Research Interests

• Design of functional frameworks (MOFs/COFs)

• Carbon capture from flue gas/biogas/direct air

• Non-cryogenic air separation

• Separation of N₂ and CH₄ from Coal Mine Methane (CMM) 

• Photocatalytic CO2RR and HER by using MOF/COF-based heterogeneous catalysts

1. Carbon capture from flue gas / biogas / direct air

The global pursuit of sustainable energy sources and the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions present critical challenges that demand innovative solutions. My research vision centers on addressing these challenges through the design, synthesis, and characterization of advanced porous materials, particularly Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), tailored for selective carbon capture from flue gas, biogas as well as from direct air. Through meticulous design, involving the careful selection of ligands and metals, I have successfully developed state-of-the-art porous materials (MOFs and COFs) for selective carbon capture, all aimed at addressing climate change challenges (Coord. Chem. Rev. 2024, 514, 215944; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, 147, 8377−8385; Singapore Patent Application No. 10202402004Q).

2. Non-cryogenic air separation

Non-cryogenic air separation using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offers an energy-efficient alternative to traditional cryogenic distillation for gas separation. MOFs, with their tunable pore structures and high selectivity, enable the adsorption-based separation of oxygen (O₂) from nitrogen (N₂) at ambient conditions. By leveraging size-exclusion effects, surface interactions, or pressure swing adsorption (PSA) techniques, MOFs can achieve high O₂ purity with lower energy consumption. This approach holds promise for decentralized and scalable oxygen production, benefiting applications in medical oxygen supply, industrial gas processing, and energy storage technologies. 

3. Separation of N₂ and CH₄ from Coal Mine Methane (CMM)

The separation of nitrogen (N₂) and methane (CH₄) from coal mine methane (CMM) using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) presents a highly efficient and sustainable approach for methane purification and utilization. MOFs, with their tunable pore structures and high adsorption selectivity, can effectively differentiate between CH₄ and N₂ based on molecular size, affinity, and diffusion properties. By employing pressure swing adsorption (PSA) or temperature swing adsorption (TSA) techniques, MOFs enable the selective capture of N₂, enriching CH₄ for energy applications. This method offers a low-energy alternative to conventional separation technologies, facilitating methane recovery while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  

4. Application of MOF/COF-based Materials for the fixation of CO2

By strategically designing functional porous materials, I effectively utilized CO2 under environmentally friendly conditions, specifically at room temperature and atmospheric pressure (Green Chem. 2021, 23, 5195-5204; Inorg. Chem. Front. 2019, 7, 72-81 [featured on the front cover of the issue]; Chem. Eur. J. 2020, 26, 17445-17454; Inorg. Chem. 2020, 59, 9765-9773; Inorg. Chem. Front. 2022, 9, 2583-2593; Crystal Growth & Design,  2022, 22, 598-607; Micropor. Mesopor. Mater. 2023, 351, 112494). Notably, I synthesized bifunctional MOFs and POFs for CO2 utilization without the need for a co-catalyst (Inorg. Chem. Front. 2023, 10, 2088–2099 [Hot article/Highlights from India]; Cryst. Growth Des. 2021, 21, 1233-1241; J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 2024, 12, 113777).

5. Carbon capture and utilization from direct air

Direct air capture (DAC) is crucial for achieving net-negative emissions, offsetting hard-to-abate sectors, and combating legacy CO₂ emissions, making it a key component in global climate change mitigation strategies. Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) from direct air involves the extraction of CO₂ directly from the atmosphere, addressing the dispersed and dilute nature of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly promising materials for carbon capture and utilization (CCU) from direct air due to their exceptional tunability, high surface area, and chemical functionality. MOFs can be designed with tailored pore structures and functionalities to selectively capture low-concentration CO₂ from the atmosphere. Their modular design allows for incorporating active sites that facilitate the catalytic conversion of captured CO₂ into valuable products such as fuels, chemicals, or polymers. Recent advances in stable, moisture-tolerant MOFs have further enhanced their efficiency under ambient air conditions, making them a cutting-edge solution for achieving sustainable and net-negative emissions through CCU (J. Mater. Chem. A 2021, 9, 23127-23139; ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2022, 14, 33285-33296).

6. Photocatalytic CO2RR and HER by using MOF/COF-based catalysts

Traditional porous materials often require high temperatures for CO2 conversion into value-added chemicals. In contrast, harnessing sunlight offers a sustainable alternative. Porous materials exhibit remarkable potential in catalysing key reactions vital to sustainable energy conversion. My research primary focus is the rational design and synthesis of MOFs and COFs with precisely engineered architectures, tunable compositions, and tailored functionalities to enhance their performance as photocatalysts for CO2 reduction and water splitting. In the domain of CO2 reduction, my approach involves the rational assembly of functional building units within porous frameworks to create efficient platforms for CO2 capture and conversion. Through judicious selection of metal nodes, organic linkers, and incorporation of co-catalysts, our aim is to develop novel photocatalytic systems capable of selectively converting CO2 into valuable chemical feedstocks or fuels under solar irradiation (ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2022, 14, 33285-33296; J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2023, 652, 480-489; Coord. Chem. Rev. 2024, 514, 215944).