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IInvenTiv2026

Faculty details

Prof.Sumanta Kumar Padhi

Designation: Professor

Department: Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Email: sumanta[at]iitism[dot]ac[dot]in

Contact Number:

Office Number: +91-326-223-5114

Personal Page: Click Here

About Me: Sumanta K. Padhi received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati in 2008 and subsequently pursued postdoctoral research in Japan as a MEXT Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Science, and in South Korea under the WCU Program at Ewha Womans University. He also served as a Special Appointment Professor at the Bio-redox Research Center in 2013. Since July 2013, he has been associated with Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad, where he is currently Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. His research focuses on homogeneous catalysis for small-molecule activation, with particular emphasis on sustainable energy and chemical transformations involving CO₂, NH₃, and hydrogen.

Research Interest: Artificial Photosynthesis (Sustainable Future and Green Energy) The following major AREAs we explore. CO₂ reduction and Hydrogenation; NH₃ Oxidation to Green Hydrogen; HCOOH Dehydrogenation; Proton reduction and Water Oxidation; and Electrochemical Transformations of Organic Compounds. The Group explore the synthesis of Novel ligands and their transition metal complexes. The complexes are employed to explore the catalytic activities in the above areas.

Curriculum
Vitae
Publications

Teaching

PhD Theory
  • Instrumental Techniques in Chemistry-I (ACC 61157), PhD Chemistry
  • Instrumental Techniques in Chemistry-II (ACC 61158), PhD Chemistry
  • Characterization Techniques for Inorganic Chemists (ACE 61166/CYD 519), PhD Chemistry
M.Sc. Theory
  • Transition Metal Chemistry, NCYC 519, M.Sc. 2nd Semester
  • Group Theory, NCYC512, M.Sc. 1st Semester
  • Inorganic Chemistry - V (ACC 31133), M.Sc. 1st Semester
  • Group Theory (NCYC 512), M.Sc. 1st Semester
  • Coordination Chemistry (ACC 31133/CYC 505), M.Sc. 1st Semester
  • Physical Chemistry - V (ACC 32135), M.Sc. 2nd Semester
  • Introduction to Group Theory (ACC 32138), M.Sc. 2nd Semester
  • Group Theory and Electronic Spectroscopy (CYC 511), M.Sc. 2nd Semester
  • Electrochemical Energy System  (ACE 34152), M.Sc. 4th Semester
  • Electro & Photo-chemical Energy Systems (ACE 34151), M.Sc. 4th Semester
M.Sc. Practical
  • Analytical Chemistry Practical (CYC518), 3rd Sem. M.Sc.
  • Chemistry Practical I (ACC32131), 1st Sem. M.Sc.
  • Chemistry Practical IV (ACC32234), 2nd Sem. M.Sc. 
  • Inorganic Chemistry Lab - I (ACC 31231), 1st Sem. M.Sc.
  • Inorganic Chemistry Lab - II (ACC 33235), 3rd Sem. M.Sc.
  • Inorganic Chemistry Lab. I (ACC 13220), 3rd Sem. 5 yrs Int. M.Sc. Applied Geology
B.Tech. Theory
  • Chemistry-II (ACC 82193), Preparatory B.Tech. (OVL)
  • Chemistry-I (ACC 01101), Common B.Tech.
  • Preparatory B.Tech.Chemistry-II (ACC 02101),
  • Preparatory B.Tech.Chemistry for Chemical Engineers (ACR 13101), Chemical Engineering 3rd Sem.
  • Instrumental methods for environmental analysis (ACC 15104), Env. Sc. & Engineering 5th Sem.
  • Physical Chemistry (ACC 15103), Petroleum Engineering 5th Sem.
B.Tech. Practical
  • Chemistry Lab I (ACC 11201/CYI502), B.Tech.
  • Chemistry Lab II (ACC 82293), Preparatory B.Tech.
  • Analytical Techniques in Environmental Engg. Lab (ACC 15204), Env. Sc. & Engineering 5th Sem.
  • Physical Chemistry Lab (ACC 15203), Petroleum Engineering 5th Sem.

Academics

  • PhD IIT Guwahati, Assam, INDIA (Nov 2008)
  • M.Sc. Utkal University, Odisha, INDIA (2001 - 2003), CHEMISTRY (1st Division with Inorganic Chemistry Specialization)
  • B.Sc. Godavaris Mahavidyalaya (Utkal University), Odisha, INDIA (1998- 2001), (1st Class with Distinction and Best Graduate of the Year 2001-2002)
  • Academic Identity

ORCiD ID Scopus ID Researcher ID Google Scholar

  • RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Press Release Cover Page Front Cover Chemistry Views Prabhat Khabar News Hindustan NEWS

Position

  • Professor: 20th Apr 2026 - Present
  • Associate Professor: 12th Apr 2021 - 19th Apr 2026
  • Assistant Professor (13A1): 8th July 2016 - 11th Apr 2021
  • Assistant Professor (GRADE I): 8th July 2013 - 7th July 2016
  • Professor for Special Appointment: Apr 2013 - Jun 2016 (Center for Biomimetic Systems, EWHA Womans University, Seoul, South Korea)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow: World Class University (WCU) Program (Apr 2012 - March 2013) Department of Bio-inspired Science, Center for Biomimetic Systems, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea. Prof. Antony Llobet (ICIQ, Spain) and Prof. Wonwoo Nam (Korea) Group (Water Oxidation)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow: MEXT Fellow (Dec 2008-Mar 2012) Institute for Molecular Science, Okazaki, JAPAN. Prof. Koji Tanaka Group, Functional Coordination Chemistry (Functional mimic of NAD+/NADH model complexes and Water Oxidation)

