Porous Materials & Catalysis Group

Nanoporous Materials:

Nanoporous materials have gained scientific and technological importance because of the presence of their pore structures of tunable dimensions at nanometer scales. Over the last few decades, there has been an ever-increasing interest and research effort in the synthesis, characterization, functionalization of nanoporous materials. The main challenges in research include the fundamental understanding of structure-property relations and tailoring of nanostructures for specific properties and applications. The main research focus of our group is the synthesis and characterization of nanostructured catalysts for various applications. Among the priorities are the development of materials with organic framework, search for new and improvement of existing catalytic systems, and studies of intimate mechanisms of heterogeneous reactions and reactant-to-surface reactions, identification of active sites.

Heterogenization of homogeneous catalysis & its application on various chemical processes:

Development of new, highly efficient heterogenized catalysts is an active and important area in fine chemical synthesis. Homogeneous catalysis though has witnessed significant growth in the last few decades in terms of high selectivity, TON and TOF’s, however the success in catalyst and process development has not been in parallel by similar growth on industrial scale. Supports play a significant role in such systems. The micro environment around the catalyst active site will be the deciding factors in achieving high conversions with high selectivity. Heterogenization of homogeneous catalysts onto supports such as zeolites, nanoporoous materials like silica and polymers would be of much interest in design and development of processes for fine chemical production. The current focus of our group is to utilize mesoporous polymers as catalyst support for heteroligation of homogeneous catalyst and utilize them for important organic transformations such as oxidations with environmentally benign oxidants for e.g. hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). 

Synthesis and Catalytic Applications Metal Organic Framework (MOFs)

The metal organic frameworks (MOF’s) are the advanced materials with exceptional textural properties. Catalysis by MOFs mainly depends on the active sites, both metal centres and organic linkers. Organic bridging linkers are used as scaffolds to which distinct catalytic complexes, biomolecules, and homogeneous catalysts can be immobilized or encapsulated.  These materials are known for their textural properties such as high surface area, intrinsic porosity, a high percent of transition metal content, and accessibility of guest molecules into the pores. The beneficial properties of the metal organic frameworks made them excellent material for catalytic applications.  In the last two decades, MOFs have presented a significantly amplified role in heterogeneous catalysis as they have been considered as eco-friendly alternatives for catalysis. The ongoing research work in our group aims at the synthesis of MOFs with good thermal stability and high surface area. In addition, MOF-derived carbon-based materials are used in the proposed organic transformations.

Publications:

1. "Upgrading of bio-derived alcohols: Selective synthesis of organic carbonates over acid-modulated MIL-101(Cr) MOF catalyst" Authors: Kulkarni, Bhavana; Velagala, Sai Krishna Reddy; Maradur, Sanjeev, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, accepted, 2024
2. "Tandem hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis of furfural to 2-methylfuran over multifunctional metallic Cu nanoparticles supported ZIF-8 catalyst" BB Kulkarni, SP Maradur, Bioresource Technology,402 (2024) 130805.
3. "Effect of morphology and their oxygen vacancies of nanostructured CeO2 catalyst for carboxymethylation of biomass-derived alcohols" Kempanna S Kanakikodi, Nagendra Kulal, KS Subramanya, MS Puneethkumar, Bhavana B Kulkarni, Ganapati V Shanbhag, Sanjeev P Maradur*. Molecular Catalysis 552 (2024) 113667.
4. "Continuous Flow Liquid-phase Semi-hydrogenation of Phenylacetylene over Pd Nanoparticles Supported on UiO-66(Hf) Metal-Organic Framework" Akkenapally Swamy, Kempanna S. Kanakikodi, Vasudeva Rao Bakuru, Bhavana B. Kulkarni, Sanjeev P.Maradur*, Suresh Babu Kalidindi*, Chemistry Select (2023) 8 (5), e202203926.
5. "Highly selective aromatization of light naphtha using mesoporous aluminosilicate catalysts and theoretical model for predicting activity" S Sujith, BJ Vaishnavi, Girish Kamath, Ranjith R Kumar, R Sudarshan Reddy, G Valavarasu, Raman Ravishankar, Sanjeev P Maradur, C Bennet, Ganapati V Shanbhag, Journal of Porous Materials, 30 (2023) 1069-1083.
6. "Synergistic catalytic activity of core-shell Pd@UiO-66(Hf) MOF catalyst for the one-pot hydrogenation-esterification of furfural". Bhavana B. Kulkarni, Kempanna S. Kanakikodi , Sanjeev P. Maradur, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 343 (2022) 112147.
7. "Laddered type-1 heterojunction: Harvesting full-solar-spectrum in scavenger free photocatalysis". Antony Dasint Lopis, K.S. Choudhari, Ranajit Sai , Kempanna S. Kanakikodi , Sanjeev P. Maradur, S.A. Shivashankar, Suresh D. Kulkarni, Solar Energy, 240 (2022) 57-68.
8. "Selective, conformal deposition of Silver on heterojunction under direct sunlight: Plasmon enhanced photocatalysis". Antony Dasint Lopis; K.S. Choudhari; Kempanna S. Kanakikodi; Sanjeev P Maradur; Suresh Kulkarni, Materials Research Bulletin, 154 (2022) 111929. 
9. "Unraveling High Alkene Selectivity at Full Conversion in Alkyne Hydrogenation over Ni under Continuous Flow Conditions". Bakuru, Vasudeva; Fazl-Ur-Rahman, Kashifa; Periyasamy, Ganga; Velaga, Bharath; Peela, Nageswara Rao; DMello, Marilyn; Kanakikodi, Kempanna; Maradur, Sanjeev; Maji, Tapas; Kalidindi, Suresh, Catalysis Science & Technology, 12 (2022) 5265-5273.
10. "Exploring the effect of acid modulators on MIL-101 (Cr) metal–organic framework catalysed olefin-aldehyde condensation: a sustainable approach for the selective synthesis of nopol". Bhavana B. Kulkarni, Kempanna S. Kanakikodi, Dheer A. Rambhia, Suresh Babu Kalidindi and Sanjeev P. Maradur, New journal of Chemistry, 46 (2022) 726-738.

