Muthuraj Arunpandian | Catalysis | Excellence in Research Award

Posted on 24/05/202524/05/2025 by sciencefather

Dr. Muthuraj Arunpandian | Catalysis | Excellence in Research Award

Yeungnam University, India

Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Muthuraj Arunpandian began his academic journey in Tamil Nadu, India, earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Madurai Kamaraj University. He further pursued doctoral studies at Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, where he specialized in nanomaterials and catalysis. His academic training laid the foundation for his focused research in photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, aiming at environmental and energy-related solutions.

Professional Endeavors

Since 2023, Dr. Arunpandian has been serving as an International Research Professor at the School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, South Korea. In this role, he leads cutting-edge research in the field of catalysis, collaborating internationally to address challenges in sustainable energy and environmental remediation. His work bridges material science and chemical engineering, emphasizing interdisciplinary solutions.

Research Contributions and Focus

Dr. Arunpandian’s research is primarily focused on two interconnected areas: photocatalysis and electrocatalysis.

In photocatalysis, his group develops visible-light-driven semiconductor nanostructures for environmental cleanup and solar hydrogen production. Their innovations in doping strategies, heterojunction design, and surface modifications have dramatically enhanced charge carrier separation, light absorption, and overall catalytic efficiency.
In electrocatalysis, he pioneers low-cost, high-efficiency electrocatalysts for water splitting. His work on transition metal-based materials and single-atom catalysts has produced systems with low overpotentials, high current densities, and outstanding durability, offering scalable paths toward clean hydrogen production.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Arunpandian has published over 75 research and review articles in reputed national and international journals, garnering more than 1,200 citations to date. In addition to these publications, he has contributed 2 book chapters, underlining his scholarly productivity and domain authority. His research is widely cited in areas related to green chemistry, renewable energy, and environmental remediation, reflecting its global significance.

Technical Skills and Innovations

His core technical competencies include:

Nanomaterial synthesis (e.g., doped semiconductors, metal-based nanostructures)
Photocatalytic degradation systems for pollutant removal
HER/OER performance optimization through material design
Surface/interface engineering, heterojunction fabrication, and bandgap tuning
These skills allow him to engineer materials that are both high-performing and scalable for real-world energy and environmental applications.

Teaching and Mentorship

As an International Research Professor, Dr. Arunpandian actively contributes to academic mentoring and international research training, guiding graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials. His cross-cultural mentorship fosters innovation and scientific communication at a global scale.

Legacy and Future Directions

Dr. Arunpandian’s research contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in clean energy and environmental sustainability. His future endeavors will likely focus on integrating AI-based catalyst design, scalable synthesis methods, and industry partnerships for real-world deployment. His vision is to accelerate the transition to clean hydrogen economies and pollutant-free ecosystems, leaving a lasting scientific and societal impact.

Notable Publications

A rational design of novel Z-scheme N-rich g-C₃N₅ supported Ag₂WO₄/BiVO₄ ternary heterojunction for remarkably enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of acebutolol antibiotic: Performance, mechanism insight and fragments pathway analysis
Authors: Muthuraj Arunpandian, Tae Hwan Oh, Karuppaiah Selvakumar
Journal: Journal of Alloys and Compounds
Year: 2025

Exceptional Visible-Light-Driven Photodegradation Performance Over N-Rich g-C₃N₅ Decorated Flower-like SrMoO₄ Nanohybrids: Analysis of Mechanism, Efficacy and Degradation Pathway
Authors: Muralidharan S., Arunpandian M., Nagarajan E. R., Oh Tae Hwan, Selvakumar K.
Journal: Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials
Year: 2025

Fabrication of dopamine/TiO₂ nanocomposite hydrogel using fenugreek gum for efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants under visible light irradiation
Authors: Nagaraja Kasula, Arunpandian Muthuraj, Oh Tae Hwan
Journal: Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
Year: 2025

Green synthesis of Zinc Sulfide doped Ag-Zn₃(PO₄)₂ nanocomposite using bael gum: Enhanced visible-light driven photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin and trypan blue with potential antimicrobial and assessment
Authors: Nagaraja Kasula, Boya Mallika, Arunpandian Muthuraj, Oh Tae Hwan
Journal: Inorganic Chemistry Communications
Year: 2025

