Dr. Somen Mondal - Research

My research focuses on developing advanced functional materials and interfacial technologies for environmental remediation, nanoplastic removal, adsorption-based separation, and sustainable water treatment. My work integrates hydrogel engineering, nanomaterial synthesis, adsorption science, transport phenomena, and process engineering to create scalable, application-oriented solutions for environmental and industrial challenges.

Current research activities include multifunctional hydrogel adsorbents for nanoplastic removal, magnetically recoverable and stimuli-responsive polymeric systems, membrane-assisted separation, marine antifouling surface engineering, and multifunctional hydrophobic coatings for underwater energy and data-center applications.

Research Themes

• Functional Hydrogels and Smart Soft Materials

• Nanoplastic Removal and Water Purification Technologies

• Adsorption Science and Advanced Separation Processes

• Magnetically Recoverable and Stimuli-Responsive Materials

• Environmental Nanotechnology and Emerging Contaminants

• Marine Surface Engineering and Antifouling Coatings

• Transport Phenomena and Process Intensification

• Underwater Energy and Interfacial Engineering

GDVN-assisted fabrication and structural design of Fe₃O₄-loaded PNIPAM–NaCMC hydrogel beads.

Possible adsorption interactions between PS-NH₂ nanoplastics and magnetic IPN hydrogel beads.

Magnetic Recovery Demonstration

The video below demonstrates the rapid magnetic separation of Fe₃O₄-loaded hydrogel beads after nanoplastic adsorption, highlighting the practical recoverability of the adsorbent.

1-s2.0-S2214714426008688-mmc2.mp4

Supplementary Video (Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2026): Rapid magnetic recovery of Fe₃O₄-loaded PNIPAM–NaCMC hydrogel beads following nanoplastic adsorption using an external magnet, demonstrating practical adsorbent recovery and reuse.

Selected Research Highlights

Magnetically Recoverable Hydrogel Beads for Nanoplastic Removal

Development of Fe₃O₄-loaded PNIPAM–NaCMC interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel beads for efficient adsorption, magnetic recovery, and reuse of amine-functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics from contaminated water.

The hydrogel system demonstrated rapid adsorption, nearly complete nanoplastic removal (~99.9%), excellent reusability, and robust performance in saline and real-water matrices. By integrating hydrogel engineering, adsorption science, and magnetic separation, this work advances scalable technologies for sustainable nanoplastic remediation.

Related publication:

Journal of Water Process Engineering 89 (2026) 110310 (DOI)