymer and materials engineer and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. He is a Y2-rated researcher of the National Research Foundation of South Africa. He holds a Doctor of Engineering in Polymer Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology, a Master of Science in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, awarded with distinction, from the University of Lagos, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Polymer and Textile Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. His research focuses on the design, characterisation, and computational modelling of functional polymer nanocomposites, with particular interests in hybrid nanofillers, conductive polymers, and two-dimensional nanomaterials, including MXenes, graphene, and borophene. He investigates polymer–nanofiller interactions and structure–property relationships to develop materials for electrochemical energy storage, flexible electronics, and biomedical applications. His work integrates experimental materials science with density functional theory, molecular dynamics, finite-element modelling, and data-driven approaches to understand and optimise material performance across different length scales. Dr. Adekoya’s academic experience spans research and teaching in Nigeria and South Africa, including lecturing at Yaba College of Technology, Tshwane University of Technology, and the University of Pretoria. He contributes to postgraduate supervision and has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on polymer nanocomposites, hybrid nanomaterials, and their applications. His scholarly contributions also include co-editing a book on polymer nanogels. His research and teaching connect the fundamental science of polymer-based materials with their development for practical engineering and biomedical applications.