Ahmed Abu-Dief | Chemistry | Editorial Board Member

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Prof Dr. Ahmed Abu-Dief | Chemistry
| Editorial Board Member

Taibah university | Saudi Arabia

Prof Dr. Ahmed Abu-Dief research portfolio demonstrates extensive contributions to coordination chemistry, materials chemistry, and the development of multifunctional metal-based complexes with advanced biological and industrial applications. Recent work explores engineered Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) complexes derived from 2-aminobenzothiazole, integrating experimental synthesis with theoretical modeling to reveal their potent antitumor, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. This line of investigation provides insight into structure–activity relationships and highlights the therapeutic potential of transition-metal compounds. Parallel research advances the field of porous organic cages, emphasizing their tunable architecture, adsorption behavior, and multifaceted utility across energy storage, gas separation, catalysis, environmental remediation, and sensor technologies. The broader body of work spans molecular design, spectroscopic characterization, density functional theory, supramolecular chemistry, and the development of functional materials with targeted chemical reactivity and optimized performance. Through over two hundred publications, the research consistently integrates theoretical predictions with experimental validation, enabling innovations in catalysis, bioinorganic chemistry, nanomaterials, and sustainable energy applications. Collectively, these contributions strengthen the understanding of metal–ligand interaction mechanisms, enhance pathways for developing next-generation functional materials, and support the translation of molecular systems into impactful real-world chemical, environmental, and biomedical solutions.

Featured Publications

Ali, H., Orooji, Y., Al Alwan, B., Al Jery, A. E., Alsehli, M., Abu-Dief, A. M., Guo, S. R., … (2026). The promise of porous organic cages: Bridging fundamental insights and real-world impact in energy and beyond. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 548, 217212.

Abu-Dief, A. M., Al-Farraj, E. S., Abdel-Hameed, M., Alahmadi, N., Fathalla, M., … (2026). Design and synthesis of tunable Schiff base complexes from bis-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene) anthracene-9,10-dione: Integrated structural, biological, and molecular modeling insights. Computational Biology and Chemistry, 120, 108682.

Hayat, A., Alghamdi, M. M., El-Zahhar, A. A., Abu-Dief, A. M., Hassan, H. M. A., Yue, D., … (2026). Recent advances in solar light-driven overall water splitting: A comprehensive review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 226, 116426.

Kalaivanan Nagarajan | Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Kalaivanan Nagarajan | Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai | India

Dr. Kalaivanan Nagarajan research focuses on exploring the fundamental and applied aspects of light–matter strong coupling, particularly vibrational strong coupling (VSC), to understand and manipulate chemical reactivity and material properties within optical cavities. By integrating principles from physical chemistry, quantum electrodynamics, and materials science, the work investigates how molecular vibrations interact coherently with confined optical modes in Fabry–Perot cavities to form hybrid light–matter states known as vibrational polaritons. These studies reveal how strong coupling conditions can reshape potential energy surfaces, influence molecular structure, dynamics, and reaction kinetics, and ultimately enable control of chemical transformations without the need for external photoexcitation. A key highlight of this research is the demonstration that VSC can modulate phase transition behaviors, such as the glass transition temperature of polymers like polyvinyl acetate and polystyrene, providing experimental evidence of cavity-modified thermomechanical properties. Through systematic spectroscopic, thermodynamic, and theoretical investigations, the research establishes how vacuum electromagnetic fields play an active role in determining material behavior and chemical outcomes. This pioneering approach contributes to the emerging field of polariton chemistry, offering new pathways for designing energy-efficient reactions, reactivity control strategies, and material innovations driven by quantum light–matter interactions.

Featured Publications

Thomas, A., Lethuillier-Karl, L., Nagarajan, K., Vergauwe, R. M. A., George, J., & Ebbesen, T. W. (2019). Tilting a ground-state reactivity landscape by vibrational strong coupling. Science, 363(6427), 615–619. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aau7742

Nagarajan, K., Thomas, A., & Ebbesen, T. W. (2021). Chemistry under vibrational strong coupling. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 143(41), 16877–16889. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.1c07487

Sharma, P., Damien, D., Nagarajan, K., Shaijumon, M. M., & Hariharan, M. (2013). Perylene-polyimide-based organic electrode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 4(19), 3192–3197. https://doi.org/10.1021/jz401590t

Vergauwe, R. M. A., Thomas, A., Nagarajan, K., Shalabney, A., George, J., & Ebbesen, T. W. (2019). Modification of enzyme activity by vibrational strong coupling of water. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 58(43), 15324–15328. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201906346

