Research Interests

  • Electrochemical energy conversion
  • Water electrolysis (AEM, PEM & alkaline)
  • Catalyst design for HER/OER & overall water splitting
  • Thin-film synthesis & surface engineering
  • Ion beam diagnostics (RBS/NRA) for catalyst degradation
  • Nanomaterials for environmental and energy applications
  • Light-assisted catalysis(PEC) and semiconductor interfaces

Research Projects

Electrochemistry & Energy Materials

1. Hierarchical 2D CoMoS₂ Nanosheets on N, S-Doped Graphene Oxide for HER

  • Designed a hybrid 2D–2D catalyst architecture for enhanced HER kinetics.
  • Engineered doped-GO to improve conductivity and active site density.

2. Engineering Active Sites in Transition Metal Systems for Overall Water Splitting

  • Tuned electronic structure and coordination environment to promote bifunctional HER/OER activity.

3. Nickel-Loaded Activated Carbon Electrodes for Microbial Electrolysis Cells

  • Fabricated high-surface-area Ni–carbon electrodes for efficient hydrogen recovery.

4. PFAS Adsorption Using Functional Nanomaterials

  • Evaluated nanostructured sorbents for PFAS removal in surface and groundwater systems.

5. Ion Beam Analysis of MoNi₄–MoO₂ Catalyst Layer for AEM Electrolyzers

  • Conducted RBS/NRA depth profiling to quantify Ni/Mo oxidation, leaching, and structural degradation.
  • Developed correlation between ion beam data and electrochemical performance decay.

6. Light-Assisted Catalysis on patterned NiFe/DLC multifunctional protective films

  • Investigated light-assisted catalysis for improved HER/OER pathways under illumination.

Other Materials Science & Nanotechnology Projects

1. ZnO Nanoflower Thin Films via SILAR

  • Synthesized 3D ZnO nanostructures for optoelectronic applications.

2. Hydrothermal Synthesis of Orthorhombic MoO₃ Nanoparticles

  • Produced phase-pure MoO₃ for catalytic and sensing applications.

3. Metallurgical Processing for Flexible Electronics

  • Developed flattening and surface-smoothing protocols for metal foils in flexible devices.

4. Reliability Testing of RF MEMS Switches

  • Performed wire bonding, mechanical cycling, and failure analysis for MEMS components.

Technical Expertise

Materials Characterization

  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  • X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
  • X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
  • Raman Spectroscopy
  • Optical Profilometry
  • Mechanical Profilometry

Thin-Film & Nanofabrication

  • Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD)
  • Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)
  • E-beam evaporation
  • Reduction and coprecipitation synthesis
  • Hydrothermal synthesis
  • SILAR deposition
  • Metal nanoparticle deposition and surface modification

Electrochemical Instrumentation

  • Potentiostats: BioLogic, Gamry, Metrohm Autolab
  • HER/OER/AEMWE testing
  • EIS, Tafel, chronoamperometry, durability testing
  • Flow-cell and electrolyzer assembly

Electrode Depostion

  • Blade coating
  • Spray coating
  • Drop casting