Awards and Honors

OVERSEAS VISITING PROFESSORSHIP
  • Visiting Professor, KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, JAPAN, June-July 2026.
  • Visiting Professor, LUND UNIVERSITY, SWEDEN, May-June 2026.
  • Visiting Professor, LUND UNIVERSITY, SWEDEN, May-June 2025.
  • Visiting Professor, LUND UNIVERSITY, SWEDEN, June 2024.
  • Visiting Professor, EWHA WOMANS UNIVERSITY, South Korea, Dec 2023.
  • Visiting Professor, LUND UNIVERSITY, SWEDEN, May-June 2023.
EDITORIAL ROLES
  • Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC): Guest Editor for the RSC Themed Collection titled “Centenary of IIT(ISM): Innovative Molecular, Catalytic and Polymeric Materials for a Sustainable Future”, covering the journals: Green Chemistry; Dalton Transactions; Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP); Catalysis Science & Technology; Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry; Sustainable Energy and Fuels; and Journal of Materials Chemistry C.
  • Wiley-VCH: Guest Editor for the Special Issue commemorating the 100-year celebration of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad in Chemistry – An Asian Journal, physica status solidi (RRL) – Rapid Research Letters (pss RRL) and Annalen der Physik (AdP).
  • Editorial Board Member. Journal of Chemical Reactions and Catalysis Research (JCRC) 2024-Continue
DISTINCTION
  • International Travel Support (ITS) by SERB(DST)
  • Biography included in the 10th Anniversary Edition (2007) of Who's Who in Science and Engineering.
  • Best Graduate of the year 2002 (Honored by Honorable Chief Minister of Odisha).
FELLOWSHIPS
  • World Class University (WCU) Program Postdoctoral Fellowship 2012-2013.
  • MEXT Postdoctoral Fellowship (IMS, JAPAN) 2008-2012.
SCHOLARSHIPS
  • Dr. Radhanath Rath Memorial Scholarship (2001-2003).
  • National Merit Scholarship (2002).
  • Dr. Radhanath Rath Memorial Scholarship (1999-2000).

Publications

Books Published

List Of Research Publications (only in Peer-reviewed Journals)

Featured Journal Covers:

  1. Padhi, S. K.*, etal. Chem. Commun., 2026, 62, 5991 - 5991. Inside Back Cover
  2. Padhi, S. K.*, et al. Back Cover: Dalton. Trans., 2026, 55, 7415-7416. Back Cover
  3. Padhi, S. K.*, et al. Back Cover: Dalton. Trans., 2025, 54, 16993-16994.  Back Cover
  4. Padhi, S. K.*, etal. Catal. Sci. Technol., 2025, 15, 7251. Inside Back Cover
  5. Padhi, S. K.*, et al. Inside Back Cover: Dalton. Trans., 2025, 54, 14227-14227. Inside Back Cover
  6. Mishra. A., Makhal, K.; Raj, D.; Pasupalak, S.; Mallik, B. S.*; Nordlander, E.* and Padhi, S. K.* Front Cover: Hydrogenation of CO2 to Methanol by a Nickel Pincer Catalyst and Mechanistic Investigations by DFT Studies, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2025, 28(21), e70000. Front Cover
  7. Akhter, S. Sk.; Srivastava, D.; Mishra, A.; Patra, N.; Kumar, P.; Padhi, S. K.*, Cover Feature: Physicochemical Analysis of Cu(II)-Driven Electrochemical CO2 Reduction and its Competition with Proton Reduction. Chem. Eur. J. 2024, 30, e202487004. Cover Feature

PUBLICATIONS:

