DESCRIPTION :
Dr. Sumit Saha is currently working as a Principal Scientist in the Materials Chemistry & Interfacial Engineering Department at CSIR-Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, India. He obtained his B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, in 2006 and his M.Sc. in Chemistry from IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, in 2008. He received his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from the University of Miami, USA, in 2013 under the supervision of Prof. Burjor Captain. Following his Ph.D., he worked for three years as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar with Prof. Douglas A. Keszler at the Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry at Oregon State University, USA. After moving back to India, he served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Siliguri College (University of North Bengal), West Bengal, for two and a half years. He is a life member of the Indian Chemical Society, the Indian Science Congress Association, the Materials Research Society of India, the Society for Materials Chemistry, the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, and Vijnana Bharathi (Vibha). His research interest includes synthetic inorganic chemistry and materials chemistry. His present research is focused on developing polyoxometalates (metal-oxo clusters) and their composite materials for photocatalytic and electrocatalytic applications: wastewater remediation, carbon dioxide capture & conversion, and hydrogen generation.
EXPERIENCE :·Principal Scientist (Dec. 2023 – Present), Materials Chemistry & Interfacial Engineering Department, CSIR – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
·Senior Scientist (Dec. 2019 – Dec. 2023), Materials Chemistry Department, CSIR – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
·Assistant Professor (Aug. 2020 – Present), Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
·Assistant Professor (May 2017 – Dec. 2019), Department of Chemistry, Siliguri College (University of North Bengal), Siliguri, West Bengal, India.
·Postdoctoral Research Scholar (Dec. 2013 – Dec. 2016), Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry, Oregon State University, Oregon, USA.
·President – Postdoctoral Association (Jan. 2015 – Dec. 2015), Oregon State University, Oregon, USA.
·Secretary – Postdoctoral Association (Jan. 2014 – Dec. 2014), Oregon State University, Oregon, USA.
·Graduate Research Assistant (Aug. 2008 – Nov. 2013), Advisor: Prof. Burjor Captain, Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Florida, USA.
·Graduate Teaching Assistant (Aug. 2008 – May 2013), Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Florida, USA.
·Vice President – Graduate Student Association (May 2011 – May 2012), University of Miami, Florida, USA.
·Research Assistant (Dec. 2007 – May 2008), Advisor: Prof. Kaushik Ghosh, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India.
·Summer Intern (April 2007 – July 2007), Advisor: Prof. Tapan Ganguly, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, India.
·Synthetic Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
·Photocatalysis and Electrocatalysis
·Degradation of toxic organic pollutants
·Carbon Capture and Utilization
·Hydrogen Generation and Storage
·Development of new functional materials for industrial applications
Ph.D. STUDENTS :
1. Gajiram Murmu, Integrated M.Sc. from NISER Bhubaneswar, CSIR-SRF, 2021-Present
2. Satya Ranjan Sahoo, M.Sc. from Odisha University of Technology and Research, UGC-SRF, 2021-Present
3. Manish Yadav, M.Tech. from MNIT Jaipur, Manager (CMPDI), 2024-Present
4. Anmol Das, M.Sc. from NIT Raipur, CSIR-Project Fellow, 2024-Present
DISSERTATION STUDENTS :
1. Adyasha Kar, B.Tech. Chemical Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Karnataka, 2024
2. Piyush Mishra, M.Sc. Chemistry, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, 2024
3. Shivangini Bhatt, M.Sc. Chemistry, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, 2023
4. Niutan Sahoo, M.Sc. Chemistry, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, 2023
5. Amarnath Padhi, M.Sc. Chemistry, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, 2022
6. Gopinatha Panigrahi, M.Sc. Chemistry, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, 2022
7. Ameer Mohamed Jamal, M.Sc. Chemistry, Crescent Institute of Science & Technology, Chennai, 2022
8. Naveen V, M.Sc. Chemistry, Crescent Institute of Science & Technology, Chennai, 2022
9. Subhashree Jena, M.Sc. Biotechnology, Rama Devi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar, 2022
