Dr. Ugrabadi Sahoo | Materials Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Madanapalle Institute of Technology and Science, India

Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Ugrabadi Sahoo’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (Hons.), Physics, and Math from Baba Bhairabananda Autonomous College, Odisha, where he graduated with distinction in 2014. His passion for research blossomed during his Master’s in Chemistry at Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Odisha, where he conducted a thesis on the role of expanded graphite in enhancing bitumen strength for road construction. Furthering his academic ambitions, he pursued a Ph.D. in Material Chemistry at the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, under the guidance of Prof. Garudadhwaj Hota. His thesis explored the synthesis of iron-based Metal-Organic Frameworks (Fe-MOFs) for groundbreaking photocatalytic applications addressing energy and environmental challenges.

Professional Endeavors

Since 2024, Dr. Sahoo has been serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Madanapalle Institute of Technology & Science (MITS), Andhra Pradesh. Here, he contributes to academic excellence through teaching, research mentorship, and laboratory management. Dr. Sahoo has mentored five postgraduate students, who are now pursuing their Ph.D. at esteemed institutions. His professional experiences also include developing innovative experimental frameworks and organizing practical sessions for UG/PG students.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Sahoo’s research primarily addresses global environmental and energy crises through advanced photocatalytic solutions. His expertise includes:

Synthesis of novel Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with tailored morphologies and bandgap energy for environmental remediation.
Developing nano-heterostructures to enhance charge separation and suppress electron-hole recombination in photocatalysis.
Surface functionalization of MOFs using graphene oxide, metal oxides, and quantum dots to achieve remarkable catalytic efficiencies.
His innovative work spans characterizing photocatalysts using cutting-edge techniques such as XRD, FESEM, PL, and HRTEM. The practical applications of his research include water splitting, organic transformations, and the degradation of harmful environmental pollutants.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Sahoo’s academic excellence has been recognized through numerous awards:

InSc Young Researcher Award (2022): For outstanding contributions to research.
CSIR-UGC NET JRF (AIR-91): Prestigious qualification enabling him to secure Junior and Senior Research Fellowships.
GATE Qualification (AIR-2384): A testament to his analytical and technical capabilities.
Additionally, he has actively participated in faculty development programs, including the AICTE ATAL FDP and the Faculty Induction Programme at MITS.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Sahoo’s research outputs have left a significant mark on the scientific community. He has published extensively in high-impact journals, with a focus on photocatalysis and environmental sustainability. His work has provided innovative solutions for issues like water pollution and antibiotic resistance. Beyond academia, his participation in conferences and workshops demonstrates his dedication to disseminating knowledge and inspiring future researchers.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Sahoo envisions a future where photocatalysis plays a central role in addressing global sustainability challenges. His ongoing research aims to further enhance the efficiency of MOFs and related nanostructures for scalable industrial applications. Through his teaching and mentorship, Dr. Sahoo continues to empower the next generation of scientists, leaving a lasting legacy in material chemistry and environmental science.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Unlocking the potential of tailored graphitic carbon nitride: Cutting-edge photocatalysis for implications in Antibiotic drug resistance
Authors: P. Aparajita, U. Sahoo, S. Choudhury, S. Pattnayak, G. Hota
Journal: Coordination Chemistry Reviews (Under Review)
Year: 2024

Title: Z scheme induced B, S co-doped g-C3N4 hollow nanotubes/MIL-53 heterostructure: A MOF-derived high-performance photocatalyst for Bisphenol A degradation and H2 evolution
Authors: U. Sahoo, S. Pattnayak, S. Choudhury, P. Aparajita, S. Das, G. Hota
Journal: Optical Materials (Revision submitted)
Year: 2024

Title: Fluorescent detection of Cd²⁺ ions using L-Cysteine functionalized boron-doped g-C3N4 quantum dots as a chemo sensor in aqueous media
Authors: S. Pattnayak, S. Choudhury, U. Sahoo, P. Aparajita, R. Adhikari, G. Hota
Journal: Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Year: 2024

Title: Designing ZnBi₂O₄/ZIF-67 derived hollow Co₃O₄ decorated reduced graphene oxide as a novel hybrid nanocatalyst with boosted visible-light photocatalytic activities
Authors: S. Choudhury, U. Sahoo, S. Pattnayak, P. Aparajita, G. Hota
Journal: ACS Applied Engineering Materials
Year: 2024

Title: Combinatorial Photoactivity Enhancement of Ternary Nanohybrids: Ag Cocatalyst-Dispersed Monoclinic Bi₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ through the Synergistic Action of Induced Oxygen Defect and Porosity for Abatement of Fluoroquinolones and Boosted Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: P. Aparajita, S. Das, U. Sahoo, S. Choudhury, S. Pattnayak, S. Mallick, G. Hota
Journal: ACS Applied Engineering Materials
Year: 2024

Title: Facile synthesis of defect-induced CeO₂/MIL-53(Fe) nanocatalyst: Strategically switching the charge transfer dynamics for remarkable enhancement of photocatalytic Bisphenol A degradation and H₂ evolution
Authors: U. Sahoo, S. Pattnayak, S. Choudhury, P. Aparajita, D. Pradhan, G. Hota
Journal: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
Year: 2023

Title: Strategic growth engineering of Ag self-doped Ag₂CO₃ on MIL-53 MOF: A novel p-n heterostructure facilitates serendipitous charge migration and remarkable multimodal photocatalytic activity
Authors: U. Sahoo, S. Choudhury, S. Pattnayak, P. Aparajita, G. Hota
Journal: Materials Today Communications
Year: 2023

Title: L-Glutathione modified graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots: An ultrasensitive fluorescent sensor for detection of Pb²⁺ in water
Authors: S. Pattnayak, U. Sahoo, S. Choudhury, P. Aparajita, G. Hota
Journal: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry
Year: 2023

Title: S-doped rGO-Enwrapped Magnetically Porous NiFe₂O₄/CuS Heterojunction: An Efficient Z-Scheme Nano-Photocatalyst for Visible-Light-Driven Tetracycline Degradation and 4-Nitrophenol Reduction
Authors: S. Choudhury, S. Pattnayak, U. Sahoo, P. Aparajita, G. Hota
Journal: Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Year: 2023

Title: Double Charge Transfer Mechanistic Insights of Tailoring of BiOI Nanoplates and Boron Doped Graphitic Carbon Nitride: A 2D/2D Anchored p-n Heterojunction Nanocatalyst for Photodegradation Aggrandizement
Authors: P. Aparajita, S. Choudhury, U. Sahoo, S. Pattnayak, S. Padhiary, M. Tripathy, G. Hota
Journal: New Journal of Chemistry
Year: 2023

Title: Silver-Nanoparticle-Decorated g-C₃N₄/MIL-53(Fe) Nanocomposites: A Pre-Eminent Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalyst toward Multimodal Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: U. Sahoo, S. Pattnayak, S. Choudhury, S. Padhiary, M. Tripathy, G. Hota
Journal: Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Year: 2022

Title: Hematite nanoparticles decorated nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide/graphitic carbon nitride multifunctional heterostructure photocatalyst towards environmental applications
Authors: S. Choudhury, U. Sahoo, S. Pattnayak, S. Padhiary, M. Tripathy, G. Hota
Journal: New Journal of Chemistry
Year: 2022

Title: Silver nanoparticles embedded sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots: A fluorescent nanosensor for detection of mercury ions in aqueous media
Authors: S. Pattnayak, U. Sahoo, S. Choudhury, G. Hota
Journal: Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Year: 2022