  1. Natarajan M, T. and Padhi, S. K.* Hydride-Mediated Ammonia Borane Dehydrogenation in Water by Arene-Ru(II) Catalysts Revealed through Real-Time Gas Evolution, Chem. Commun., 2026, 62, 5880 - 5884.   Inside Back Cover
  2. Natarajan M, T.; Teja, D.; Akhter, S. Sk.; Bhardwaj, P.; Kumar, P.; Mallik, B. S. and Padhi, S. K.* Electrocatalytic Ammonia Oxidation Mediated by a  Cu(II) Complex: A Hydrazine Pathway to Hydrogen Generation, Dalton. Trans., 2026, 55,  7111-7126.  Back Cover
  3. Pradhan, A.; Natarajan, M. T.; Rana, R.; Pradhan, T. K.; Padhi, S. K.; and Samal, S. L.* Iodine Incorporated Direct Band Gap Materials for Enhanced Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution: Role of Structural Distortion and Weak Metal Halide Bond, Dalton. Trans., 2026, XX, XXX–XXX.
  4. Chinnasamy, P.; Tamilarasan, S.; Sahoo, M.; Padhi, S. K. and Thangavelu, S.* Hierarchical Polymorphic Nickel-Tin Sulfides/MWCNT for Permselective Electroreduction of CO2 to Formate: RRDE-Assisted Product Validation, ACS Appl. Energy Mater., 2026, 9(13), 8525–8538.
  5. Akhter, S. Sk.;  Makhal, K.; Raj, D.; Raj, M.; Natarajan M, T.; Mallik, B. S.; Bhardwaj, P.; Kumar, P.; Nordlander, E. and Padhi, S. K.* Selective Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to CO by a Co(II) Dimer Catalyst by Metal-Ligand Cooperativity, Dalton. Trans., 2025, 54, 16682-16696.  Back Cover HOT Article 
  6. Akhter, S. Sk.;  Makhal, K.; Raj, D.; Natarajan M, T.; Jaiswal, P. K.; Biswas, A.; Mallik, B. S.; Kumar, P. and Padhi, S. K.* Manoeuvring Organo-electrocatalytic Selective CO2 Reduction to CO by Terpyridine Derivatives , Catal. Sci. Technol., 2025, 15, 7043-7058. Inside Back Cover
  7. Raj, D.;  Makhal, K.; Raj, M.; Mishra, A.; Mahapatra, R.; Pattnaik, T.; Mallik, B. S.;  and Padhi, S. K.* Electrochemical water oxidation using single-site Cu(II) molecular complexes: A mechanism elucidated by computational studies, Dalton. Trans., 2025, 54, 13894-13908. HOT Article Inside Back Cover
  8. Mishra, A.; Makhal, K.; Raj, D.; Pasupalak, S.; Mallik, B. S.*; Nordlander, E.* and Padhi, S. K.* Hydrogenation of CO2 to Methanol by a Nickel Pincer Catalyst and Mechanistic Investigations by DFT Studies, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2025, 28, e202500138.  Front Cover
  9. Raj, M.; and Padhi, S. K.* Decoding the Catalytic Potential of Dinuclear 1st-Row Transition Metal Complexes for Proton Reduction and Water Oxidation, Chem. Rec. 2025, 25, e202400170. (Invited Article for the special issue on "Catalytic Transformation of Small Molecules")
  10. Akhter, S. Sk.; Srivastava, D.; Mishra, A.; Patra, N.; Kumar, P.; Padhi, S. K.*, Physicochemical Analysis of Cu(II)-Driven Electrochemical CO2 Reduction and its Competition with Proton Reduction. Chem. Eur. J. 2024, 30, e202403321. Cover Feature
  11. Mishra. A., and Padhi, S. K.* Harnessing Ruthenium and Copper Catalysts for Formate Dehydrogenase Reactions, Chem. Rec. 2024, 24, e202400172. (Invited Article for the special issue on "Catalytic Transformation of Small Molecules")
  12. Mishra, A.; Srivastav, D; Raj, D.; Patra, N. and Padhi, S. K.*, Formate Dehydrogenase Activity by a Cu(II)-based Molecular Catalyst and Deciphering the Mechanism by DFT studies, Dalton. Trans., 2024, 53, 1209-1220. 
  13. Maity, N.; Mishra, A.; Mishra, A.; Barman, S.; Padhi, S. K., Panda, B. B., Jaseer, E. A.; and Javid, M., Tuning Pd to Ag ratio to enhance synergistic activity of fly ash supported PdxAgy bimetallic nanoparticles, ACS Omega., 2024, 9, 1020-1028.
  14. Raj, M.; Makhal, K; Raj, D.; Mishra, A.;  Mallik, B. S. and Padhi, S. K.* Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by a Dinuclear Copper Complex and Mechanistic Elucidation through DFT Studies, Dalton Trans., 2023, 52,17797-17809.
  15. Raj, M.; Makhal, K; Mishra, A.;  Mallik, B. S. and Padhi, S. K.* Ligand-mediated Hydrogen Evolution by Co(II) Complexes and Assessment of the Mechanism by Computational Studies,  Inorg. Chem., 2023, 62, 10993-11008.
  16. Vatsa, A.; Mishra, A. and Padhi, S. K.* Monitoring of Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Formic acid by a Ruthenium (II) complex through Manometry, Inorg. Chem. Commun., 2022, 144, 109898.
  17. Vatsa, A. and Padhi, S. K.* Formic Acid Dehydrogenation by [Ru(η6-benzene)(L)Cl] catalysts: L = 2-methylquinolin-8-olate and quinolin-8-olate,  New J. Chem., 2022, 46, 15723 - 15731.
  18. Raj, M. and Padhi, S. K.*, Water Oxidation by a Neoteric Dinuclear Mn(II) Electrocatalyst in Aqueous Medium, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2022, 2022(21), e202200238.
