With a particular emphasis on base metals, the research group of Prof. Akshai Kumar investigates the pincer-base-metal chemistry and their role in catalyzing C-H activation/functionalization mediated C-C bond formation of alcohols via radical/organometallic pathways that ultimately lead to synthesis of green hydrogen, high value fuels and specialty chemicals starting from waste under thermo- and electrochemical conditions. This includes conversion of unproductive hydrocarbons to fuel-grade chemicals, upgrading low-energy density ethanol to high-energy density fuels and generation of green hydrogen via transformation of inexpensive glycerol, ethanol and methanol to high value lactic acid, acetic acid and formic acid respectively. Currently, research on development of novel catalytic system towards generation of green hydrogen from water is underway. Attempts are also being pursued to develop powerful catalytic systems under photochemical and/or electrochemical conditions to fabricate Direct Alcohol fuel-cell (DAFC) stacks containing non-noble, environmentally benign electrode assemblies built using state-of-art technologies capable of meeting futuristic low-power and high-power energy demands.
Department of Chemistry, IIT Guwahati
+91-361-2583479 (O), +91-361-2583051 (O)
Email: akshaikumar@iitg.ac.in
Fax: +91-361-2582349
