Dr. Nelson Etafo | Nanotechnology and Materials Science | Best Scholar Award
Researcher | Universidad Carolina | Mexico
Dr. Nelson Etafo is an active materials science and environmental technology researcher whose work spans photoluminescence, nanotechnology, catalysis, wastewater remediation, and sustainable materials engineering. With 238 Scopus citations, 24 indexed publications, and an h-index of 7, he has contributed significantly to the advancement of functional materials, luminescent phosphors, and electrocoagulation-based technologies. His research focuses strongly on lanthanide-doped phosphors, solid-state lighting, upconversion materials, and their applications in bioimaging, sensing, anti-counterfeiting, and light-emitting devices. He has developed and analyzed BaLaAlO₄, SrLaAlO₄, and Sr₂CeO₄-based phosphors, contributing new insights into blue, red, and NIR emissions, refractive-index-influenced catalysis, and photoluminescent mechanisms. His work includes advancements in combustion synthesis, upconversion efficiency improvement, and material optimization for LEDs and biomedical uses. Dr. Nelson Etafo is also recognized for extensive contributions to environmental remediation, particularly electrocoagulation technology for wastewater treatment, pollutant removal, and precious metal recovery. His collaborative studies address cyanide destruction, gold/silver recovery, contaminant sequestration, and emerging wastewater challenges. He has authored influential reviews on photocatalysis, touchscreen antimicrobial coatings, nanohybrids for biomedical use, and CO₂ utilization technologies-strengthening global discussions on sustainable and green engineering. Beyond journal publications, Dr. Nelson Etafo has contributed to book authorship and edited volumes, including Tailored Light Emitters for Biomedical Applications (Springer), along with chapters on drug delivery, biocatalytic waste conversion, and advanced materials for water treatment. His scientific contributions extend to participation in national and international conferences, collaborative projects with multidisciplinary teams, and membership in leading professional bodies such as ACS, RSC, and CSN. His research impact reflects a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and scientific advancement across material science and environmental engineering.
Featured Publications
1. Etafo, N. O., Bamidele, M. O., Bamisaye, A., & Alli, Y. A. (2024). Revolutionizing photocatalysis: Unveiling efficient alternatives to titanium (IV) oxide and zinc oxide for comprehensive environmental remediation. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 62, 105369.
2. Nkoh, J. N., Oderinde, O., Etafo, N. O., Kifle, G. A., Okeke, E. S., Ejeromedoghene, O., … Ogunlaja, O. O. (2023). Recent perspective of antibiotics remediation: A review of the principles, mechanisms, and chemistry controlling remediation from aqueous media. Science of the Total Environment, 881, 163469.
3. Nkoh, J. N., Shang, C., Okeke, E. S., Ejeromedoghene, O., Oderinde, O., Etafo, N. O., … Foka Meugang, E. (2024). Antibiotics soil-solution chemistry: A review of environmental behavior and uptake and transformation by plants. Journal of Environmental Management, 354, 120312.
4. Alli, Y. A., Bamisaye, A., Bamidele, M. O., Etafo, N. O., Chkirida, S., Lawal, A., … Nageim, H. A. (2024). Transforming waste to wealth: Harnessing carbon dioxide for sustainable solutions. Results in Surfaces and Interfaces, 17, 100321.
5. Etafo, N. O., Oliva, J., Garcia, C. R., Mtz-Enríquez, A. I., Ruiz, J. I., Avalos Belmonte, F., … Gómez-Solís, C. (2022). Enhancing the blue/NIR emission of novel BaLaAlO4:Yb3+ (x mol%), Tm3+ (0.5 mol%) upconversion phosphors with the Yb3+ concentration (x = 0.5 to 6). Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 137, 109192.