Vinit Kumar

Research Scientist | Catalytic Materials & Environmental Remediation

Delhi, IN.

About

Highly ambitious and results-driven researcher with a Master's in Chemistry, specializing in advanced catalytic materials for environmental remediation and sustainable energy. Proven expertise in catalyst synthesis, kinetic analysis, and electrocatalytic systems, demonstrated through significant contributions to water splitting, nitrate reduction, and plastic upcycling projects. Eager to leverage deep theoretical understanding and practical reaction engineering skills to drive innovative research and development initiatives in a forward-thinking R&D environment.

Work

Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur

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Junior Research Fellow (JRF)

Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

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Summary

Led advanced research projects focused on developing novel electrocatalysts for sustainable energy and environmental applications, contributing to significant advancements in water splitting and green ammonia synthesis.

Highlights

Developed oxygen vacancy-rich Layered-Double Hydroxide (LDH) catalysts, achieving over 10,000 stable electrochemical CV cycles for enhanced performance in water splitting.

Reduced energy consumption by 1V in electrocatalytic processes, significantly improving efficiency and mitigating carbon oxidation reactions.

Scaled up electrocatalytic processes using a 25 cm² AEM Electrolyzer, achieving industrial-level current densities for practical application.

Designed and optimized transition metal-based catalysts, enabling selective nitrate reduction to green ammonia for sustainable wastewater treatment.

Investigated Zn-NO3 battery configurations, demonstrating potential for sustainable energy storage applications.

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi

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Master's Thesis Researcher

Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India

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Summary

Conducted in-depth research on the synthesis and characterization of advanced catalysts for plastic upcycling, contributing to sustainable waste management solutions.

Highlights

Synthesized and comprehensively characterized NiFe, CoFe, and ZnFe-LDH catalysts, optimizing their properties for efficient plastic upcycling.

Investigated the critical role of metal components in the glycolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles, enhancing understanding of reaction mechanisms.

Contributed to the development of novel catalytic approaches for converting waste plastics into value-added products.

Education

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi

Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
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Master of Science Chemistry Grade: CGPA: 7.69/10

Courses

Hydrogen Generation and Storage

Pericyclic Reactions

Chemistry of Main Group Elements

Group Theory & Spectroscopy

Chemical Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry

Computational Chemistry

Chemistry of Transition Elements

Ramjas College, University of Delhi

Delhi, Delhi, India
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Bachelor of Science Chemistry Grade: CGPA: 8.68/10

Courses

IT Skills for Chemists

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Green Methods in Chemistry

Novel Inorganic Solids

Industrial Chemicals and Environment

Central Board of Secondary Education

, , India
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High School Diploma Senior Secondary Education Grade: Grades: 93.6%

U.P. Board

, , India
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High School Diploma Matriculation Grade: Grades: 91%

Awards

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) Qualified

Government of India

Achieved qualification in GATE 2024, demonstrating strong aptitude in engineering and science disciplines relevant to postgraduate studies and research.

IIT JAM Qualified

Indian Institutes of Technology

Secured qualification in IIT JAM 2022, enabling admission to Master of Science programs at prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology.

Publications

Nanoarchitectonics of ZnFe-Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts for Valorization of Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottles into Value-Added Products

Macromolecular Rapid Communication, Wiley

Co-authored research on developing ZnFe-Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts for converting waste PET bottles into valuable products, contributing to sustainable waste management.

Boron Modified NiCoFe-LDH for Energy Saving Hydrogen Production Coupled with Sulfion Oxidation in Scalable AEM Seawater Electrolyzer

Under Review

Lead author on a manuscript under review, presenting novel Boron-modified NiCoFe-LDH catalysts for efficient hydrogen production and sulfion oxidation in scalable AEM seawater electrolyzers.

Effect of hydrodynamic boundary layer on OER-COR selectivity of MnO2 polymorphs using Rotating Ring Disk Electrode Voltammetry

Under Review

Co-authored a manuscript under review, investigating the impact of hydrodynamic boundary layers on OER-COR selectivity of MnO2 polymorphs using advanced electrochemical techniques.

Tailored Engineering of Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts for Biomass Valorization: A Way Towards Waste to Wealth

ChemSusChem, Wiley

Co-authored publication detailing the engineering of LDH catalysts for biomass valorization, presenting innovative methods for converting waste into valuable resources.

Material Engineering of Cuº/Cu+ Sites and Oxygen Vacancies for Efficient In-Situ Hydrodeoxygenation of Lignin-Based Compounds

ChemSusChem

Co-authored research on engineering copper sites and oxygen vacancies for efficient in-situ hydrodeoxygenation of lignin-based compounds, advancing sustainable chemical processes.

Languages

English

Hindi

Skills

Physical Characterization

XRD, XPS, TEM, FTIR, NMR, EPR, UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy.

Electrochemical Techniques

25cm² Zero Gap AEM Electrolyzer, RRDE, Cyclic Voltammetry, Chronoamperometry, Chronopotentiometry, Mott-Schottky Analysis, Bode & Nyquist Analysis.

Material Synthesis & Fabrication

Hydro/Solvothermal Synthesis, Co-precipitation Method, Electrode Fabrication, Catalytic Material Synthesis.

Software & Data Analysis

MS Office, ChemDraw, OriginPro, Avantage (XPS PeakFit), Gatan Digital Micrograph (TEM analysis).

Chemical Processes

CO2 Conversion, Operando Techniques.

Interests

Research Interests

Direct Seawater Electrolysis, High Entropy Oxides and Alloys, Organic Transformation Reactions.

References

Professor Venkata Krishnan

MSc Project Supervisor, IIT Mandi | vkn@iitmandi.ac.in | +91-9418425432

Dr Prashant Kumar Gupta

Project Investigator, IIT Jodhpur | guptapk@iitj.ac.in | +91-7839992187