10. Sradhanjali Mishra, M.Sc. Biotechnology, Rama Devi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar, 2022
1. Sanjib Kumar Nayak, M.Sc. Chemistry, NIT Rourkela, Odisha, 2025
2. Hitendra Rathore, M.Sc. Industrial Chemistry, Central University of Gujarat, 2025
3. Ajaya Kumar Sahoo, M.Sc. Chemistry, BJB College, Bhubaneswar, 2024
4. Reshma Sarangi, Integrated M.Sc. Material Science & Engineering, Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 2024
5. Gourab Saha, Integrated M.Tech. Chemical Engineering, ICT-IOC, Bhubaneswar, 2024
6. Rokkam Kavya, Integrated M.Sc. Chemistry, Univ. of Hyderabad, Telangana, 2023
7. Abhijit Kuila, Integrated M.Sc. Chemistry, IISER Berhampur, Odisha, 2023
8. Ajit Kr. Behera, M.Sc. Chemistry, NIT Rourkela, Odisha, 2023
9. Gowthami Ganesh Kamath, M.Sc. Chemistry, MIT Manipal, Karnataka, 2023
10. Sujata Rout, M.Sc. Chemistry, Maharaja Purna Chandra Autonomous College, Baripada, Odisha, 2023
11. Srusti Swarupa Mohanty, M.Sc. Chemistry, Odisha University of Technology and Research, Odisha, 2023
12. Jiban Jyoti Das, M.Sc. Chemistry, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada, Odisha, 2023
13. Rameswari Melaka, M.Sc. Chemistry, NIT Warangal, Telangana, 2023
14. Amarnath Padhi, M.Sc. Chemistry, Utkal University, Odisha, 2022
15. Gopinatha Panigrahi, M.Sc. Chemistry, Utkal University, Odisha, 2022
16. Monalisa Pattnayak, M.Sc. Analytical Chemistry, Ravenshaw University, Odisha, 2022
17. Ritiparna Sahoo, M.Sc. Chemistry, Ravenshaw University, Odisha, 2022
18. Ananta Krushna Sahoo, M.Sc. Chemistry, Utkal University, Odisha, 2022
19. Ankita Naik, M.Sc. Chemistry, Utkal University, Odisha, 2022
20. Pooja Priyadarshini, Integrated M.Sc. Chemistry, NIT Rourkela, Odisha, 2022
21. Tamanna Panigrahi, Integrated M.Sc. Chemistry, NIT Rourkela, Odisha, 2021
22. Harapriya Behera, Integrated M.Sc. Chemistry, NIT Rourkela, Odisha, 2021
23. B Srinath Achary, B.Tech. Chemical Engineering, NIT Rourkela, Odisha, 2021
24. Tanya Gupta, M.Sc. Chemistry, NIT Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, 2020
25. Chetna Jain, M.Sc. Chemistry, Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur, Odisha, 2020
26. Samina Sahoo, M.Sc. Applied Chemistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Sarang, Odisha, 2020
27. Arup Anurup Dash, M.Sc. Chemistry, North Orissa University, Baripada, Odisha, 2020
· Life Member of Materials Research Society of India (MRSI), 2024 – Present.
· Life Member of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE), 2024 – Present.
· Life Member of Indian Institute of Mineral Engineers (IIME), 2024 – Present.
· Life Member of International Association of Engineers (Society of Chemical Engineering), 2023 – Present.
· Life Member of Society for Materials Chemistry (BARC), 2023 – Present.
· Life Member of Vijnana Bharathi (Vibha), 2022 – Present.
· Honorary Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Chemical Sciences of the Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2020 – Present.
· Best Oral Presentation Award, International Seminar on Recent Trends in Chemistry, Indian Chemical Society, 2019.
· Life Member of Indian Chemical Society, 2018 – Present.
· Life Member of The Indian Science Congress Association, 2017 – Present.
· National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, USA, 2013.
· Excellence in Education Award, Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, USA, 2013.
· Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, University of Miami, USA, 2013.
· Lifetime Teaching Assistant Award, Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, USA, 2013.
· Perpetually Outstanding Teaching Award, Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, USA, 2012.
· College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Summer Research Fellowship, University of Miami, USA, 2012.
· Second place in the Research Creativity and Innovation Forum, University of Miami, USA, 2011.
· Member of American Chemical Society, 2010 – 2017.
· Provost Teaching Fellow, Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, USA, 2010.
· Graduate Teaching Award, Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, USA, 2010.
· Merit-cum-means scholarship for excellence in Master's study, IIT Roorkee, India, 2007.
Journal Publications:
2025
1. Murmu, G.; Chauhan, M. H.; Kumar, P.*; Singh, S.*; Saha, S.* “Assessing MXene-supported polyoxometalate electrocatalysts: Is MXene always a miracle material for HER and OER applications?” Inorganic Chemistry Communications 2025, 178, 114601. Impact factor: 4.4.
