Shafeeq Sarfudeen PhD

Dr. Shafeeq earned his PhD in Materials Chemistry from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, India, where he was awarded the prestigious CSIR–Senior Research Fellowship (CSIR-SRF). His doctoral research, titled “Design and Synthesis of Zeolite-like Metal–Organic Frameworks for Sensing and Energy-Related Applications,” focused on developing advanced porous materials for next-generation sensing and sustainable energy technologies.

Prior to his PhD, he completed his Master’s degree in General Chemistry with First Class distinction. His postgraduate thesis, “Localized Formation of Highly Surface-Active Gold Nanoparticles on Intrinsic Nickel-Containing Carbon Black and its Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy Interrogation and Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Hydrazine,” explored nanostructured electrocatalysts and advanced electrochemical characterization techniques.

He also holds a First Class Bachelor’s degree with Triple Honours in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore, India—reflecting his strong interdisciplinary foundation in the physical sciences.

Currently, Dr. Shafeeq is a member of the Multifunctional Materials & Composites Laboratory. His research centers on the nanoengineering of triboelectric energy generators using metal–organic framework (MOF) materials, aiming to advance efficient and sustainable energy harvesting technologies.

Pioneering Advanced Frameworks for Sustainable Innovation

My research leverages reticular synthesis to engineer next-generation porous materials including MOFs, ZIFs and ZTFs to address critical challenges in energy, environment, and healthcare applications.

Core Research Frontiers:

Energy Harvesting & Nano-Architectonics: Designing ultra-high performance Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs) by tuning and controlling framework materials at the nanoscale in polymer matrix to convert ambient mechanical motion into clean, and sustainable electricity.

Solid-Solution Engineering: Utilising mechanochemistry to create imidazole–tetrazole solid solutions. By fine-tuning these frameworks at the molecular level, I achieve superior efficiency in the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) for green hydrogen production.

Self-Powered Sensing: Crafting biomimetic nanozymes and multi-architectural MOFs for the autonomous detection of neurochemicals, explosives, and superoxide anions.

Next-Gen Electrocatalysis: Developing 2D ionic covalent organic frameworks and advancing hydroxide ion conduction to accelerate the transition to green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

Nanoengineering of Triboelectric Energy Generators Employing Metal-Organic Framework Materials : This project focus on the development and engineering of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials for advanced triboelectric energy generators (TEGs) to enhance energy harvesting capabilities

Awards:

• "Best Oral Presentation Award" in an International Conference of Advanced Functional Materials and Devices (AFMD-2024) in the symposia of "Energy Harnessing for Sustainable Future" held at SRM University, Chennai, India.
• "Best Poster Presentation Award" in the Scholarly Annual Sparks -2024, held at VIT Vellore, India.
• International Travel Scheme (ITS) grant from Department of Science and Technology (DST)- Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) for attending MOF-2024, in Suntec Convention Centre, Singapore. 

 Fellowship awarded:

• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)