  19. Akhter, S. Sk.; and Padhi, S. K.*, Electro-catalytic CO2  reduction to Syngas and HCOOH by Homogeneous FcNAP2, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2022, 2022(20), e202200206.
  20. Raj, M. and Padhi, S. K.*, Electrocatalytic proton reduction by dinuclear cobalt complexes in nonaqueous electrolyte, New J. Chem., 2022, 46, 6027- 6038. 
  21. Raj, D. and Padhi, S. K.* The sporadic μ-pyridine bridge in transition metal complexes: A real bond or an interaction?, Coord. Chem. Rev. , 2022, 450, 214238.
  22. Rai, S.; Akhter, S. Sk.; and Padhi, S. K.* Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution by molecular Cu (II) catalysts, Polyhedron, 2021, 208, 115425.
  23. Vatsa, A. and Padhi, S. K.* Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid by a RuII Half Sandwich Catalyst ,  ChemistrySelect 2021, 6 (35), 9447-9452.
  24. Vatsa, A. and Padhi, S. K.* Catalytic Water Oxidation by a RuII Half Sandwich Complex, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2021, 2021(34), 3499-3505. Highlighted in ChemViews Magazine
  25. Rai, S.; and Padhi, S. K.* Effectual electrocatalytic proton and water reduction by CuII terpyridine scaffolds, Electrochim. Acta, 2020, 364, 137277. 
  26. Majee, K.; Rai, S.; Panda, B. and Padhi, S. K.*, A flexible homoleptic pentadentate Cu(II) molecular catalyst for effective proton and water reduction, Electrochim. Acta, 2020, 354, 136614. 
  27. Padhi, S. K.*; Ahmad, E.; Rai, S.; Panda, B. Kinetics and Mechanistic study of Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by [Co(Fc-tpy)2]2+, Polyhedron, 2020, 187, 114677. (Selected for Cover page)
  28. Padhi, S. K.*; Rai, S.; Akhter, S. Sk.; Redox induced structural switching through sporadic pyridine bridged CoIICoII dimer and electrocatalytic proton reduction, Inorg. Chem. 2020, 59, 7810-7821. 
  29. Padhi, S. K.*, Ahmad, E.; Rai, S., Kinetics and the Potential Well in Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution by [Co(4-tolyl-tpy)2]2+, Electrochim. Acta, 2020, 340, 136000.
  30. Vatsa, A. and Padhi, S. K.* Catalytic Water Oxidation by a Single Site [Ru(Fc-tpy)(bpy)OH2]2+ Complex and it's Mechanistic Study, Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2020, 504, 119444. (Invited Article in Special issue for 60th Birthday of Prof. G. K. Lahiri)
  31. Ahmad, E.; Rai, S.; and Padhi, S. K.*, Proton Reduction by a Ni(II) Catalyst and Foot-of-the Wave Analysis for H2 evolution, Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, 2019, 44, 16467-16477. 
  32. Majee, K. and Padhi, S. K.*, Ligand Dechelation effect on a [Co(tpy)2]2+ Scaffold towards Electro-catalytic Proton and Water Reduction, New J. Chem., 2019, 43, 3856-3865. 
  33. Raj, M. and Padhi, S. K.* Synthesis, Characterization and Structure of Quinoline based Benzimidazole Derivatives, J. Heterocycl. Chem., 2019, 56, 988-997. 
  34. Rai, S.; Majee, K.; Raj, M.; Pahari, A.; Patel, J.; and Padhi, S. K.* Electrocatalytic Proton and Water Reduction by a Co(III) Polypyridyl Complex , Polyhedron, 2019, 159, 127-134.  (Selected for Cover page)
  35. Chandra, S.; Majee, K.; Mahto, T. K.; Padhi, S. K.; Sahu. S. K.* Fabrication of a Hierarchical TiO2 microsphere/Carbon dots photocatalyst for oxygen evolution and dye degradation under Visible Light, J.Nanosci. Nanotechnol., 2018, 18(2), 1057-1065.  
  36. Majee, K.; Patel, J.; Das, B.; and Padhi, S. K.*, μ-Pyridine bridged Copper Complex with Robust Proton Reducing Ability, Dalton Trans., 2017, 46, 14869-14879. 
  37. Ahmad, E.; Majee, K.; Patel, J.; Das, B.; and Padhi, S. K.*, Competent Electro- and Photo-Catalytic Proton Reduction by a [Co(Tpy)2]2+ Scaffold, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2017, 2017, 3409-3418. 
  38. Patel, J.; Majee, K.; Raj, M.; Vatsa, A.; Rai, S.; and Padhi, S. K.* Effect of Quinoline Substitution on Water Oxidation by [Ru(Ql-tpy)(bpy)(OH2)](PF6)2 Catalyst, ChemistrySelect., 2017, 2, 3053-3059.
  39. Patel, J.; Majee, K.; Ahmad, E.; Vatsa, A.; Das, B.; and Padhi, S. K.* Electronic Effect on Catalytic Water Oxidation by Single Site [Ru(QCl-tpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ Catalyst, ChemistrySelect., 2017, 2, 123-129.
  40. Patel, J.; Majee, K.; Ahmad, E.; Das, B.; and Padhi, S. K.*, Effect of Pyridyl substitution on Chemical and Photochemical Water Oxidation by [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ Scaffolds, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2017, 2017, 160-171.
