Photo(Electro)Catalysis Lab @ IIT Delhi
Photo(electro)catalytic sustainable conversion
The transition to a green and sustainable energy based society is one of the grand challenges that faces our society. An appealing approach to progress towards this end, is to mitigate our dependence on fossil fuel by production of so-called solar-fuels from CO2 and water. This intrinsic chemical problem can be realized by development of artificial photosynthetic schemes which by mimicking the plants can give access to selective production of fuel feed-stocks via water splitting and CO2 reduction.
Hydrogen (H2) is now being used as alternative to carbonaceous fuel because of highest energy density and non-toxic waste generation. However, electrochemical water splitting which consists of two important reactions; hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), is considered as one of the most promising approach to produce H2, a renewable fuel. An efficient and durable catalyst must operate both of the half cell reactions (HER and OER) simultaneously under low over-potentials and exhibit fast reaction kinetics. Our group is focused on the development of non-noble metal based bifunctional catalysts for overall water splitting as a economic and sustainable development towards a renewable energy based society.
Design of metal chalcogenides for water splitting
Chakraborty et al. JACSAu 2024, 4, 642-656
Chakraborty et al. J. Mat. Chem. A 2024, 12, 30810-30820
Chakraborty et al. Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 7467
Metal-sulfide
Wolframite-type M1M2O4
Spinel
Design of polyoxometalate-stabilized metal oxide catalysts
Polyoxometalates (POMs) are early transition metal containing anionic inorganic clusters with variable dimensions and property depending on the metal ions present in it. Our group is involved in stabilizing various metal-oxide quantum dots utilizing POMs as the surface protecting ligands. Conjugation of POMs to the surface can control the of structure and function of these complete inorganic structures. We are applying these novel hybrid structures in various energy and/or photo(electro)catalytic conversions.
Chakraborty et al. ACS Appl. Mat. Interfaces 2024, 16, 32385
Electrosynthesis of NH3
Photochemical CO2 reduction
Chakraborty et al. Chem. Eur. J. 2024, 30,
e202400428
Electrochemical H2O splitting
Chakraborty et al. Chem. Eur. J. 2023, 29,
e202203033
Phosphamide catalyzed organic transformation, proton and CO2 reduction
Phosphamide, structurally analogous to phosphine oxide, has never been explored for the above-mentioned phosphorous-mediated redox (PV/III) catalysis. Our group have designed a series of molecular phosphamide, polyphosphamides and phoapahmide on metal oxide supports as heterogeneous catalysts for the organic conversions like Appel or Wittig reactions. We are looking forward to design novel poly-phosphamides which will show potential photo(electro)catalytic conversion of small molecules into valuable organic and inorganic feedstocks.
Appel Reaction
CO2 reduction/utilization
Proton conduction/reduction
Chakraborty et al. J. Org. Chem. 2024, 89, 15851
Chakraborty et al. Small 2025, 21, 2412256
Chakraborty et al. J. Mat. Chem. A 2025, 13, 21480
International Recognitions
PEC Lab updates!
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Congratulation to Dr. Anubha Rajput and Dr. Laxmikanta Mallick our two recent PhD graduates!
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Congratulations Anup for his recent paper in J. Mat. Chem. A 2025!
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Congratulations Hirak for his first research article as first author in ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2025!
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PEC lab welcomes Muskan, the new PhD student!
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Congratulations Nidhi for her research article in Small 2025!
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Congratulations Dikshita for her first research article in Small 2025!
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Congratulations Anubha and Avinava for their J. Mat. Chem. A 2024 papers!
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Congratulations Dr. Chakraborty for being promoted to Associate Professor!
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PhD position available time to time! Candidates with M.Sc. in chemistry/inorganic chemistry/material science background may apply through IITD application portal for June or December session each year.
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Institute or personal funded postdoc positions are not available in the group. PEC lab can only host the externally funded postdocs. Interested postdoc candidate with inorganic chemistry or material science background may write application/proposal for NPDF (ANRF), CSIR-RA or any other funding opportunities may contact.