M.A. KHAN
group
M.A. KHAN
group
Photo/electrochemical systems for sustainable future
Emissions reduction technologies are central to the global transition toward net zero. At REAL, we explore redox active materials and processes that drive renewable energy generation, environmental cleaning, and separate contaminants, all in pursuit of a more sustainable future.
Electrochemical Separations
This research tackles the urgent need for the development of scalable seperations methods. Our conceptual focus is on using redox adsorbents and porous carbons (with different degree of order and disorder) to remove CO2 from flue gas streams and air in an electrically driven process.
At the same time we maintain a syenthetic program aimed at developing framework materials where available electron density of redox capture sites can be regulated.
Khan et. al. Electrochemical CO2 Capture by a Quinone-Based Covalent Organic Framework, Journal of American Chemical Society (2025) link
Photochemcial Environmental Remediation
Capturing visible-light energy with semiconducting materials offers a sustainable path to clean energy generation, chemical synthesis, and environmental remediation. The effectiveness of photocatalysis depends on the interplay of material’s chemical makeup and electronic surface features, we investigate both design principles and the role of conditions governing performance of the photo and electro active systems.
Fariah et al. Redox Nature of Organics Modulates Multi-Pollutant Photocatalysis: Study of Cr(VI) Reduction and Degradation of Organics with CuNiFe LDH/C3N4 Heterostructures, Catalysis Science & Technology, (2025) link
Imran et al. Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin over heterostructured C3N4/Nb2O5 system under visible light, Heliyon (2023) link
Photoelectrochemical Sensors
By harnessing the photo- and electro-responsive behavior of the materials, we develop sensing platforms that enable highly sensitive and selective detection of heavy metals and other environmental pollutants at trace levels.
Irum et al., Gd3+ and Sm3+ Ions Modulated Visible-Light-Emitting ZnSe:Mn2+ Nanocrystals for Detection of Pb2+ and Hg2+, ACS Applied Optical Materials (2025) link
Real-time photoluminescence quenching video link