  41. Majee, K.; Patel, J.; Rai, S.; Das, B.; Panda, B.; and Padhi, S. K.*, Proton Reduction by a Nickel Complex with Internal Quinoline Moiety for Proton Relay, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 21640 - 21650.
  42. Patel, J.; Majee, K.; and Padhi, S. K.* [RuV(NCN-Me)(bpy)(=O)]3+ Mediated Efficient Photo-driven Water Oxidation, RSC Advances, 2016, 6, 61959-61965.
  43. Patel, J.; Majee, K.; Ahmad, E.; Tanaka, K.;* and Padhi, S. K.*, [RuV(NCN-Me)(bpy)(=O)]3+ Mediates Efficient C-H bond Oxidation from NADH Analogs in Aqueous Media rather than Water Oxidation, Dalton Trans., 2015, 44 (3), 920 - 923.
  44. Padhi, S. K.; Fukuda, R.; Ehara, M.; Tanaka, K. A Comparative Study of C^N and N^C type Cyclometalated Ruthenium Complexes with an NAD+/NADH Function, Inorg. Chem., 2012, 51(15), 8091-8102.
  45. Padhi, S. K.; Fukuda, R.; Ehara, M.; Tanaka, K., Photo-isomerization and Proton-coupled Electron Transfer (PCET) in Mononuclear Cyclometalated Ruthenium Based Water Oxidation Catalysts (WOCs), Inorg. Chem. 2012, 51(9), 5386-5392.
  46. Padhi, S. K.; Tanaka, K. Photo- and Electrochemical Redox Behavior of Cyclometalated Ru(II) Complexes having 3-Phenylbenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridine Ligand, Inorg. Chem. 2011, 50(21), 10718-10723.
  47. Padhi, S. K.; Kobayashi, K.; Masuno, S.; Tanaka, K. Proton-Induced Dynamic Equilibrium between Cyclometalated Ruthenium rNHC (Remote N-Heterocyclic Carbene) Tautomers with an NAD+/NADH Function, Inorg. Chem. 2011, 50(12), 5321-5323.
  48. Padhi, S. K.; Sahu, R., Saha, D.; Manivannan, V. Protonated 4'-(2-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine and its Fe(II) bischelates: Syntheses and molecular structures, Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2011, 372, 383-388.
  49. Sahu, R.; Padhi, S. K.; Jena, H.S.; Manivannan, V. Erratum: Conversion of 2-(aminomethyl) substituted pyridine and quinoline to their dicarbonyldiimides using copper(II) acetate (Inorganica Chimica Acta 363 (2010) 1448-1454),Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2011, 377, 188.
  50. Padhi, S. K.; Sahu, R.; Manivannan, V. Syntheses and structures of cobalt(III) alcoholate complexes formed by addition of a water molecule across 2-pyridyl substituted imine function, Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2011, 367, 57-63.
  51. Sahu, R.; Padhi, S. K.; Jena, H.S.; Manivannan, V. Conversion of 2-(aminomethyl) substituted pyridine and quinoline to their dicarbonyldiimides using copper(II) acetate, Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2010, 363, 1448-1454.
  52. Padhi, S. K.; Sahu, R.; Manivannan, V. Water-Chloride 2D-Network in 4'-(2-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine Bis-chelates of M(II) {M = Fe, Ni, Ru}, Polyhedron, 2010, 29, 709-714.
  53. Padhi, S. K.*; Sahu, R. Co(II/III) coordinated pyridine alcoholate ligand generated through metal assisted nucleophilic addition to a C=O function: Temperature dependent synthesis of a mononuclear complex and a neutral cubane cluster, Polyhedron, 2008, 27, 2662-2666.
  54. Padhi, S. K.; Sahu, R.; Manivannan, V., Ni(II) complexes of 4'-(2-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine: Structure of mono- and bis-chelates containing anion....p interactions, Polyhedron, 2008, 27, 2221-2225.
  55. Padhi, S. K.; Saha, D.; Sahu, R., Subramanian, J.; Manivannan, V. Synthesis, structure, optical and magnetic properties of [CrLX3], {L=4'-(2-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine; X = Cl-, N3-, NCS-}, Polyhedron, 2008, 27, 1714-1720. 
  56. Padhi, S. K.; Sahu, R.; Manivannan, V. Synthesis, structure, thermal studies on Zn(II), Cd(II) complexes of N-(2-pyridylmethyl)pyridine-2-carbaldimine and N-(2-pyridylmethyl)pyridine-2-methylketimine, Polyhedron, 2008, 27, 805-811.
  57. Padhi, S. K. and Manivannan, V. Synthesis, structural, spectral and thermal investigation of [ML(NO3)2]: M = Co, Ni, Cu; L = N-(2-pyridylethyl)pyridine-2-methylketimine, Polyhedron, 2007, 26, 3092-3096. 
  58. Padhi, S. K.; Manivannan, V. Synthesis, structure and properties of [ML(NO3)2]: M = Co, Ni, Cu; L = N-(2-pyridylethyl)pyridine-2-carbaldimine, Polyhedron, 2007, 26, 1619-1624.
  59. Padhi, S. K.* Solid-state kinetics of thermal release of pyridine and morphological study of [Ni(ampy)2(NO3)2]; ampy = 2-picolylamine, Thermochim. Acta, 2006, 448, 1-6.
  60. Padhi, S. K.; Manivannan, V. Cu(NO3)2.3H2O-mediated synthesis of 4'-(2-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (L2) from N-(2-pyridylmethyl)pyridine-2-methylketimine (L1). A C-C bond-forming reaction and the structure of {[Cu(L2)(OH)(NO3)][Cu(L2)(NO3)2]}.2H2O, Inorg. Chem. 2006, 45, 7994-7996. 

