Projects
Achieving Cost-Effective, Dual-Output Water Electrolysis for Simultaneous Hydrogen and H₂O₂ Production
Schme & Funder: Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant by ANRF, India
Value: 72,00,000 INR
Duration: 3 Years (2025 - 2028)
This project aims to develop a hybrid water electrolysis system for the simultaneous production of hydrogen (H₂) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), offering a safer, more sustainable alternative to conventional methods. By replacing the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with a selective two-electron water oxidation reaction (2e⁻ WOR), H₂O₂ is produced at the anode, while H₂ is generated at the cathode. Earth-abundant nanostructured catalysts, including phosphides, chalcogenides, and metal oxides will be developed and optimized for HER and 2e⁻ WOR. Catalyst screening, performance evaluation, and integration into a pilot electrolyzer will enable efficient co-production of H₂ and H₂O₂ under mild conditions, making water electrolysis economically lucrative and environmentally sustainable.
Self-supported Cu and Zn-based Oxide/hydroxide Electrocatalysts for Selective Alcohol Oxidation Reactions
Scheme & Funder: Initiation Grant from Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Value: 25,00,000 INR
Duration: 2 Years (2024 - 2026)
This project aims at developing Cu and Zn-based electrocatalysts for the alcohol oxidation reaction (AOR), leveraging anodization as a key fabrication technique. Anodization enables the formation of self-supported, high-surface-area CuOₓ and ZnOₓ nanostructures with tunable porosity and oxide phase composition, enhancing electrochemical active sites for efficient alcohol oxidation. These catalysts will be applied in water-alcohol co-electrolysis systems to lower anodic overpotentials compared to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), thereby reducing overall energy consumption. Successful integration of Cu and Zn-based AOR electrocatalysts can facilitate sustainable hydrogen production while simultaneously generating value-added carbon-based products from alcohol oxidation.