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Robert Kwame Nkum

Physics

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About

Professor Robert Kwame Nkum was born on March 13, 1954, at Agona Bobikuma in the Central Region. He attended the Bobikuma Methodist Primary School between 1961 and 1967 and the Bobikuma Local Authoriry Middle School between 1967 and 1969. He sat for and passed the Common Entrance Examination in 1969 and gained admission into the Government (now Ghana) Secondary Technical School (GSTS), Takoradi with a Cocoa Marketing Board Scholarship. He completed the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) with Division 1 Distinction, in 1974. That same year, he was re-admitted into GSTS where he completed the GCE (Advanced Level) in 1976. In 1976, Professor Robert Kwame Nkum gained admission into the then University of Science and Technology to pursue a four-year degree programme in Physics. He completed the BSc (Physics) programme in 1980 with a Second Class (Upper Division). He went on to complete the two-year MSc (Physics) programme at the University of Science and Technology in 1983. In September, 1986, he left the shores of Ghana to the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, to study for the Doctor of Science (DSc) degree as a Lady Davis Fellow. He completed the doctorate programme in August, 1989. During the doctorate research programme, Professor Nkum discovered and reported for the first time the observation of ferroelectricity in cadmium-zinc-telluride ternary system. Between November 1, 1990 and October 30, 1992, Professor Nkum worked with the Condensed Matter Physics group of the Department of Physics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, as a Postdoctoral Fellow. During that period, Professor Nkum investigated different properties of high temperature superconductors graphite fibres. Professor Robert Kwame Nkum was appointed Assistant Lecturer in Physics in 1983. He became a Lecturer in 1984 and was promoted to the post of Senior Lecturer in 1993. In 1998, he was promoted Associate Professor and became a Full Professor in 2003. Professor Robert Kwame Nkum has served the International and Local communities in a number of capacities.  He has refereed a number of articles for publication in journals such as the Journal of the Ghana Science Association, the Ghana Journal of Science, the Journal of Science and Technology, Journal of Applied Science and Technology, Canadian Journal of Physics, Journal of Materials Science, Materials Chemistry and Physics, etc. He has also assessed a number of MSc/MPhil and PhD theses for various Universities. At the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Professor Nkum served as the Deputy Vice-Dean and Vice-Dean of the then Faculty of Science (now College of Science), Vice-Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and Head of the Department of Computer Science. He was a member of the Executive of the University, a member of the Academic Board and the Foundation Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences. He was the Second Provost of the College of Science. He served as the Representative of the University on the West African Examination Council on the Ghana National Committee, Ghana Examinations Committee, and the International Examinations Committee. Professor Nkum, during his Sabbatical Leave, served as the Rector of the then Cape Coast Polytechnic (now Cape Coast Technical University) from 2007 to 2010. He was a member of the National Accreditation Board while at Cape Coast.Professor Robert Kwame Nkum is a member of the Ghana Institute of Physics, a member of the Ghana Science Association, a member of Materials Society of Ghana, a member of West Africa Materials Society, a Chattered Physicist and a Member of the Institute of Physics (UK). He is also a Senior Associate of the Abdus Salam International Centre of Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy.   Professor Robert Kwame Nkum has been invoved in research in the following areas: Dielectric and ferroelectric properties of materials, Superconducting and normal state properties of bismuth-based systems, Transport properties of amorphous and crystalline semiconductors, and Magnetic properties of materials. His publications are found in International Journals including Physical Review Letters, the Physical Review, Physica C, Solid State Communications, Thin Solid Films, Acta Materiala, Materials Chamistry and Physics, Superconductor Sciene and Technology, Journal of Materials Science, Materials Engineering B, Journal of Applied Physics, Discovery and Innovation, etc.