Nitrogen-Doped Hollow Carbon Spheres-Decorated Co₂SnO₄/WS₂ Heterostructures with Improved Visible-Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dye
Authors: Muthuraj Arunpandian, Tae Hwan Oh
Journal: Molecules
Year: 2025

A facile green synthesis of manganese oxide nanoparticles using gum karaya polymer as a bioreductant for efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and antibacterial activity
Authors: Nagaraja Kasula, Muthuraj Arunpandian, Oh Tae Hwan
Journal: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Year: 2024

Nini Wen | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award

Posted on 08/04/202508/04/2025 by sciencefather

Dr. Nini Wen | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award

Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, China

Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Nini Wen began her academic journey with a strong foundation in chemical engineering and materials science, culminating in the award of her Ph.D. in 2023. Shortly thereafter, she joined Zhejiang Sci-Tech University as a lecturer, where she continues to advance research at the intersection of environmental catalysis and materials chemistry.

Professional Endeavors

Since her appointment, Dr. Wen has dedicated her academic career to the study and development of Selective Catalytic Reduction-Hydrocarbon (SCR-HC) catalysts, particularly focusing on novel catalytic systems like metal oxides, pillared interlayered clays (PILC), layered double hydroxides (LDHs), and atomic clusters. Her methodical approach integrates catalyst design with advanced characterization techniques to uncover fundamental catalytic properties and reaction mechanisms. She has completed one foundational research project and currently leads two additional national-level foundation projects, underscoring her growing research independence and leadership.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Wen’s cutting-edge research lies in environmental pollution control and catalytic materials, particularly LDH-based catalysts for SCR-HC reactions. LDHs, known as emerging 2D layered materials, have seldom been utilized in this field. Her innovative work includes designing binary and ternary LDH catalysts, which leverage the synergistic effects of multi-metal components to enhance catalytic activity. She has thoroughly explored the impact of synergy on both the intrinsic physicochemical properties and catalytic mechanisms. Furthermore, her studies address real-world challenges by investigating how poisoning species such as H₂O, SO₂, and alkali metals influence catalyst performance and structural stability, making her contributions highly relevant for industrial applications.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Wen has made a significant mark in the catalysis community with over 20 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals including the Chemical Engineering Journal, Fuel, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, and Molecular Catalysis. Her work continues to inspire new approaches in designing resilient and efficient environmental catalysts, positioning her as a promising young scholar in the field of applied catalysis.

Academic Citations

Although early in her independent career, Dr. Wen’s publications are gaining recognition in the academic world, with citations steadily increasing. Her focus on mechanistic insight and application-driven research makes her work valuable for both academic studies and industrial implementations in pollution mitigation technologies.

Technical Skills

Dr. Wen possesses a broad suite of experimental and analytical techniques essential to modern catalysis research. These include X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), temperature-programmed desorption/reduction (TPD/TPR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), among others. These tools support her rigorous examination of structure-performance relationships in catalytic systems.

Teaching and Mentorship

As a lecturer, Dr. Wen is actively involved in undergraduate and graduate instruction. She integrates her research findings into the classroom to foster scientific curiosity and train students in environmental engineering and materials chemistry, laying the groundwork for future researchers.

Professional Memberships

Dr. Wen is a member of the Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, through which she engages in professional development and collaborative opportunities, staying current with trends in catalysis and environmental remediation technologies.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Wen’s pioneering work in LDH-based SCR-HC catalysis and pollution control positions her at the forefront of sustainable environmental technologies. Her future plans include exploring atomically dispersed catalysts, enhancing low-temperature catalytic activity, and developing next-generation catalyst systems with improved tolerance to industrial poisons. Her work is expected to play a vital role in the global effort to reduce industrial emissions and transition toward greener technologies.

