Ewch i’r prif gynnwys
Sankar Meenakshisundaram

Dr Sankar Meenakshisundaram

Uwch Ddarlithydd mewn Cemeg Gorfforol

Ysgol Cemeg

Email
Sankar@caerdydd.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29208 75748
Campuses
Y Ganolfan Ymchwil Drosiadol, Llawr 3, Ystafell 3.16, Heol Maindy, Cathays, Caerdydd, CF24 4HQ
Users
Ar gael fel goruchwyliwr ôl-raddedig

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Links

Research Groups: Physical Chemistry and Cardiff Catalysis Institute

Research Interests

  • Developing strategies for the synthesis of supported monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles based catalysts
  • Catalyst development for CO2 utilization $acirc; synthesis of cyclic, dimethyl and poly carbonates.
  • Catalyst development for renewable feedstock valorisation (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin)
  • Mechanistic investigation of catalytic processes using kinetic and in-situ spectroscopic methods.

For more information, click on the 'Research' tab above.

 

Teaching

CH0001 Fundamental Aspects of Chemistry

Cyhoeddiad

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2006

2004

Articles

Book sections

Ymchwil

  • Developing strategies for the synthesis of supported monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles based catalysts
  • Catalyst development for CO2 utilization $acirc; synthesis of cyclic, dimethyl and poly carbonates.
  • Catalyst development for renewable feedstock valorisation (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin)
  • Mechanistic investigation of catalytic processes using kinetic and in-situ spectroscopic methods.

Catalyst Synthesis Strategies:

In this theme, we are interested in developing simple and effective strategies for the synthesis of supported monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles based catalysts for various organic transformations including selective oxidation, selective hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis and hydrogen auto transfer reactions. The challenge is to prepare these catalysts with precise control over the size, composition and nanostructure / shape by tuning the synthesis parameters. We design new methodologies by combining aspects of material science, nanotechnology and catalyst characterisation. In another part of this theme, we aim to design heterogeneous catalysts that are active, stable and selective for the above-mentioned organic transformations.

References:  

  1. Paalanen, et al.,  Catalysis Science & Technology, 3 (2013) 2869.
  2. Sankar et al., ACS Nano 6 (2012) 6600.
  3. Sankar et al., Chemistry: A European Journal. 17 (2011) 6524.

Renewable Feedstock:  

In this theme, we aim to develop catalytic systems (supported metal, mixed metal oxides, polyoxometalates, zeolites, inorganic-organic hybrid) for the valorisation of renewable materials such as CO2, lignocellulosic biomass components (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin). For the CO2 valorisation reactions, we aim to develop heterogeneous catalysts for the (a) synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO2, (b) transesterification of cyclic carbonates to prepare dimethyl carbonate and glycols and (c) synthesis of polycarbonates from epoxides and CO2.

 

Fig. 1.

Schematic representation of the synthesis of cyclic carbonates and dimethyl carbonate using CO2 as C-1 source

 

References:

  1. US Patent: 6,924,379, Indian Patent (Granted).
  2. Sankar et al., Applied Catalysis A: General 276 (2004) 217.
  3. Sankar et al., Applied Catalysis A: General 312 (2006) 108.
  4. Sankar et al., ChemSusChem 3 (2010) 575.

 

Mechanistic Investigation

 

In this theme, we use in-situ spectroscopic, kinetic methodologies to understand the mechanism of catalytic reactions (oxidation, hydrogenation and hydrogen auto transfer reactions). We use this information in the catalyst development program to design more active and selective catalysts. For example, we used EPR spectroscopic method to understand the reason behind the formation of nearly 99% of benzaldehyde during the catalytic selective aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol in spite of the fact that benzaldehyde readily oxidises to benzoic acid at room temperature in air. We found that traces of benzyl alcohol (substrate) inhibit the oxidation of benzaldehyde by selectively quenching the radicals (Figure below).

Fig. 1.

Proposed reaction scheme for benzaldehyde autoxidation and it$acirc; s inhibition by benzyl alcohol. Bold arrows indicate the main radical chain processes, while blue arrows represent the formation of the PBN-spin adducts II, III, IV and V. Key: In .: radical initiator

 

References:

  1. Sankar et al., Nature Communications, 5 (2014), 3332.
  2. Nowicka et al., Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 15 (2013) 12147.
  3. Meenakshisundaram et al., Faraday Discussions, 145 (2010) 341.

