Research Areas

Dr. Abdul Malek is a chemist working at the energy–water–environment nexus, with expertise spanning sustainable hydrogen production technologies, fluorescence sensing of toxic metal ions, and their removal/detoxification. His research focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of earth-abundant electrocatalysts (nanomaterials) and membrane-based electrochemical systems for environmentally relevant processes, including wastewater-to-hydrogen conversion, seawater electrolysis, and renewable-powered water electrolyzers. He has led and contributed to research on kilowatt-scale anion exchange membrane (AEM) and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, integrating process-level modeling, long-term performance analysis, and operation under realistic, dynamic conditions. His work is inherently interdisciplinary, bridging materials science, electrochemistry, environmental engineering, and energy systems.

1: Sustainable Hydrogen Production via Water Electrolysis (AEM & PEM)

Dr. Malek’s research advances water electrolysis as a practical, low-carbon route to hydrogen production under realistic operating conditions. His work spans anion exchange membrane (AEM) and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, with particular emphasis on durability, dynamic operation, and scalability. He has led studies demonstrating kilowatt-scale AEM electrolyzers capable of stable operation under fluctuating renewable power, supported by transient-promoter-strategy. His contributions integrate:

Catalyst design and characterization
Mechanistic understanding
Membrane–electrode assembly (MEA) fabrication
Devise level demonstration with system-level performance analysis, enabling direct coupling of electrolyzers with intermittent solar electricity.

Related publications:

Abdul Malek, Liang Wu, Yan Li, Chenyu Li, Yuhao Chen, Khalid Hazazi, Yanrong Xue, Xu Lu*, Transient-Promoter-Stabilized NiFe Oxyhydroxide Enables Durable kW-Scale Water Splitting under Fluctuating Power, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2025, e20825 https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202520825
Abdul Malek, Yanrong Xue, Xu Lu*, Dynamically restructuring NixCryO electrocatalyst for stable oxygen evolution reaction in real seawater, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2023, 62, e202309854. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202309854
Yanrong Xue, Jiwu Zhao, Liang Huang, Ying-Rui Lu, Abdul Malek, Ge Gao, Zhongbin Zhuang, Dingsheng Wang, Cafer T Yavuz, Xu Lu*, Stabilizing ruthenium dioxide with cation-anchored sulfate for durable oxygen evolution in proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzers, Nature Communications, 2023, 14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43977-7
Abdul Malek, Xu Lu*, Paul R. Shearing, Dan J.L. Brett, Guanjie He*, Strategic comparison of membrane-assisted and membrane-less water electrolyzers and their potential application in direct seawater splitting (DSS), Green Energy & Environment, 2023, 8, 989-1005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gee.2022.06.006

Anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolyzer

An anion exchange membrane (AEM) is a polymer electrolyte that selectively conducts hydroxide ions (OH⁻) while blocking electrons and separating the anode and cathode in an electrochemical device. The membrane contains fixed positively charged functional groups that electrostatically bind and transport anions through hydrated pathways. In AEM-based water electrolysis, hydroxide ions generated at the cathode migrate through the membrane to the anode, where oxygen evolution occurs, while hydrogen is produced at the cathode. This alkaline ion-conduction environment enables the use of earth-abundant, non-noble-metal catalysts and less corrosive hardware compared to acidic systems. The performance and durability of AEMs are governed by ionic conductivity, water management, chemical stability, and resistance to degradation under alkaline and dynamic operating conditions.

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzer

A proton exchange membrane (PEM) is a solid polymer electrolyte that selectively conducts protons (H⁺) while preventing gas crossover and electrically separating the anode and cathode. The membrane contains fixed negatively charged functional groups that facilitate proton transport through hydrated channels. In PEM water electrolysis, protons generated at the anode migrate through the membrane to the cathode, where hydrogen is produced, while oxygen evolves at the anode. The acidic environment enables high current density and fast kinetics but requires noble-metal catalysts and corrosion-resistant components. The performance and lifetime of PEM systems depend on membrane conductivity, hydration, mechanical integrity, and resistance to chemical and electrochemical degradation.

Lab-scale MEA

kW-scale stack

Sacrificial leaching strategy to protect the active catalyst

Leaching-induced porosity enhances electrolyte access. This results in higher local.

Operando attenuated total reflectance surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS) analysis of Ni3Fe1.2Cr0.8Ox during OER. First figure shows the evolution of the *OOH intermediate peak at ∼1240 cm−1 with increasing applied potentials (1.4–2.0 V versus RHE) confirming the adsorbate evolution mechanism without the lattice oxygen involvement. Second figure shows the shift of the broad interfacial H2O* peak (∼3620 cm−1) towards the interfacial *OH peak (∼3380 cm−1) with increasing applied potentials. This represents better electrolyte penetration and elevated local pH. c) Schematic representation of surface Cr leaching and catalyst surface reconstruction during OER, leading to increased porosity and deeper electrolyte penetration.

2: Fluorescence sensing of toxic metal ions, and their removal/detoxification

Dr. Malek’s research in fluorescent sensing focuses on the selective detection and detoxification of toxic heavy metal ions, including Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cu²⁺, in aqueous environments. He develops reaction-based and coordination-driven fluorescent probes that produce clear optical responses upon metal binding, enabling sensitive and real-time monitoring of contaminants in water and biologically relevant systems.