Notable Publications

Preparation and de-NOₓ performance of C₃H₆-SCR over Cu-SAPO-44 catalyst
Authors: Zhou, H.; Zhang, H.; Wen, N.; Wang, X.; Xu, L.; Li, W.; Su, Y.
Journal: Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress
Year: 2023

Research on resistance of CuxNiyFez-LDHs derived catalysts to poisoning components and insight into the complex role of SO₂ on C₃H₆-SCR performance
Authors: Wen, N.; Zhou, H.; Ning, S.; Hu, M.; Deng, W.; Zhao, B.; Su, Y.
Journal: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
Year: 2023

Research progress on supported Cu-based zeolite catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NOₓ with hydrocarbons
Authors: Ning, S.; Su, Y.; Yang, H.; Wen, N.
Journal: Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress
Year: 2023

Selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide with propylene over one-step synthesized Cu-SAPO-44 catalysts
Authors: Zhang, H.; Zhou, H.; Wen, N.-N.; Wang, X.-R.; Xu, L.; Su, Y.-X.
Journal: Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology
Year: 2022

Study on CH₄-SCR performance by Ga-Fe catalysts supported on Ti-pillared interlayered clays (Ti-PILC)
Authors: Xu, G.-Q.; Su, Y.-X.; Wen, N.-N.; Zhang, H.; Liu, Q.; Deng, W.-Y.; Zhou, H.
Journal: Journal of Molecular Catalysis
Year: 2022

Synergy of CuNiFe-LDH based catalysts for enhancing low-temperature SCR-C₃H₆ performance: Surface properties and reaction mechanism
Authors: Wen, N.; Su, Y.; Deng, W.; Zhou, H.; Hu, M.; Zhao, B.
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal
Year: 2022

Tao Yang | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Posted on 15/02/202515/02/2025 by sciencefather

Prof. Tao Yang | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

University of Science and Technology Beijing, China

Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Tao Yang embarked on his academic journey at the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), where he pursued a doctoral degree at the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy from 2012 to 2018. His early research laid a strong foundation in materials science and electrochemistry, setting the stage for his future contributions to sustainable energy and carbon neutrality.

Professional Endeavors

After completing his doctorate, Prof. Yang continued at USTB as a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Materials Science and Engineering (2018-2021). During this period, he expanded his expertise in electrocatalysis and nanogenerator technologies. He then advanced to an associate professor role at the Collaborative Innovation Center of Steel Technology (2018-2021), further enhancing his research impact. Since July 2021, he has served as a full professor at the Institute of Carbon Neutrality at USTB, leading groundbreaking research initiatives in sustainable energy solutions.

Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Yang's research spans multiple critical areas in electrochemistry and energy science, including:

Electrocatalysis & Hydrogen Production: Developing advanced materials for water splitting to generate hydrogen efficiently.

Carbon Dioxide Reduction & Utilization: Innovating techniques to convert CO₂ into valuable chemical fuels, addressing climate change challenges.

Piezoelectricity & Nanogenerators: Exploring self-powered energy harvesting technologies for renewable energy applications.

Electromagnetic Wave Absorption: Investigating materials that mitigate electromagnetic interference, contributing to advanced communication and defense technologies.

Impact and Influence

With over 60 SCI/EI-indexed papers as the first or corresponding author, Prof. Yang has established himself as a prolific researcher. His work has amassed 3,500 citations on Google Scholar, achieving an h-index of 36. Notably, 8 of his papers have been featured as journal covers, and 7 have been recognized as ESI Highly Cited Papers , underscoring the significance of his research in the scientific community.

Academic Recognitions

Prof. Yang's remarkable contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including:

Postdoctoral Innovative Talent Support Program

Beijing Outstanding Talent – Young Backbone Individual

Inclusion in Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists (2022-2024) These prestigious honors highlight his sustained excellence and influence in the field of carbon neutrality and energy conversion.

Technical Skills

Prof. Yang possesses a deep expertise in advanced material characterization and electrochemical techniques, including: Electrocatalysis testing and analysis, Nanomaterial synthesis and modification, Advanced spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, Computational modeling for material behavior predictions His technical prowess enables him to push the boundaries of innovation in clean energy technologies.

Teaching and Mentorship

As a professor and doctoral supervisor at USTB, Prof. Yang plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of researchers. He actively mentors Ph.D. and master's students, guiding them in cutting-edge research on sustainable energy solutions. His commitment to academic excellence ensures that his students receive top-tier education and research training.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Prof. Yang aims to: Expand research on scalable hydrogen production technologies, Develop novel catalysts for efficient CO₂ conversion, Advance self-powered nanogenerator applications, Contribute to global efforts in achieving carbon neutrality His work continues to drive scientific innovation and practical solutions for a more sustainable future, making him a leading figure in electrochemical energy research.