Research Summary

(inferred from publications by AI)

The researcher has conducted extensive work across diverse areas of physical sciences, focusing on novel materials and technologies. Key themes include the development of photocatalysts such as cobalt-doped ZnO-g-C3N4 heterostructures for photocyclotron degradation of eosin yellow dye in water, as well as advancements in quantum dots synthesis and properties. The study also explores multiferroic materials, including ferroelectricity in zinc cadmium telluride, and the optical and structural behaviors of semiconducting sulfides and selenides. Research into superconductivity is extensive, involving Sn-doped systems and magnetic effects. The researcher investigates X-ray diffraction studies, particularly in α-Mn films, as well as the anomalous resistivity at low temperatures in Mn thin films. Nanomaterials such as CdSe and PbS thin films are studied for their optical and electronic properties. Magnetic transitions in Ni-Mn alloys are explored, along with their applications. The researcher examines the anomalous resistivity of α-Mn films and magnetoresistance in Cd-based systems. Insights into solid-state spectroscopy include studies on α-Mn thin films and electro-optical properties of polyaniline nanoparticles. Advanced battery technologies are addressed by optimizing material recovery in galvanized steel oxidation. Finally, the researcher explores phase-change materials like zeolites and their catalytic roles in battery systems.

Research Themes

All Papers

The effect of cobalt-doped ZnO-g-C3N4 heterostructures on photocatalytic degradation of eosin yellow dye in water under simulated solar light(2023)
Gadolinium doped-zirconium oxide-graphitic carbon nitride heterostructures for photocatalytic degradation of eosin yellow dye in water(2024)
Gd-doped ZnO-g-C3N4 nanocomposite: a novel photocatalyst for the photodegradation of eosin yellow dye in water(2025)
The influence of cobalt and graphitic carbon nitride on the efficiency of zirconium oxide for photodegradation of an organic dye in wastewater(2025)
The effect of deposition time on the structural, morphological and optical band gap of lead selenide thin films synthesized by chemical bath deposition method(2015)
Synthesis and Characterization of CdSe Nanocrystalline Thin Film by Chemical Bath Deposition Technique(2015)
Preparation of cadmium zinc sulfide (Cd1−xZnxS) thin films from acidic chemical baths(2018)
Ternary cadmium zinc sulphide films with high charge mobilities(2014)
Ferroelectricity in zinc cadmium telluride(1989)
Band gap energies of semiconducting sulphides and selenides(1998)
Band gap engineering in lead sulphur selenide (PbS1−x Se x ) thin films synthesized by chemical bath deposition method(2016)
Determining the majority charge carrier, optical and structural properties of electrochemically deposited lead tin sulfide (PbSnS) thin films(2023)
Copper-tin-sulphide (CTS) thin films, obtained by a two-electrode electrochemical deposition of metal precursors, followed by soft annealing and sulfurization(2021)
EFFECT OF ANNEALING ON THE STRUCTURE AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF LEAD SELENIDE AND CADMIUM SELENIDE THIN FILM PREPARED BY CHEMICAL BATH DEPOSITION(2021)
A New Route for the Synthesis of CdS Thin Films from Acidic Chemical Baths(2017)
Optical and Structural Properties of Chemical Bath Deposited Cadmium Sulphur Selenide (CdS1–xSex (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)) Thin Films(2019)
The CZTS Thin Films Grown by Sulfurization of Electrodeposited Metallic Precursors: The Effect of Increasing Tin Content of the Metallic Precursors on the Structure, Morphology and Optical Properties of the Thin Films(2023)
The effect of the concentration of tin (Sn) in the metallic precursor, on the structure, morphology, optical and electrical properties of electrochemically deposited lead-tin-sulphide (PbSnS) thin films(2023)
Synthesis and characterization of Cd1-xPbxSe (0≤x≤1) thin films deposited by chemical bath for photovoltaic application(2025)
Weak link in ceramic In-doped Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O(1995)
Normal-state dielectric and transport properties of In-doped Bi–Pb–Sr–Ca–Cu–O(2002)
Indium doping in the Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconducting system(1992)
Substitution of Sn in the superconducting BiPbSrCaCuO system(1992)
Intergrain and intragrain superconductivity in Sn- and Sb-doped Bi1.7Pb0.3Sr2Cu3Oy(1993)
Fluctuation-enhanced conductivity in the Sb-doped Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconducting system(1991)
Superconductivity in (Bi,Pb)2Ca2Sr2Cu3−xVxOy(1998)
Substitution of 3d metals for Cu in (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy(1992)
