https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/9544 2026-08-15T17:38:55Z 2026-08-15T17:38:55Z Baral, Suresh Chandra https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/18824 2026-07-22T15:25:56Z 2026-06-19T00:00:00Z

Title: Identifying and overcoming catalytic bottlenecks in CuO-based oxide systems for energy and environmental applications Authors: Baral, Suresh Chandra Abstract: This chapter introduces two interconnected global challenges: the growing demand for sustainable energy conversion and the persistent problem of environmental pollution arising from industrial effluents. It highlights the limitations of fossil-fuel–based technologies and conventional wastewater treatment methods, underscoring the need for advanced catalytic strategies that operate efficiently under mild, sustainable conditions. In this context, solar-driven photocatalysis and electrochemical energy conversion are discussed as promising approaches for pollutant degradation and renewable energy technologies. This chapter outlines the experimental procedures employed for the synthesis, processing, and characterization of CuO-based materials investigated in this thesis. Emphasis is placed on reproducibility, compositional control, and scalability of the adopted synthesis routes. Pristine and transition-metal-doped CuO materials were synthesized using sol–gel and hydrothermal methods under carefully controlled conditions. This chapter investigates the synthesis, physicochemical properties, and photocatalytic performance of aliovalent Al3+-doped CuO as a visible-light-active catalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants. A controlled series of Cu1-xAlx O1+δ compositions was synthesized using a scalable sol–gel method to systematically examine how non-redox Al3+ substitution modulates the electronic structure, defect chemistry, and surface reactivity of CuO. In Chapter 3, Al3+-substituted CuO photocatalysts exhibited enhanced photo-Fenton-like degradation of organic pollutants under low-power illumination, where reaction temperature emerged as an influential but coupled parameter alongside dopant-induced electronic effects. To isolate and clarify the intrinsic role of temperature on photocatalytic kinetics, the present chapter focuses on undoped, morphology-engineered CuO nanosheets as a simplified model system. Building upon the temperature-dependent photo-Fenton-like degradation behaviour of pure CuO nanosheets (Chapter 4) and the defect-engineering framework established for Al3+-substituted CuO (Chapter 3), this chapter investigates the role of redox-active Fe3+ substitution in modulating the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

2026-06-19T00:00:00Z Singh, Kamaljeet https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/18769 2026-07-18T10:24:08Z 2026-06-19T00:00:00Z

Title: Thermoelectric transport phenomena in magnetized QCD matter and study of Φ(1020) meson production at √sNN = 5.36 TeV in Pb-Pb collisions at forward rapidity with ALICE Authors: Singh, Kamaljeet Abstract: Understanding the behavior of strongly interacting matter under extreme conditions of temperature, density, and electromagnetic fields remains one of the central challenges in modern high-energy physics. Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), the fundamental theory governing the strong interaction, predicts the existence of an intricate phase structure of matter, including the transition from hadronic matter to a deconfined state known as the quark–gluon plasma (QGP). Such conditions are believed to have prevailed in the early universe shortly after the Big Bang and can be recreated in laboratory environments through ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions at facilities such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This thesis presents a comprehensive investigation of QCD matter by integrating theoretical, phenomenological, experimental, and applied perspectives. The work begins with a detailed overview of the Standard Model of particle physics, with particular emphasis on QCD as the underlying framework for strong interactions. The QCD phase diagram is introduced to illustrate the possible phases of strongly interacting matter as functions of temperature and baryon density, along with the expected phase transitions, including deconfinement and chiral symmetry restoration. Heavy-ion collisions are discussed as a unique tool to probe these extreme conditions, and the spacetime evolution of the collision system is described, highlighting key experimental signatures of QGP formation.

2026-06-19T00:00:00Z Lakhara, Aarti https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/18755 2026-07-17T11:50:51Z 2026-06-15T00:00:00Z

Title: Charge transport and emergent functional properties in two-dimensional snse2 systems [RESTRICTED THESIS-06 Months] Authors: Lakhara, Aarti Abstract: [Abstract is restricted for 06 months, due to IPR related issue]

2026-06-15T00:00:00Z Joshi, Himani https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/18754 2026-07-17T11:27:51Z 2026-06-12T00:00:00Z

Title: Multiscale modeling of hydrogen adsorption and storage into porous frameworks for carbon-neutral energy Authors: Joshi, Himani Abstract: Hydrogen storage and its transportation at operational temperatures remain major issues for its commercialization in onboard vehicular applications. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has set hydrogen storage targets for 2025, with ultimate goals of 6.5 wt.% gravimetric capacity and 50 g/L volumetric uptake.[1] To achieve these targets, solid-state hydrogen storage by adsorbing H2 in porous materials has emerged as the most promising technology, since gas-phase hydrogen storage requires a high-pressure tank and liquid hydrogen can be stored at cryogenic temperatures, which require sophisticated tanks and raise safety concerns.[2] Porous materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) offer great promise for enhancing gas storage (especially H2-storage), CO2 capture and gas separation performance with minimal effort.[3–6] These materials have attracted significant attention in recent years from the scientific community due to their high surface area, tunable pores, and open metal sites in MOFs, which facilitate stronger binding of adsorbates.[7–9] In 2003, Yaghi et al. reported remarkable gravimetric uptake capacities of 4.5 wt.% at 77 K and pressures below 1 atm, and 1 wt.% at room temperature under 20 bar for MOF-5.[10] Omar Yaghi, Susumu Kitagawa, and Richard Robson were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2025 for the development of MOFs, which can be used to harvest water from desert air, capture carbon dioxide, store toxic gases or catalyze chemical reactions.

2026-06-12T00:00:00Z