2017: Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, King's College London - United Kingdom, London
2010: M.Sc. Analytical Chemistry, Hull University - United Kingdom, Hull
2008: B.Sc. General Chemistry, King Abdul Aziz University- Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My interests are centred around the use of chromatographic techniques as well as the applications of materials in the field of column fabrication, water treatment and energy storage
FUTURE PROJECTS
Fabrication of graphene material based as stationary phases
Applications Invited Collaboration
Synthesis of biosorbent for the removal of toxins in various matrixes
Applications Invited Collaboration
Development of porous graphene oxide-based electrochemical sensor for the detection of environmental pollutants
Applications Invited Collaboration
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Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
MnO2-Modified Carboxylated Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite for the Effective Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Environmental Water Samples Medhat A. Shaker, Wael H. Alshitari, Abeer H. Aljadaani, Faten M. Ali Zainy, Doaa S. Al-Raimi, et al. Nanomaterials, 2025 A manganese dioxide-modified carboxylated graphene oxide (MnO2@CGO) nanocomposite was fabricated and utilized as a solid nanosorbent for extracting six organochlorine pesticides from environmental water samples. The target compounds, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), β-Hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), Heptachlor, Aldrin, Dieldrin, and o,p-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (o,p-DDT), were determined by micro-solid phase extraction (µ-SPE) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selective ion monitoring mode. Key experimental factors influencing the extraction performance, such as sample pH, sorbent dosage, type and volume of eluting solvent, and time for desorption, were systematically optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the method showed good linearity (R2 = 0.998–1.000) within the concentration range of 0.1–5 ng L−1. The developed procedure was successfully applied to Nile River, agricultural wastewater, and groundwater samples, achieving recoveries between 87.1% and 101.2% with RSDs below 4.0%. The detection limits were 0.005–0.010 mg L−1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.0. Overall, the MnO2@CGO-based µ-SPE method offers a sensitive, reliable, and straightforward approach for monitoring trace levels of organochlorine pesticides in environmental waters.
Trace Aflatoxins Extraction in Pistachio, Maize and Rice Based on β-Cyclodextrin-Doped Cu-Carboxylated Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Amr A. Yakout, Wael H. Alshitari, Hassan M. Albishri, Faten M. Ali Zainy, Adel M. Alshutairi Toxins, 2025 Aflatoxins remain among the most challenging food contaminants to monitor due to their structural diversity, low abundance, and the chemical complexity of cereal- and nut-based matrices. In this study, a multifunctional Cu/β-cyclodextrin@carboxylated graphene oxide (Cu/β-CD@CGO) nanocomposite was synthesized through a green, two-step procedure and employed as a high-affinity nanosorbent for trace extraction of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2. The architecture integrates three complementary components: β-cyclodextrin for inclusion-driven molecular recognition, copper nanoparticles that establish coordination interactions with lactone-bearing aflatoxins, and CGO nanosheets that supply extensive π-rich surfaces and abundant carboxyl functionalities. Comprehensive characterization (FTIR, Raman, XPS, SEM, EDX-mapping, and HRTEM) confirmed the formation of a uniform, porous hybrid network. Under optimized d-SPE conditions, the nanocomposite enabled quantitative recovery (92.0–108.5%) of aflatoxins from pistachio, maize, and rice extracts while achieving sub-ng kg−1 detection limits and excellent reproducibility. The results demonstrate that the Cu/β-CD@CGO platform provides a robust, selective, and sustainable alternative to conventional immunoaffinity or polymeric sorbents, offering strong potential for routine surveillance of aflatoxins in complex food systems.
Synthesis of polypyrrole/cellulose nanocrystals disks for removal of pyocyanin metabolite biomarker released by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Waleed A. El-Said, Ziya A. Khan, Deia A. El-Hady, Wael Alshitari, Mostafa Kamal Masud, et al. Plos One, 2025 Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a high-risk pathogen associated with several human diseases. Pyocyanin (PYO), a redox-active secondary metabolite produced by P. aeruginosa, plays a critical role in its survival and pathogenicity, exhibiting both antibacterial and toxic properties. Recent studies have shown that reducing PYO production can inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa. Here, we report the extraction of cellulose nanocrystals from rice husk for the fabrication of cellulose nanocrystal/polypyrrole (PPy/cellulose) composite disks. This nanocomposite disk acts as a simple, highly efficient, and cost-effective adsorbent for removing PYO metabolites from contaminated water samples. The chemical and morphological features of the PPy/cellulose composites are investigated using various techniques. Solid-phase extraction is employed to remove PYO, with treatment conditions optimized for maximum efficiency. Both two-parameter and three-parameter models are used to analyze the equilibrium data for PYO removal. The optimal adsorbent dose is found to be 20 mg at 303 K for 35 minutes. The PPy/cellulose disk reaches maximum adsorption, removing over 93% of 10 ppm PYO. This approach presents a novel and effective strategy for mitigating the harmful effects of PYO, with potential applications in treating P. aeruginosa infections and recycling PYO for antimicrobial use.