Superconducting and semiconducting properties of the<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">Bi</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">Sr</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">Ca</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>1</mml:mn><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">−</mml:mi><mml:mi mathvariant="italic">x</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">Ga</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="italic">x</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">Cu</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">O</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="italic">y</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:math>system(1992)
Fluctuation induced conductivity in the Sn-doped (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy superconducting system(1992)
Superconductivity in a Ge-doped Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system(1992)
The effect of gallium substitution on the superconductivity of the BiSrCaCuO system(1991)
Superconducting and normal-state properties of Bi<sub>2</sub>Sr<sub>2</sub>CaCu<sub>2-x</sub>Ge<sub>x</sub>O<sub>y</sub>(1993)
Probing of high <i>T</i> <i>c</i> sample texturing with a potentiometric ring(1992)
Effect of magnetic field on the resistive transition in the Sb-doped Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconducting system(1994)
The Effect of Deposition Time and Sulfurization Temperature on The Optical and Structural Properties of Iron Sulfide Thin Films Deposited from Acidic Chemical Baths(2020)
Growth of a Pure and Single Phase Iron Sulfide (Pyrite) Thin Film by Electrochemical Deposition for Photovoltaic Applications(2019)
Indirect phase transition of refractory nitrides compounds of: TiN, ZrN and HfN crystal structures(2017)
Solubility of Mn in ZnO Crystallites Synthesized Using Solid State Techniques(2020)
Solubility of Mn in ZnO Nanocrystallites using Wet Chemical Synthesis(2019)
Synthesis of Pure and Manganese Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles by a Solution Growth Technique: Structural and Optical Investigation(2023)
X-ray diffraction evidence for a ferroelectric phase transition in zinc cadmium telluride(1991)
EFFECT OF COD ON OCV, POWER PRODUCTION AND COULOMBIC EFFICIENCY OF SINGLE-CHAMBERED MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS(2013)
A Review of Conductivity of Conductive Polymers; Polyaniline (Pani) and its Nanocomposites(2024)
ptical Behavior of PANI/Sno2 Nanocomposites(2017)
SYNTHESIS AND STUDY OF ATR SPECTRA OF POLYANILINE/GRA NANOCOMPOSITES (2019)
Synthesis and Study of ATR Spectra of Polyaniline/GRA Nanocomposites(2019)
Synthesis and Study of Electro-Optical Properties of Water-Soluble Polyaniline Prepared by Chemical Oxidation(2024)
Intercalation of<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">AsF</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>5</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:math>in<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">C</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>60</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:math>(1994)
Reaction of C60 with SbCl5(1993)
The anomalous low temperature resistivity of thermally evaporated α-Mn thin film(2010)
Magnetoresistance and spin fluctuation resistivity of α-Mn thin films and their relationship to substrate temperatures(2000)
Ferromagnetic Transitions in Ni-Mn Alloys(2000)
Stabilizing the ferroelectric phase of KNO3 thin films using substrate electrodes(2012)
Influence of ferroelectricity on the electrical properties of Cd1 − xZnxTe solid solutions(1996)
The anomalous low temperature resistivity and critical scattering of conduction electrons around the NÉEL point of α-Mn films containing dilute concentration of Ni(2001)
Antiferromagnetic Transition in a-Mn-Fe System(2000)
Erratum: Ferroelectricity in zinc cadmium telluride [Phys. Rev. Lett. 62, 2744 (1989)](1990)
Resistivity anomaly in potassium nitrite(1997)
Phase transition in K(NO3)1−x(ClO3)x bulk samples and thick films(2005)
X-Ray diffraction studies of Cd0.9ZN0.1Te at room temperature(2001)
X-ray Diffraction of Cd0.9Zn0.1Te at Room Temperature(1997)
Effect of surface layer on the dielectric constant and resistivity of cadmium zinc telluride(1992)
Effect of Inhomogeneity on the Transition to Zero Resistivity of Sn-doped Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O(1996)
The Characterization of Fly Ash during High Temperature Oxidation of Galvanized Steel(2019)
Conduction Mechanism in Amorphous As2S3(2012)
Optimising Material Recovery and Lifecycle Management of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries: AI-Based Separator, Repurposing, and Safe Discharge Solutions(2025)
A New Approach of Obtaining Sodium Metasilicate from Dealuminated Kaolin for The Synthesis of Amorphous Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles(2025)

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About This Profile

This profile is generated from publicly available publication metadata and is intended for research discovery purposes. Themes, summaries, and trajectories are inferred computationally and may not capture the full scope of the lecturer's work. For authoritative information, please refer to the official KNUST profile.