2. Nandy, A.; Murmu, G.; Rana, A.; Saha, S.*; Banerjee, S.* “Sprayed Microdroplets Architect a Polyoxometalate Framework” Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed. 2025, e202424745. Impact factor: 16.1.
3. Sahoo, S. R.; Dinda, T. K.; Saha, S.; Mal, P.; Goswami, N. “Maneuvering the electronic state and active site of assembled gold nanoclusters through polyoxometalate implantation for heterogeneous green-light photocatalysis” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2025, 17, 19669-19681. Impact factor: 8.5.
4. Samajdar, S.; Murmu, G.; Biswas, M.; Manna, S.; Saha, S.*; Ghosh, S.* “Polyoxometalate-loaded reduced graphene oxide-modified metal vanadate catalysts for photoredox reactions through an indirect Z-scheme mechanism” RSC Energy Advances 2025, 4, 639-656. Impact factor: 3.2.
2024
5. Kundu, D.; Murmu, G.; Zamindar, S.; Murmu, N. C.; Banerjee, P.; Saha, S.* “Tetraalkyl/alkyltriphenylphosphonium hexatungstates for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media: an experimental and in silico-based synchronization approach” ACS Applied Energy Materials 2024, 7, 8423-8435. Impact factor: 5.5.
6. Murmu, G.; Panigrahi, T. H.; Saha, S.* “Recent advances in the development of polyoxometalates and their composites for the degradation of toxic chemical dyes” Progress in Solid State Chemistry 2024, 76, 100489. Impact factor: 12.
7. Sahoo, S. R.; Mukhopadhyay, A.; Mahata, S.; Kumari, K.; Praneeth, N. V. S.; Baksi, A.; Khatua, S.; Saha, S.; Rakshit, S.; Goswami, N. “Unravelling structural insights into ligand-induced photoluminescence mechanisms of sulfur dots” Nanoscale 2024, 16, 18494-18503. Impact factor: 6.7.
8. Murmu, G.; Samajdar, S.; Ghosh, S.; Shakeela, K.; Saha, S.* “Tungsten-based Lindqvist and Keggin type polyoxometalates as efficient photocatalysts for degradation of toxic chemical dyes” Chemosphere 2023, 346, 14076. Impact factor: 8.8.
2023
9. Hajra, K.; Saha, S.; Maity, D. “Recent Advancements of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and their Potential Applications: A Review” Advanced Materials Letters 2024, 15, 24011740.
10. Bhatt, S.; Saha, S.* “Tungsten and molybdenum based polyoxometalates for photo and electrocatalytic carbon dioxide conversion – A critical review” Progress in Solid State Chemistry 2023, 72, 100430. Impact factor: 12.
11. Saha, S.; Maity, D. “Recent Advancements of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and their Potential Applications: A Review” Advanced Materials Letters 2023, 15, 24011740.
12. Samal, R. R.; Navani, H. S.; Saha, S.; Kisan, B.; Subudhi, U. “Evidence of microplastics release from polythene and paper cups exposed to hot and cold: A case study on the compromised kinetics of catalase” Journal of Hazardous Materials 2023, 454, 131496. Impact factor: 13.6.
13. Dristant, U.; Mukherjee, K.; Saha, S.; Maity, D. “An Overview of Polymeric Nanoparticles- Based Drug Delivery System in Cancer Treatment” Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment 2023, 22, 1-23. Impact factor: 2.8.
14. Samal, R. R.; Sundaray, K.; Tulsiyan, K. D.; Saha, S.; Chainy, G. B. N.; Subudhi, U. “Compromised conformation and kinetics of catalase in the presence of propylthiouracil: A biophysical study and alleviation by curcumin” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2023, 226, 1547-1559. Impact factor: 8.2.
2022
15. Sahoo, S. R.; Bera, D.; Saha, S.; Goswami, N. “Switchable catalysis and CO2 sensing by reduction resistant, luminescent copper-thiolate complexes” Nanoscale 2022, 14, 18051-18059. Impact factor: 8.3.
16. Panigrahi, T. H.; Sahoo, S. R.; Murmu, G.; Maity, D.; Saha, S.* “Current challenges and developments of inorganic/organic materials for the abatement of toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx)–A critical review” Progress in Solid State Chemistry 2022, 68, 100380. Impact factor: 8.3.
17. Roy, G.; Gupta, R.; Sahoo, S. R.; Saha, S.; Asthana, D.; Mondal, P. C. “Ferrocene as an iconic redox marker: from solution chemistry to molecular electronic devices” Coordination Chemistry Reviews 2022, 473, 214816. Impact factor: 24.8.