Enzymeless Gabapentin Sensor Based on Prussian Blue-modified Indium Tin Oxide Electrodes for Sensing Gabapentin in Capsules Wael Alshitari, Waleed A. El-Said Current Analytical Chemistry, 2025 Background: In this study, we reported on developing a susceptible, accurate, simple, and economical electrochemical sensor for gabapentin determination in capsules. Methods: The ITO electrode was modified with a layer of Prussian blue nanoparticles and then used as the working electrode. Gabapentin was extracted from commercial capsules, and a series of concentrations of gabapentin were prepared for studying the efficacy of the proposed sensor. The electrochemical measurements were performed using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques. Results: The sensitivity and selectivity of the developed electrode toward gabapentin in different interferences, including citric acid, glucose, and urea, were investigated. The modified electrode showed detection and quantification limits of 31.58 and 94.74 nM, respectively, over a dynamic range of concentrations from 100 nM to 3 μM. Conclusion: The proposed sensor displayed a high sensitivity and selectivity for monitoring gabapentin in pharmaceutical drugs without a noticeable interference. Hence, the modified electrodes are great candidates for gabapentin routine analysis.
Poly-(2-aminothiophenol) Functionalized Petroleum Coke for Fast Simultaneous Sequestration of Cd(II) and Pb(II) Ions from Industrial Effluents Amr A. Yakout, Sultan G. Almalki, Wael H. Alshitari Current Analytical Chemistry, 2025 Background: Nowadays, the challenge between clean water production and promoting an eco-friendly sorbent for the simultaneous fast and efficient removal of heavy metal ions is a hot topic and has attracted much attention. Objective: The objective of this study was to fabricate a novel material (PATP@PET) by incorporating poly-(2-amino thiophenol; PATP) into the matrix of Saudi Arabian petroleum coke (PET) for simultaneous fast and efficient removal of heavy metal ions. objective: The fabrication of a novel material (PATP@PET) by incorporating poly-(2-amino thiophenol; PATP) into the matrix of Saudi Arabian petroleum coke (PET) for simultaneous fast and efficient removal of heavy metal ions Method: The FTIR, EDX, SEM, and XRD techniques assessed the chemical structure and surface morphology of the thio-functionalized petcoke. The effects of medium pH, mass dosage of sorbent, metal ion concentration, and coexisting ions were investigated and optimized using batch sorption. Result: The excellent sorption capacity of PATP@PET sorbent towards the divalent lead and cadmium ions (98.44% and 312.5 mg.g-1 for Pb(II) and 90.15% and 217.4 mg.g-1 for Cd(II)) was realized by strong complex formation with the sulfur atoms of green petcoke and the thiol groups of poly-2- aminothiophenol moieties. The adsorption equilibrium data was best fitted to the pseudo-secondorder kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The reusability performance was tested for 10 cycles, and the simultaneous removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from industrial effluents was accomplished in 30 minutes with 100% removal efficiency at pH 6-7. Conclusion: PTAP-PET also demonstrated amazing performance for Cd(II) and Pb(II) removal in industrial wastewater samples. Subsequently, PTAP-PET contributes to developing fast, efficient, low-cost water remediation solutions for heavy metal ions that can potentially be translated into industrial- scale applications.
Development of porous graphene oxide-based electrochemical sensor for monitoring of neurological drugs. PI in a project funded by University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Duration from August 2021 to August 2022. Grant no. UJ-21-DR-77.
• Development of selective and rapid colorimetric and spectroscopic biosensors for accurate detection of COVID-19. Co-PI in project funded by King Abdulaziz City For Science And Technology (KACST) , Saudi Arabia. Duration from June 2020 to March 2021. Grant no. 5-20-01-031-0009.
• Development of Some Novel Hierarchical Nanoporous Materials for construction low-cost and high-efficiency fuel cell devices as clean renewable energy sources. Co-PI in a project funded by University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Duration from Sept. 2020 to July 2021. Grant no. UJ-02-010-ICGR
• Developing advanced and high energy sodium ion battery for storing solar energy. Co-PI in a project funded by University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Duration from Sept. 2019 to July 2020. Grant no. UJ-07-18-ICP