Beyond detection, his work integrates sensing with remediation, designing platforms in which metal recognition is directly coupled to sequestration, immobilization, or chemical detoxification of the target ions. These systems enable simultaneous visualization and removal of pollutants, transforming fluorescent sensing from a purely analytical tool into an active remediation strategys.

Related publications:

Abdul Malek, Kallol Bera, Shrutidhara Biswas, Govindaraj Perumal, Anand Kant Das, Mukesh Doble, Tiju Thomas* and Edamana Prasad*, Development of a Next-Generation Fluorescent Turn- On Sensor to Simultaneously Detect and Detoxify Mercury in Living Samples, Analytical Chemistry, 2019, 91 (5), 3533–3538. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.8b05268
Abdul Malek, Tiju Thomas*, Edamana Prasad*, Visual and optical sensing of Hg2+, Cd2+, Cu2+ and Pb2+ in water and its beneficiation via gettering in the nano-amalgam form, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2016, 4, 3497-3503. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.6b00543

Design of small organic fluorescent sensor

Fluorescence sensing response, selectivity, and fluorescence confocal imaging in live cell

3: On-Demand Hydrogen Generation from Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Media: Reactor and Reaction Design

Dr. Malek’s research on on-demand hydrogen generation focuses on solid-state hydrogen storage media that enable safe, controllable, and portable hydrogen release without the need for high-pressure gas handling. His patented work investigates water-triggered and chemically activated hydrogen generation pathways using metal-based storage systems, with particular emphasis on reaction kinetics, safety, and material regeneration.

A central aspect of this research is reactor and reaction design, where material chemistry is integrated with engineered systems to achieve controlled hydrogen release rates. By tailoring surface chemistry, particle morphology, and reaction environments, his work enables passivation-free hydrogen generation with predictable output suitable for decentralized and off-grid applications. Reactor architectures are designed to manage heat, mass transport, and by-product handling, ensuring stable and efficient operation.

This research bridges fundamental reaction mechanisms with practical device implementation, advancing solid-state hydrogen technologies toward deployable systems for distributed energy, emergency power, and environmental applications. The approach emphasizes simplicity, robustness, and compatibility with water-based processes, aligning hydrogen generation with broader water–energy sustainability goals.

Related publications:

Abdul Malek, Tiju Thomas, Edamana Prasad, “Hydrogen generation from wastewater via galvanic corrosion of in-situ formed aluminium amalgam”, Indian Patent Office, Patent No: 388314, Application No. 201641027502. (Status: Granted).
Abdul Malek, Tiju Thomas, “Method and apparatus design for hydrogen production from seawater using a green route”, Indian Patent Office, Patent No: 387060, Application No. 201941032341. (Status: Granted).
Abdul Malek, Edamana Prasad*, Aryasomayajula Subrahmanyam, Tiju Thomas*, Chimie douce hydrogen production from Hg contaminated water, with desirable throughput, and simultaneous Hg-removal, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42 (24), 15724-15730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.05.082
Abdul Malek, Tiju Thomas*, Edamana Prasad*, Evidence of Nano-galvanic Couple Formation on in-situ Formed Nano-aluminum amalgam Surfaces for Passivation-bypassed Water Splitting, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2018, 43, 10878-10886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.04.204

4: Wastewater Valorization: A Circular Economy Approach

Dr. Malek’s research advances wastewater valorization through a circular-economy framework in which waste streams are transformed into valuable resources. His work focuses on chemical redox–driven pathways that simultaneously enable pollutant removal and hydrogen generation, repositioning wastewater as an active feedstock rather than a disposal burden.

Using reactive metal-based materials, his studies demonstrate how toxic metal ions can be chemically sequestered while driving hydrogen evolution under mild conditions, eliminating the need for external electrical input. This approach has been extended to complex real-world wastewaters, including metal-contaminated streams and nutrient-rich effluents such as human and animal urine, highlighting the feasibility of decentralized, low-infrastructure hydrogen production coupled with sanitation and remediation.

By integrating contaminant removal, energy recovery, and material reuse, this research embodies circular-economy principles and provides scalable pathways for sustainable water management and resource recovery. It complements electrochemical hydrogen technologies by offering alternative routes suited to off-grid, resource-limited, and environmentally sensitive applications.

Related publications:

Abdul Malek, Edamana Prasad*, Tiju Thomas*, Synthesis of Stable Al(0) Nanoparticles in Water in the form of Al(0)@Cu and Sequestration of Cu2+(aq.) with Simultaneous H2 Production, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 2019, 7, 12, 10332-10339. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b00340
Abdul Malek, Anusha Ganta, Divya Priya G, Indumathi Manivannan Nambi*, Tiju Thomas*, Hydrogen production from human and cow urine using in situ synthesized aluminium nanoparticles, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2021, 46 (54), 27319-27329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.06.024
Abdul Malek, Edamana Prasad*, Aryasomayajula Subrahmanyam, Tiju Thomas*, Chimie douce hydrogen production from Hg contaminated water, with desirable throughput, and simultaneous Hg-removal, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42 (24), 15724-15730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.05.082

Urine pretreatment and valorization via hydrogen production

Copper removal from contaminated water and simultaneous hydrogen production

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