 Nagarajan, K., Mallia, A. R., Muraleedharan, K., & Hariharan, M. (2017). Enhanced intersystem crossing in core-twisted aromatics. Chemical Science, 8(3), 1776–1782. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC04791E

 Banda, H., Damien, D., Nagarajan, K., Hariharan, M., & Shaijumon, M. M. (2015). A polyimide-based all-organic sodium ion battery. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 3(19), 10453–10458. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5TA01921B

Thomas, A., Jayachandran, A., Lethuillier-Karl, L., Vergauwe, R. M. A., Nagarajan, K., George, J., & Ebbesen, T. W. (2020). Ground state chemistry under vibrational strong coupling: Dependence of thermodynamic parameters on the Rabi splitting energy. Nanophotonics, 9(2), 249–255. https://doi.org/10.1515/nanoph-2019-0357

Banda, H., Damien, D., Nagarajan, K., Raj, A., Hariharan, M., & Shaijumon, M. M. (2017). Twisted perylene diimides with tunable redox properties for organic sodium-ion batteries. Advanced Energy Materials, 7(20), 1701316. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.201701316

Prajnashree Panda | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Prajnashree Panda l Chemistry
| Best Researcher Award

Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai | India

Dr. Prajnashree Panda’s research focuses on the rational design, synthesis, and development of advanced nanostructured materials for next-generation energy storage and conversion technologies. Her work primarily targets the fabrication and optimization of high-performance electrode materials for sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries, as well as supercapacitors, emphasizing the integration of nanostructured metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, and metal-organic frameworks. She has made significant contributions to understanding structure–property relationships in hybrid and porous carbon-based materials, aiming to enhance electrochemical performance, cycling stability, and energy density. Her research extends to the synthesis of heteroatom-doped porous carbons and two-dimensional boron carbonitride materials for multifunctional applications, including gas adsorption and catalysis. Dr. Panda’s experimental expertise encompasses a wide range of advanced material synthesis techniques such as solvothermal, electrospinning, and electrodeposition methods, coupled with comprehensive characterization using XRD, FESEM, TEM, XPS, and electrochemical analysis. Her collaborative studies on high-voltage cathodes have contributed to sustainable advancements in battery chemistry, addressing critical challenges in energy density and structural degradation. By integrating nanocatalysis and electrochemical insight, her research offers innovative pathways for CO₂ reduction, hydrogen evolution, and next-generation cathode design, positioning her work at the forefront of clean energy materials research

Featured Publication

Panda, P. (2024). Next-generation high-voltage cathodes for lithium-ion batteries: Challenges, innovations, and future directions. Journal of Energy Materials, 15(2), 123–145. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Rakesh kumar Ramanathan | Chemistry | Best Review Paper Award

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Mr. Rakesh kumar Ramanathan l Chemistry
| Best Review Paper Award

Aakash institute of technology | India

Mr. Rakesh Kumar Ramanathan’s research primarily focuses on the synthesis and characterization of organic and inorganic nanoparticles, emphasizing their structural, thermal, optical, and antibacterial properties for advanced material applications. His recent open-access publication, “Structural, Thermal, Optical, Mechanical, and Antibacterial Properties of PLA/Nanoclay/TiO₂ Nanocomposite Films” in Letters in Applied Nanobioscience (2023), explores polymer nanocomposite films that enhance biocompatibility, strength, and antibacterial efficiency—contributing to potential applications in biomedical and packaging industries. His experimental and computational chemistry background enables him to integrate green synthesis techniques using natural extracts and hydrothermal processes for developing CuO, ZnO, and MnO₂ nanoparticles. His projects demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches, including natural nano-medicine for carcinoma treatment, solar cell efficiency enhancement using organic dyes, and chemosensor formation for detecting reactive nitrogen species such as peroxynitrite. With a strong foundation in spectroscopy and instrumentation (including NMR), he has presented his work at national conferences and workshops in computational and applied chemistry. Through his innovative nanoparticle synthesis and application-oriented projects, Mr. Ramanathan’s research contributes to sustainable nanotechnology, clean energy development, and biomedical advancements—reflecting a growing expertise in the field of chemical and material science

Profile:  Google Scholar

Featured Publication

Mukherjee, C., Varghese, D., Krishna, J. S., Boominathan, T., Rakeshkumar, R., & … (2023). Recent advances in biodegradable polymers–properties, applications and future prospects. European Polymer Journal, 192, 112068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2023.112068

Vijayalakshmi Pandurangan | Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Vijayalakshmi Pandurangan l Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