 

Papers in conference abstract volumes / presented

Invited Talks
  • Earth-Abundant Cobalt and Copper Molecular Catalysts for CO2-to-CO Electrocatalysis, 9th June 2026, University of Paris, Saclay, France
  • Evolution of Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer (PCET): From Coordination Chemistry to CO2 Reduction, 26 September 2025, International Seminar on “Current Advances in Optical Spectroscopy and its Applications” (CAOSA – 2025), P. G. Department of Chemistry, Stewart Science College, Cuttack.
  • Homogeneous Catalysis in Action: Enabling CO₂ Conversion and HCOOH Dehydrogenation, 1st August 2025, Refresher Course under MMTTP, Department of Physics, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad.
  • CO₂ and HCOOH as Strategic Intermediates in the Renewable Chemical Economy, 1st August 2025, Refresher Course under MMTTP, Department of Physics, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad.
  • Proton vs. CO2: Understanding the selectivity switch between Cu(II) and Co(II) catalyzed Electroreduction, 12th June 2025, Department of Chemistry, LUND University, SWEDEN.
  • Understanding Cu(II)-driven CO2 Electroreduction: Competition and Synergy with Proton Reduction, 2nd June 2025, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, DENMARK.
  • Electrochemical CO2 Reduction vs. Proton Reduction: A Competitive Analysis, 19th to 20th Mar 2025, Gene Regulation to Clean Energy; Role of Fundamental Sciences, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India.
  • Evaluating Cu(II)-Catalyzed Electrochemical CO2 Reduction: Insights into Proton Reduction Interference, 13th to 17th Dec 2024, MTIC-XXI, IIT Kharagpur, India.
  • Homogeneous Catalysts in activating HCOOH and CO2, 26th June 2024, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense, Denmark
  • Molecular Catalysis Towards Energy through Small Molecule Activation: Highlights and Challenges? 27th Dec 2023, EWHA WOMANS UNIVERSITY, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA.
  • Invited lecture on "H2O, HCOOH, and CO2 utilization as future prospects", on 28th July 2023, at the Department of Chemistry, Berhampur University, Odisha (Faculty development programme: Online Mode).
  • Invited lecture on "Half Sandwich and Sandwich Type Molecular Catalysts towards small molecule activation: The Pros & Cons", on 1st June. 2023, Department of Chemical Physics, LUND University, SWEDEN.
  • Invited lecture on "Sandwiched and Half-sandwiched catalysts in Energy Conservation" in MTIC XIX, 15-17th Dec. 2022, BHU.
  • Invited lecture on "Electro- & photo-catalytic activity for H2 evolution by polypyridyl copper complexes" in MTIC XVIII, 11-14th Dec. 2019, IIT Guwahati..
  • Plenary lecture on Electro-catalytic activity for H2 evolution by a polypyridyl copper complex, 10th International Conference on Photosynthesis and Hydrogen Energy Research for Sustainability - 2019 (ICPRS 2019), During 22nd -28th JUNE, 2019 at St. Petersburg, RUSSIA.
  • Electro- and Photo-catalytic Proton Reduction by a µ-pyridine bridged Copper Complex, AMEEA2018, During 12-14th December, 2018 at NIT Rourkela.
  • An introduction to Pourbaix Diagram, Refresher Programme In Chemistry Under FDC During 8 -28th JUNE, 2018 at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
  • Effect of Pendant Base on Catalytic Proton Reduction. 67th JSCC at Hokkaido University(JAPAN), 17th September 2017.
  • M.Sc. Course Coordinator, Department of Chemistry (2014-2017).
  • Beyond VSEPR Theory: Molecular Orbital Theory & Crystal Field Theory. DPS Bokaro, 28th November 2015. An Introduction to Symmetry and Group Theory. Department of Applied Physics, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, 12th November 2015.
  • An Approach towards Artificial Photosynthesis by Ru(II) Complexes having (NAD+/NADH) Model Ligands. At IIT Patna, 13th August 2012.
  • Proton Induced Dynamic Equilibrium between Cyclometalated Ru(II) and rNHC (remote N-Heterocyclic Carbene) Ru(IV) Tautomers with an NAD+/NADH Function in Okayama University of Science, JAPAN (61st CCCO), 2011.
  • Redox Behavior of a Cyclometallated Ru(II) Complex Having NAD+/NADH Model Analogue. At 60th Anniversary Conference on Coordination Chemistry in OSAKA, JAPAN (60th CCCO), 27-30th September 2010.
  • An Approach towards the Catalytic Reduction of CO2 to Methanol by Ru(II) Complexes having (NAD+/NADH) Model Ligands. At IIT Kharagpur, 10th February 2010.
  • An Investigation on Metal assisted Transformations in Schiff Bases Containing Pyridyl Groups. IIT Madras MTIC-XII 6-8th December, 2007.

 

Patents

PATENTS:
  1. Mishra, A.; and Padhi, S. K.*, A process for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2) to methanol.Indian Patent Application no. 202431048508, Filed on 25th June 2024.(Status: Published)
  2. Roy, T.; Natarajan M, T.; Jana, S.; and Padhi, S. K. Das, P., A Fluoro-Bridged Mixed Valence Dinuclear Copper Complex: Synthesis, Characterization, and Use in the oxidation reactions Patent Application no. 202531111630, Filed on 14th Nov 2025 (Status: GRANTED). 
  3. Natarajan, T.; and Padhi, S. K.*, A catalyst for green hydrogen generation, a process for the Preparation thereof and the use thereof for green hydrogen generation from ammonia. Indian Patent Application no. 202431070872, Patent Number: 572777, Filed on 19th Sept. 2024. (Status: GRANTED)
  4. Mishra, A.; and Padhi, S. K.*, A process for the preparation of methanol by the hydrogenation of bicarbonate and carbon dioxide (CO2) captured from air. Indian Patent Application no. 202431048509, Patent Number: 569239, Filed on 25th June 2024. (Status: GRANTED)
  5. Tanaka, K.; Padhi, S. K.  Ruthenium complexes, and their use for preparation of reduced compounds of organic compounds.Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho (2011), JP 2011246412 A, 08 Dec 2011. (Status: GRANTED)