READ  MORE

Patents

• Inventors: Ryong Ryoo, Dae-Heung Choi, Maradur Sanjeev “Production method of mesoporous organic polymer catalyst, mesoporous organic polymer catalyst produced using the method, and process for epoxidation of olefins using the catalyst”. Korean Patent Registration number: 1011704860000, Dated 2012/07/26 (Granted).
• Inventors: Yang, KapSeung. Maradur Sanjeev P .Kim, YeongCheol. “Method for preparation of carbon fibers using lignin copolymer and the carbon fibers thereby”. Korean Patent Registration number: 1012261910000, Dated 2013/01/18 (Granted).

Sponsored projects

1. Seed Money for Young Scientist Research Award from Vision Group on Science and Technology, Govt of Karnataka 2014-2015 “Design of novel mesoporous polymers as catalyst for the synthesis of glycerol derivatives, potential fuel additive molecules for diesel and gasoline” (2013-2014).
2. “Conversion of Waste Plastics into Fuels” Short Term Project Sponsored by Thermax Industries Ltd, Pune (July 2015)
3. Co-investigator in GTC Technology, Houston, USA and Hindustan Petroleum Green R&D Center Bangalore sponsored project (2015-20).
4. “Development of Novel Mesoporous Polymer Based Catalysts for Low Temperature Catalytic Applications” Sponsored by Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) Green R&D Center, Bangalore (2016-18).
5. “Performance Evaluation of Reforming Catalyst” Sponsored by Thermax Industries Ltd, Pune (July 2017- May 2018)
6. “Design and Development of Catalyst and Process for the nitration of aromatics” Sponsored by Deepak Nitrite Ltd., Baroda, Gujarat (2019-20)

●     2020-Present: Associate. Professor, PPISR, Bangalore, India

●     2012-2020: Assistant. Professor, PPISR, Bangalore, India

●     2011-2012: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Oklahoma, USA

●     2010-2011: Postdoctoral Student, Alan MacDiarmid Energy Research Institute (AMERI), Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea

●     2009-2010: Postdoctoral Scientist, Dept. of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea

●     2007-2009: Research Scientist, Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd, Noida, India

●     2006-2007: Senior Research Fellow, Dept. of chemistry, IIT-Bombay, Mumbai, India

●     2003-2006: Ph.D. Dept. of Chemistry, Shivaji University Kolhapur, India

• • Total publications:  36
  • Book Chapters:  2
  • Papers presented in conferences and symposiums: 14
  • Invited talks:  16
  • Number of PhDs : 02
  • Number of PhDs guiding : 02
  • Number of PhDs as co-guide: 01
  • Number of M.Tech thesis guided: 02
  • Number of MSc Interns guided: 30
  • Number of sponsored projects: 08
    
    

1. Received Seed Money for Young Scientist Research Program Award from Vision Group on Science and Technology, Govt of Karnataka in 2014.
2. Received a plaque from GTC Technology Inc. USA in 2014& 2015 in recognition of the milestones achieved by the group in developing a modified zeolite catalyst for aromatics technology.
3. Co-inventor in 2 Korean patents on a). Preparation of novel mesoporous polymer andb). Low cost carbon-fiber technology with two different research groups of South Korea.
4. Life member of International Zeolite Association (IZA) and Catalysis Society of India (CSI) and member of American Chemical Society.

Miss. Bhavana. B. Kulkarni (Research scholar)I did my bachelor's degree (BSc) from Rani channamma University Belagavi and a Master's in general chemistry at SB Arts and KCP science college, Bijapur, from Rani Channamma University Belagavi, India. I joined the materials science and catalysis division at PPISR.My area of interest is Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are crystalline materials constructed by the co-ordination linkage between secondary building unit (SBU)/ metal cluster and bi- or multipodal organic linkers. The interesting properties of MOFs include well defined pores, high tunable pore surfaces, flexible nature, and rational design of their structures. Lately, these materials have gained the tremendous research interest in the different sectors such as catalysis, hydrogen storage and carbon dioxide capture. This project aims at the synthesis of MOFs and MOF-derived carbons with goodthermal stability and high surface area. These materials are used in the different organic transformations.