Notable Publications

1. Gut dysbiosis is linked to hypertension
Authors: T Yang, MM Santisteban, V Rodriguez, E Li, N Ahmari, JM Carvajal, ...
Journal: Hypertension
Year: 2015

2. Multicomponent intermetallic nanoparticles and superb mechanical behaviors of complex alloys
Authors: T Yang, YL Zhao, Y Tong, ZB Jiao, J Wei, JX Cai, XD Han, D Chen, A Hu, ...
Journal: Science
Year: 2018

3. DSC: Scheduling parallel tasks on an unbounded number of processors
Authors: T Yang, A Gerasoulis
Journal: IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems
Year: 1994

4. Heterogeneous precipitation behavior and stacking-fault-mediated deformation in a CoCrNi-based medium-entropy alloy
Authors: YL Zhao, T Yang, Y Tong, J Wang, JH Luan, ZB Jiao, D Chen, Y Yang, ...
Journal: Acta Materialia
Year: 2017

5. A comparison of clustering heuristics for scheduling directed acyclic graphs on multiprocessors
Authors: A Gerasoulis, T Yang
Journal: Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing
Year: 1992

6. The gut microbiota and the brain–gut–kidney axis in hypertension and chronic kidney disease
Authors: T Yang, EM Richards, CJ Pepine, MK Raizada
Journal: Nature Reviews Nephrology
Year: 2018

7. Hypertension-linked pathophysiological alterations in the gut
Authors: MM Santisteban, Y Qi, J Zubcevic, S Kim, T Yang, V Shenoy, ...
Journal: Circulation Research
Year: 2017

Zhongxin Song | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Posted on 06/02/202506/02/2025 by sciencefather

Dr. Zhongxin Song | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Shenzhen University, China

Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Zhongxin Song began her academic journey with a strong focus on Mechanical & Materials Engineering. She completed her Ph.D. in 2018 at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, where she honed her expertise in materials science. During her early academic years, Dr. Song developed a keen interest in nanomaterials, which would later form the core of her research in energy conversion and electrolysis.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Song is currently a Research Professor at Shenzhen University, China. Her professional trajectory has seen significant contributions to electrocatalysis and fuel cell technology. Along with her academic responsibilities, she has collaborated on several industry projects, including a notable one with Ballard Power Systems, Canada. These partnerships underscore her applied research in the energy sector.

Contributions and Research Focus

Zhongxin Song's research revolves around the design and synthesis of both noble metal and nonnoble metal-based nanomaterials. These materials play a critical role in electrocatalysis and fuel cells. Her work on atomic layer deposition (ALD) techniques and dual-metal-site catalysts has significantly advanced the field. Dr. Song's contributions have resulted in the publication of 53 high-impact research papers, two book chapters, and three Chinese patents.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Song's innovative research has made a considerable impact on the development of electrocatalysts and fuel cell technologies. With 3,355 citations to her name, her work is widely recognized within the scientific community. Her involvement in national and international projects, such as those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, reflects her global influence in the field.

Academic Cites

Dr. Song's work has been cited over 3,355 times in scientific literature, emphasizing the relevance and influence of her research in advancing sustainable energy technologies. This citation index places her among the leading researchers in her field, illustrating the growing recognition of her contributions.

Technical Skills

Dr. Song possesses strong technical expertise in the design and synthesis of nanomaterials for energy conversion and electrolysis. Her work involves advanced techniques like atomic layer deposition, electrochemical analysis, and material characterization. Her skills also extend to the development of catalysts and the application of novel materials in fuel cells and electrolysis systems.

Teaching Experience

As a research professor, Dr. Song has mentored students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. She is deeply involved in shaping the next generation of engineers and researchers. Her teaching approach integrates her cutting-edge research into classroom instruction, providing students with both theoretical knowledge and practical applications.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Song's ongoing research in nanomaterials for energy conversion continues to hold great promise for advancing clean energy technologies. With future projects focused on dual-metal-site catalysts for PEMFC anodes and electrocatalysis, her work is poised to have a lasting impact on fuel cell efficiency and longevity. She remains committed to both scientific innovation and mentorship, ensuring her legacy extends through future breakthroughs and the success of her students.