Projects & Activities

Sponsored Research Projects (External Funded)

ONGOING AND COMPLETED
  • JST LOTUS: Japan-India collaborative Research Grant April 2026-2027 April.
  • OVERSEAS GRANT: (Mobility Grants for Internationalisation: India): Electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic reduction of protons or carbon dioxide, STINT, INDIA Initiation Grant, SWEDEN, Oct 2024-2027 Oct.
  • OVERSEAS GRANT: Electrocatalytic proton and carbon dioxide reduction, STINT, INDIA Initiation Grant, SWEDEN, 2023-2024.
  • Development of molecular catalysts for CO2 reduction, Water oxidation and reduction , Funding Agency, CSIR (EMR), 2021-2024.
  • Synthesis and Catalytic Investigation towards H2 evolution by 1st Row Transition Metal based Molecular Catalysts, Funding Agency, DST, SERB (EMR), 2017-2020.
  • Synthesis and Catalytic Proton Reduction Activities of BPI (BPI = Bis(pyridylimino)isoindoline) Transition Metal Complexes, Funding Agency, TEQIP-III, 2018-2020.
  • Kinetics and Mechanistic Approach towards Water Splitting by Ruthenium Complexes having Polypyridyl Ligands, Funding Agency, DST, SERB, 2014-2017.
  • Synthesis and Functionalities of Metal Complexes having NAD+/NADH Model ligands, Funding Agency, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, 2013-2016.

Consultancy Project

Outreach Programmes Conducted
  • Symposium Coordinator: Recent Advances on Materials for Sustainable Energy (RAMSE-2025), Theme: Small Molecule Activation, To be Organized by the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, On 13 December 2025. RAMSE 2025
  • Conference Coordinator: National Conference on Recent Advances on Materials for Sustainable Energy (RAMSE-2018), organized by the Department of Chemistry, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, 3–5 March 2018. RAMSE 2018
  • Treasurer: 1st Annual Workshop on Catalysis, organized by the Department of Chemistry, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, 6–9 March 2017.
  • Coordinator: Two-Day Seminar of the IIT(ISM) Chemical Society, 7–8 March 2016.
  • International Travel Grant (ITS) by SERB for Hokkaido University, JAPAN, 16-18 Sept 2017.
  • Coordinator: Workshop on Single Crystal X-ray Crystallography. 11 Dec 2015

Membership of Scientific Societies

Abroad
  • Member of Japan Society of Coordination Chemistry (2009 Onwards).
  • Member American Chemical Society, (2017 Onwards).
INDIA
  • Life time member Chemical Research Society (INDIA), (2020 Onwards).
  • Patron Member Odisha Chemical Society, (2018 Onwards).
  • Life time member Indian Council of Chemists (2014 Onwards)

Other Academic and Administrative Activities

EXTERNAL
  • International Expert and Member, Ph.D. Thesis Evaluation Committee, Lund University, Sweden
  • External Ph.D. Thesis Examiner for IIT Madras, IISER Tirupati, NERIST, NEIST, Tezpur University, and other institutions
  • Expert Member, CSIR Research Fellow Evaluation Committees (IIT Hyderabad, CSIR–CIMFR, NIT Rourkela, and other institutions)
  • External Subject Expert for Guest Faculty Selection, Government College of Engineering, Kalahandi, Odisha
  • Reviewer for journals published by ACS, RSC, Wiley, Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Taylor & Francis
INSTITUTE LEVEL
  • Professor-in-Charge, Central Library, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad (July 2026–Present)
  • Head, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (January 2026–June 2026)
  • Alumni Coordinator, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (June 2024–January 2026)
  • Warden, JASPER Hostel (July 2020–July 2022)
  • Member, Dean's Advisory Council (Academic) (2019–2020)
  • Member, Training & Placement Cell (2016–2017)
  • Member, International Relations & Alumni Affairs (IRAA) (2014–2018)
  • Faculty Coordinator, CONCETTO (2014–2017)
DEPARTMENT LEVEL
  • Chairman, Department Faculty Selection Committee (DFSC), Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (January 2026–Jun 2026)
  • DFSC Member, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Nov 2024-Continue.
  • Coordinator, BS–MS Programme, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (June 2024–Present)
  • Member, Department Faculty Selection Committee (DFSC), Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (November 2024–Continue)
  • Training & Placement In-charge, Department of Chemistry (2017–Present)
  • Convenor, IIT (ISM) Chemical Society (2015–Present)
  • Member, Department Undergraduate Committee (DUGC), Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (October 2022–October 2024)
  • Convenor & Chairman, Moderation Board for Postgraduate Programmes, Department of Chemistry (2016–2018)
  • Coordinator & Member, Board of Courses and Studies, Department of Chemistry (2015)
  • M.Sc. Course Coordinator, Department of Chemistry (2014–2017)
  • Seminar In-charge, Department of Chemistry (2014–2017)

