Research Projects

Global energy demand is increasing rapidly, leading to an energy crisis and environmental pollution. 85% of energy consumed is produced through fossil fuel combustion, causing by-products like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide, and particulates. The centralized nature of fossil fuel reserves threatens national security, especially for countries like India relying on imports. Alternative energy systems, such as fuel cells, have gained interest as clean energy converters. These cells require hydrogen and oxygen as fuel and oxidant, and require a Pt catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and IrO2 for oxygen evolution reaction (ORR). However, high costs, time-dependent drift, and carbon monoxide deactivation pose challenges for commercialization. Efforts have been made to design efficient, low-cost, and easily synthesizable nonprecious metal catalysts for electrolysis and ORR.