Meet the Team

I am a postdoctoral researcher working in the area of heterogeneous catalysis and reaction engineering. My research interests include supported metal/alloy-based catalysts, CO2 conversion to fuels/chemicals, and H2 production, reaction kinetics, and modelling. 

My current work involves developing efficient Ni-based catalysts for low-temperature (<500°C) ammonia decomposition for hydrogen production, along with mechanistic and kinetic studies to elucidate the reaction mechanism. Before joining IIT Bombay, I completed my B.tech in Chemical Engineering from NIT Warangal in 2018 and obtained my PhD from IIT Kanpur in July 2024. 

I am Sarbesh Bhattacherjee, currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at IIT Bombay. My research focuses on plasma-assisted gas conversion, with particular emphasis on CO2 and methane conversion into value-added products, keeping industrial application and adoption in mind.

During my Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at IIT Bhubaneswar, I worked on the development and optimization of non-thermal plasma reactors, power supplies, and integrated systems aimed at real-world deployment. A key focus of my work was the treatment of diesel engine exhaust under practical operating conditions, along with plasma parameter optimization using electric field simulations.

My research interests include plasma-assisted gas conversion, syngas cleaning, and sustainable fuel generation.

Joint PhD candidate at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Monash University (2023-2027)   

I am a research enthusiast interested in interdisciplinary research. I have an integrated master’s degree in chemistry from Doon University, India. My master’s thesis was based on the synthesis and application of copper doped carbon dots as peroxidase mimicking nanozymes. I was previously associated with the material science and sensors application division at CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (2021) and Agilent Technologies (2022). My scientific interests include nanomaterials, catalysis and clean energy. Currently, I am working on the development of carbon containing nanostructures that can function as efficient photothermal catalysts for light driven CO2 hydrogenation. The main focus would be to investigate the structure-property relations and the effect of morphology on the catalytic activity.

I am Gaurav Maurya, a PhD student at IIT Bombay, where I joined in 2024. My research focuses on the dry reforming of methane (DRM) using core–shell catalysts, with the aim of developing highly stable and efficient catalysts for low-temperature (~600℃) DRM. 

I completed my B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from NIT Rourkela in 2020 and M.Tech in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 2023. 

I am a PhD researcher in heterogeneous catalysis and reaction engineering. My work centers on the rational design and synthesis of non-noble metal catalysts for ammonia decomposition as a pathway to carbon-free hydrogen production. I study thermal and photo-thermal NH₃-to-H₂ conversion at low temperatures, with a strong focus on how catalyst structure influences performance. My broader goal is to translate these mechanistic insights into scalable modular catalytic systems for sustainable hydrogen production.

I am Anjali Digambar Thakare, a second-year PhD student. My research focuses on the design and development of heterogeneous catalysts for sustainable energy applications, specifically the conversion of carbon dioxide via the reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction. My work primarily involves the synthesis of copper-based catalysts supported on various metal oxides. By engineering the metal-support interface, I aim to enhance catalytic stability in the carbon management process. My research investigates how light-induced thermal gradients influence catalytic activity and stability.

I am a scientifically curious mind with a strong foundation in chemistry, holding a Master’s degree from IIT Gandhinagar. My academic and research journey has been driven by a deep interest in catalysis and its role in enabling sustainable energy solutions.

Currently, I am working on the development of efficient catalysts for low-temperature photothermal ammonia decomposition. My research focuses on understanding structure–property relationships, particularly how catalyst composition and morphology influence activity, stability, and reaction mechanisms. I’m particularly interested in developing new catalytic approaches by bringing together ideas from different areas of chemistry and chemical engineering. I enjoy thinking across disciplines, and I hope to work on solutions that are not only scientifically sound but also flexible enough to meet evolving energy needs.

I am Khushi Krishna Veerothi, a Chemical Engineering PhD student at IIT Bombay, working at the intersection of heterogeneous catalysis, sustainable energy, and green chemistry. I completed my Master's in Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai. My doctoral research focuses on developing Single Atom and Cluster Catalysts for low-temperature ammonia cracking via thermal and photothermal catalysis. My broader goal is to engineer a modular ammonia cracker integrable with hybrid ammonia-hydrogen engines addressing hydrogen storage and transportation challenges while advancing the global hydrogen economy through carbon-free fuel solutions.