Guidance

Ongoing/Completed PhD and M.Sc./M.Phil. Students:

 

ARTIFICIAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS GROUP 2025

Continuing PhD Students:

  1.   Mr. Dev Raj, Joined in the group (2019-July)
  2.   Mr. Thillai Natarajan M (2022 August)/JST LOTUS Fellow in Kyushu University, JAPAN
  3.   Ms. Madhusmita Sahoo (2023 August)
  4.   Ms. Palak Jaiswal (2023 Dec)
  5.   Ms. Prativa Patra (2025 July)
  6.   Ms. Kajal Gangwar (2025 July)

Continuing MSc Students:

  1. Ms. Mahima Giri
  2. Ms. Krushnapriya Mahanta                                
  3. Mr. Satyabrata Patra

List of Postdoc Students Supervised: 01

  1. Dr. Topi Ghosh (Feb 2024-Jan 2025); PhD (IIT Indore), MSc (IIT Hyderabad), Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

List of PhD Students Awarded: 08

Sl. No.

Name of the student

Thesis Title

Year of Completion

Role

Present status of the Students

1

Dr. Aman Mishra

Admission Number: 2017DR0408

First-row transition metal complex-assisted CO2 hydrogenation and HCOOH dehydrogenation

Aug 2024

Guide

Postdoc, LUND University, SWEDEN

2

Dr. Sk Samim Akhter

Admission Number: 2017DR0430

Homogeneous electro-catalytic reduction of CO2.

Aug 2024

Guide

Postdoc, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, South Korea

3

Dr. Manaswini Raj

Admission Number: 2015DR0156

Co, Cu and Mn-based molecular catalysts for electrocatalytic proton reduction and water oxidation

Oct 2022

Guide

Assistant Professor, Presidency University

4

Dr. Aditi Vatsa

Admission Number: 2015DR0080

Catalytic Water Oxidation and Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid by Ruthenium-based Molecular Catalysts

Dec 2021

Guide

R&D Chemist in SAM ENVIRO, Nasik

5

Dr. Surabhi Rai Admission Number: 2014DR0137

Proton and Water reduction by Cobalt and Copper based Molecular Catalysts

October 2020

Guide

Postdoctoral Felow, University of California, Davis, USA

6

Dr. Ejaz Ahmad Admission Number: 2013DR0216

Ligand dechelation effect on Proton reduction by Molecular Catalysts having mer-[M(Terpyridine)2]2+ Scaffolds: M = Co and Ni

March 2020

Guide

Assistant Professor, Jai Prakash University, BIHAR

7

Dr. Karunamay Majee

Admission Number: 2014DR0087

An Approach towards Proton Reduction by First row Transition Metal Complexes

Nov 2018

Guide

 Assistant professor, Galgotias University, INDIA

8

Dr. Jully Patel

Admission No. 2013DR0141

Molecular Catalytic Approach by Single-site Ruthenium(II)-Polypyridyl complexes towards Water Oxidation

March 2017

Guide

 Assistant Professor, Lebanon Valley College, Pennsylvania, USA

List of M.Phil. Students Awarded: 08

Sl. No.

Name of the student

Thesis Title

Year of Completion

Role

1

Mr. Sunil Kumar

“Mimicking of NAD+/NADH Model Function in Transition Metal Complexes”

2014

Guide

List of M.Sc. Students Awarded: 37

  1. Ms. Sabari Ghosh, 2014
  2. Ms. Sonam Kumari, 2014
  3. Mr. Rutesh Vallabhbhai Savalia, 2014
  4. Miss. Bipasa Samanta, 2015
  5. Mr. Pritam Gupta, 2015
  6. Mr. Mayanka Gupta, 2015
  7. Mr. Sudhir Kumar Pandey, 2016
  8. Miss. Sandhya Kumari, 2016
  9. Miss. Santa Mondal, 2016
  10. Ms. Sukanya Ghosh, 2017
  11. Mr. Motahar  Sk, 2017
  12. Mr. Souvik  Panja, 2017
  13. Ms. Banalata Maji, 2018
  14. Mr. Sourav Bhowmik, 2018
  15. Ms. Reha Panigrahi, 2019
  16. Ms. Rumika Oraon, 2019
  17. Mr. Rupak Chaterjee, 2020
  18. Mr. Rahul Kumbhakar, 2020
  19. Mr. Sudip Malborman, 2022
  20. Mr. Rudra Sarkar, 2022
  21. Mr. Kishore Sahoo, 2022
  22. Ms. Swarnasree Pasupalak, 2023
  23. Ms. Tanya Pattnaik, 2023
  24. Mr. Rohan Mahapatra, 2023
  25. Mr. Arun Biswas, 2023
  26. Ms. Sucheta Gorain, 2023
  27. Ms. Aditi Upadhyaya, 2023 (Intern)
  28. Mr. Ratik Das, 2024
  29. Ms. Riya Hazra, 2024
  30. Ms. Rupsa Pramanik, 2024
  31. Ms. Ashma Baxla, 2024
  32. Ms. Saachi Sood, 2025
  33. Mr. Milan Mishra Subudhi, 2025
  34. Ms. Ishika Singha, 2025
  35. Mr. Jyoti Prakash Behera
  36. Mr. Satyajit Tripathy
  37. Mr. Gopal Tudu
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