SIMATS Deemed University | India

Dr. Vijayalakshmi Pandurangan is a distinguished researcher in Chemistry with a strong focus on nanocomposite synthesis, photocatalysis, and environmental sustainability. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry (2020–2024) from Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai, for her highly commended doctoral research titled “Synthesis of Nanocomposites and Its Photocatalytic Degradation Efficiency on Organic Pollutants.” She also holds an M.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Madras, a B.Ed. in Physical Science from Pondicherry University, and an M.Ed. in Education from The Tamil Nadu Teacher Education University. Dr. Vijayalakshmi is currently preparing for a prestigious three-month IIPP Research Internship at the National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan (July–September 2025). Her research interests encompass energy storage and conversion, CO₂ reduction, water splitting, electrochemistry, and molecular docking. Skilled in advanced characterization tools such as XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, she has authored 10 scientific publications in high-impact journals, including Ionics, ChemistrySelect, Electrochimica Acta, and Langmuir. Her research has been cited 7 times by 7 documents, with a Scopus h-index of 2 (Scopus ID: 57197218673; ORCID: 0009-0003-0232-7621). Dr. Vijayalakshmi has actively participated in international conferences and workshops, contributing to global scientific discourse. She remains committed to advancing green technologies and developing sustainable solutions for environmental and energy challenges through innovative, interdisciplinary research.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publication 

Mariappan, K., Sivaji, S. P., Chen, S. M., Sakthinathan, S., Chen, C. L., Vijayalakshmi, P., Mariappan, C., Murugan, S. B., & Chiu, T. W. (2025). An experimental method for the sensitive detection of carbendazim using a glassy carbon electrode modified with bismuth ferrite anchored on carbon black composites. Microchemical Journal, 114500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2025.114500

Aayoosh Singh | Materials Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Aayoosh Singh | Materials Chemistry | Young Scientist Award 

Research Scholar | Basnaras Hindu University | India

Mr. Aayoosh Singh is a research scholar and Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Chemistry, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, specializing in the design and development of multi-stimuli responsive optical materials for applications in sensing, imaging, and smart material technologies. His doctoral research, under the supervision of Prof. V. P. Singh, focuses on the design of coumarin-based multifunctional optical materials for the detection of Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, with an emphasis on bioimaging. Mr. Aayoosh Singh possesses expertise in the multistep synthesis of both organic and inorganic optical materials, as well as extensive experience in photochemical sensing and the modulation of photophysical properties. He is proficient in advanced characterization techniques, including Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction (SC-XRD), FT-IR, NMR, HRMS, UV-Vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and various electron microscopy methods. A skilled user of data analysis tools such as Origin, Olex2, and Gaussian, Aayoosh has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals. His research has applications in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and smart materials development. Apart from his research, Mr. Aayoosh Singh is involved in mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students and has presented his work at national and international conferences. He has also been actively engaged in academic workshops focusing on research ethics and effective scientific writing. Mr. Aayoosh Singh work has garnered significant recognition, with 64 citations across 52 documents, 9 documents published, and an h-index of 4.

Featured Publications

  • Singh, A., Yadav, P., Singh, S., Kumar, P., Srikrishna, S., & Singh, V. P. (2023). A multifunctional coumarin-based probe for distinguishable detection of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺: Piezochromic, viscochromic, and AIE behavior with real sample analysis and bioimaging applications. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 11(36), 13056–13066.

  • Singh, A., Yadav, P., Singh, A. K., Tamang, R., Koch, B., & Singh, V. P. (2025). Ultrasound defect-sensitive mechanochromic material with blue-shifted emission for the detection of Cu²⁺ in Alzheimer’s disease cells. Materials Chemistry Frontiers, 9, 1520–1533.

  • Singh, A., Singh, A. K., Yadav, P., Singh, A. K., Kumar, P., Srikrishna, S., & Singh, V. P. (2025). A stimuli-responsive multifunctional smart luminophore with aggregation-induced enhanced emission. Advanced Optical Materials (Revision submitted).

  • Singh, A. K., Singh, A., Patel, M., Singh, V. P., & Rosy, S. (2025). Metal-free graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet for dual-mode fluorescence and electrochemical detection of para-nitrophenol. Nanoscale, 17, 13238.

  • Singh, A. K., Yadav, P., Singh, A., Singh, A. K., Sharma, S. K., Sonkar, V. K., & Singh, V. P. (2025). A coumarin-derived multi-faceted optical material with molecular logic gate for bioimaging. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 13, 12388–12399.

  • Gond, S., Yadav, P., Singh, A., Garai, S., Shekhar, A., Gupta, S. C., & Singh, V. P. (2023). A colorimetric and OFF–ON fluorometric chemosensor based on a rhodamine–pyrazole derivative for the detection of Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, and Cr³⁺ ions, and its intracellular application. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 21(25), 4482–4490.