The aim of this project is to synthesize efficient catalyst for methane activation reaction. The activation of methane enables the direct conversion of methane (a major component of natural gas) into higher monetary value chemicals such as alcohols, syngas, alkenes, alkynes and aromatics, a reaction regarded as the holy grail in the chemical industry. The project involves designing nanomaterials such as metal oxides, zeolites and metal nanoparticles to tailor for these reactions. It can be achieved through techniques like surface modification, metal support interaction and active site functionalisation.
The project aims develop and utilise catalysis technology for green energy application, especially for hydrogen production and storage; and CO2 capture and conversion. The projects involves designing new efficient catalyst materials, finding new mechanistic pathways and creating innovative solutions for hydrogen production and CO2 capture.
Prevention of unforeseen and sudden accidents within our immediate environment as a result of gaseous pollutants and /or gas cylinder leakage make it necessary for researchers and industrialist across the world to provide effective means for present and future prevention through fabrication of gas sensors. Semiconductor metal oxide gas sensors have been proven to be the most efficient gas sensors exploited so for due to a number of reasons such as simplicity in their fabrication and cost effective.
Theoretical study always help to understand the more sciences. This modelling and simulation study is to explore the behavior of pristine and different doped metal oxide clusters in the presence of gas molecules. The results may help to understand the mechanism of sensitivity and reactivity improvements in the gas sensors which will be useful for the experimental works. Energy calculations, geometry optimizations, density of states (DOS), and natural bond orbital analyses are some of selected simulation works.
Waste generated as by product from many factories. Zinc, copper, nickel, lead and toxic dye contaminated wastewater has been a major concern due to its extremely hazardous impact on the environment and human health. Adsorption method have been proven to be most effective and low-cost technique for treating the contaminated wastewater. Modified and development of activated carbon with waste biomass as its precursor are considered as an excellent adsorbent for removal of the contaminants due to its cost effective and high adsorption capacity.
Application of AI in material design.
Plasmonic based rapid sensing technology
This project aimed to utilize CO2 for production of value added products and as carbon feedstock for biofuels synthesis. The research will focus on key challenges in catalysts design and catalytic reaction. Student will be exposed to the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts using impregnation method and deposition precipitation method. Catalytic reaction will be carried out using gas flow reactor at different temperature and pressure. Student also will have opportunities to collaborate with university in Malaysia, Indonesia and UK to carry out experiments and catalysts characterisation.
This project will focus on designing and modification of semiconductor for photocatalytic reforming of biofuels mainly for the production of hydrogen gas. Student will be exposed towards synthesis and characterization of metal nanoparticles on semiconductor supports, and also second generations semiconductor. Student also will be exposed on instrumental analysis, XRD, N2 adsorption, SEM, and solar mediated photocatalytic reactor.
The essence of the project is to work with a technology capables of utilizing a wide varieties of feedstocks for bio-fuel productions. This project will focus on the chemical thermodynamics of ethanol production by using various lignocellulose biomass feedstocks, to provide the flexibility in feedstocks usage and eventually establish the optimized conditions for these biomass resources.