Dr. Muthuraj Arunpandian | Catalysis | Excellence in Research Award

Yeungnam University, India

Profiles

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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