Addysgu

Arweinydd y Modiwl

CH5150 - Cyflwyniad i Gemeg Werdd a Chynaliadwy

 

Darlithydd

CH3411 - Deunyddiau Catalytig ar gyfer Cemeg Werdd

 

Modiwlau Ymarferol

CH5210 - Labordai Cemeg Bellach

 

Bywgraffiad

B. Sc. mewn Cemeg, Coleg Sant Xavier, Tirunelveli, India (1998), M.Sc. mewn Cemeg, Y Coleg Americanaidd, Madurai, India (2001), PhD mewn Catalysis Heterogenaidd, Labordy Cemegol Cenedlaethol, Pune, India (2007, Dr. P. Manikandan), Cydymaith Ymchwil Ôl-ddoethurol, Prifysgol Caerdydd, y DU (2007-2011, Yr Athro Graham J. Hutchings FRS), Marie-Curie Cymrawd Ymchwil Ryng-Ewropeaidd, Prifysgol Utrecht, Yr Iseldiroedd (2011-2013, Yr Athro B. M. Weckhuysen), Cymrawd Ymchwil y Brifysgol, Sefydliad Catalysis Caerdydd, Ysgol Cemeg Prifysgol Caerdydd (2014 - 2019), Darlithydd mewn Cemeg Ffisegol (2019 - 2023), Uwch Ddarlithydd (2023 - hyd y dyddiad) Sefydliad Catalysis Caerdydd, Ysgol Cemeg, Prifysgol Caerdydd . 

Anrhydeddau a gwobrau

  1. Cymrodoriaeth Ymchwil Iau ac Uwch (2002) gan y Cyngor Ymchwil Gwyddonol a Diwydiannol (CSIR), India ar gyfer Ymchwil PhD.
  2. Darlithyddiaeth (2001) gan y Cyngor Ymchwil Gwyddonol a Diwydiannol (CSIR), India.
  3. Cymrodoriaeth Ewropeaidd Marie Curie ar gyfer Datblygu Gyrfa (2011) gan yr Asiantaeth Ymchwil, FP-7.
  4. Cydymaith Ymchwil er Anrhydedd (2011-2014), Prifysgol Caerdydd, y DU.
  5. Cymrodoriaeth Ymchwil y Brifysgol (2014) gan Brifysgol Caerdydd, y DU.

Anrhydeddau a dyfarniadau

  1. Junior & Senior Research Fellowship (2002) by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India for PhD Research.
  2. Lectureship (2001) by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India.
  3. Marie Curie Intra European Fellowship for Career Development (2011) by the Research Executive Agency, FP-7.
  4. Honorary Research Associate (2011-2014), Cardiff University, UK.
  5. Chancellor's Research Fellowship (2014) by the Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, UK.

Meysydd goruchwyliaeth

I am interested in supervising PhD students in the areas of 

- Supported Metal Nanoparticles for Selective Organic Transformations (Oxidation, Hydrogenation).

- Heterogeneous Catalysts for CO2 conversion to value added products.

- Supported Single - Atom Catalysts for Selective Organic Transformations (Oxidation, Hydrogenation). 

- Fundamental Understanding of Catalyst Synthesis. 

- Catalytic Biomass Conversion.

Goruchwyliaeth gyfredol

Saleha Maashi Maashi

Saleha Maashi Maashi

Myfyriwr ymchwil

Chijuka Obayi

Chijuka Obayi

Myfyriwr ymchwil

Prosiectau'r gorffennol

Dr. Susana Guadix Montero (2014 - 2018)

https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/125611/

 

Claire Mitchell (2015 - 2019)

https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/133537/

 

Dr. Maha Alreshidi 

 

Dr. Heba Alsharif 

 

Ms. Kennedy Jones (cyflwynwyd)

 

Dr. Lifeng Xiao 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Themâu ymchwil

Arbenigeddau

  • catalysis heterogenaidd
  • Synthesis, nodweddu a chymhwyso catalyddion metel â chymorth
  • Catalysis a mecanweithiau adweithiau
  • Nanotechnoleg