The development and utilization of carbon materials from renewable resources is a critical area of research and industrial interest, in line with global efforts towards sustainability, environmental protection, and the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. Carbon materials to play a crucial role in various applications due to the thermal conductivity, thermal stability, electrical conductivity, surface area and porosity.

My research fosuses on the synthesis of functionalized carbon materials from renewable resources such as cellulose, chitosan, and sugarcane bagasse by hydrothermal treatment followed by pyrolysis and direct functionalization.

Selected Publications: Fuel 2024, 358, 130347, New J. Chem. 2020, 44, 18714-18723, J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 2023, 11, 109737

The transformation of biomass into sustainable chemicals and fuels is a cornerstone of the burgeoning bioeconomy, offering a renewable pathway to diminish our reliance on fossil resources and mitigate carbon emissions. This research focuses on the catalytic conversion of critical biomass-derived intermediates, namely furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and levulinic acid, into a spectrum of value-added chemicals. By employing a suite of catalytic processes—including hydrogenation, oxidation, reductive amination, hydroxyalkylation/alkylation (HAA), alcoholysis, hydroformylation followed by HAA, and esterification—my aim to synthesize chemicals that can serve as building blocks for fuels, polymers, and various industrial solvents. Innovations in catalyst development are indeed pivotal in advancing biomass conversion technologies, leading to more efficient, selective, and sustainable processes for transforming biomass into value-added chemicals and fuels. 

Selected Publications: ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2024, 12 (4), 1632–1644, Fuel 2022, 321, 124008

The synthesis of fine chemicals through oxidation, hydrogenation, and hydroformylation represents a crucial aspect of industrial and synthetic chemistry, contributing significantly to the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, flavors, fragrances, and various high-value specialty chemicals. 

My research interest particularly lies on;

Selective oxidation of olefins to aldehydes and Esters

Hydrogenation of varous bio-molecules (furfural and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural)

hydroformylation of olefins to fuel additives

Selected Publications: Green Chem. 2023, 25, 2863-2871, Adv. Sustain. Syst. 2023, 2300157