Research Projects

Catalysis is a crucial solution for energy depletion, environmental problems, and healthcare industries. Heterogeneous catalysis is considered the gold standard due to its robust synthesis protocol, long-term regeneration capabilities, easy recoverability, and reusable nature. Efficient catalysts should possess high abundancy, low cost, low toxicity, high chemical stability, and tunability of electronic and optical properties. Metal-based nanomaterials have been extensively studied for their activity in heterogeneous catalysis, but they face complex optimization, leaching problems, and narrow light energy absorption. A rationally designed multicomponent nano-hybrid could provide an excellent alternative, combining the advantages of each component individually or synergistically for excellent catalytic activities. This study rationalizes the creation of a nano-hybrid by combining metal nanoclusters with carbon dots for multimodal catalytic applications. The goal is to tackle hydrogen evaluation reactions (HER) for photocatalysis, carbon-di-oxide reduction reactions (CO2RR) for electrocatalysis, and value-added product formation from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) through standard organic transformations. The goal is to construct an excellent photo-electro-chemical setup for green and biomass conversions.