18. Mishra, A. B.; Saha, S.*; Giri, L. I.; Dhal, N. K. “Technological Interventions for Sustainable Agriculture: Scope and Impact Assessment” Annals of Plant Sciences 2022, 11, 5300-5325. Impact factor: 5.016.
19. Maity, D.; Gupta, U.; Saha, S. “Biosynthesized metal oxide nanoparticles for sustainable agriculture: next-generation nanotechnology for crop production, protection and management” Nanoscale 2022, 14, 13950-13989. Impact factor: 8.307.
20. Singh, P. M.; Tiwari, A.; Saha, S.; Maity, D. “A comprehensive overview of nanotechnology in sustainable agriculture” Journal of Biotechnology 2022, 355, 21-41. Impact factor: 3.595.
21. Singh, P. M.; Tiwari, A.; Maity, D.; Saha, S.* “Recent progress of nanomaterials in sustainable agricultural applications” Journal of Materials Science 2022, 57, 10836-10862. Impact factor: 4.220.
22. Singh, P. M.; Maity, D.; Saha, S.; Dhal, N. K. “Seaweed Utilization and its Economy in Indian Agriculture” Materials Today: Proceedings 2022, 65, 63-69.
23. Rimza, T.; Saha, S.; Dhand, C.; Dwivedi, N.; Patel, S. S.; Singh, S.; Kumar, P. “Carbon-Based Sorbents for Hydrogen Storage: A State of the Art on Challenges and their Sustainability at Operating Conditions for Renewable Energy” ChemSusChem 2022, 15, e202200281. Impact factor: 9.140.
2021
24. Parihar, G.; Saha, S.*; Giri, L. I. “Application of infrared thermography for irrigation scheduling of horticulture plants.” Smart Agricultural Technology 2021, 1, 100021.
25. Saha, S.*; Zakharov, L. N.; Captain, B.; Keszler, D. A. “Synthesis and structural analysis of novel phosphonium hexatungstate complexes.” Journal of Cluster Science 2021, 32, 693-702. Impact factor: 3.061.
26. Saha, S.*; Amador, J.; Ferron, S. G.; Decker, S. R.; Park, D. H.; Keszler, D. A. “Thermal and photochemical analysis of bimetallic Bi-Mo and Bi-W carbonyl complexes.” Solid State Sciences 2021, 113, 106451. Impact factor: 3.059.
Before Joining CSIR-IMMT
27. Boulanger, S. A.; Zhu, L.; Tang, L.; Saha, S.; Keszler, D. A.; Fang, C. “Photoinduced charge transfer and bimetallic bond dissociation of a Bi−W complex in solution.” Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 2020, 11, 7575−7582. Impact factor: 6.475.
28. Wu, F.; Harper, B. J.; Marsh, D.; Saha, S.; Diulus, T.; Amador, J. M.; Keszler, D. A.; Herman, G. S.; Maddux, B. L. S.; Harper, S. L. “Monoalkyl tin nano-cluster films reveal a low environmental impact under simulated natural conditions.” Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2019, 38, 2651-2658. Impact factor: 3.742.
29. Mallik, A.; Saha, S. “Crystallization, microstructure and mechanical behaviour of titanium doped barium fluormica glass-ceramics.” International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology 2019, 16, 1471-1480. Impact factor: 1.968.
30. Saha, S.#; Frederick, R. T.#; Diulus, J. T.#; Luo, F.; Amador, J. M.; Li, M.; Park, D. H.; Garfunkel, E. L.; Keszler, D. A.; Herman, G. S. “Thermal and radiation chemistry of butyltin oxo hydroxo: A model inorganic photoresist.” Microelectronic Engineering 2019, 205, 26-31 (# authors contributed equally to this work). Impact factor: 2.523.
31. Saha, S.; Park, D. H.; Hutchison, D; Zakharov, L. N.; Marsh, D.; Ferron, S. G.; Frederick, R. T.; Diulus, J. T.; Kenane, N.; Olsen, M.; Herman, G. S.; Johnson, D. W.; Keszler, D. A.; Nyman, M. “Alkyltin keggin clusters templated by Na.” Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 10140-10144. Impact factor: 15.336.
32. Saha, S.#; Zhu, L.#; Wang, Y.; Keszler, D. A.; Fang, C. “Monitoring photochemical reaction pathways of tungsten hexacarbonyl in solution from femtoseconds to minutes.” Journal of Physical Chemistry B 2016, 120, 13161-13168 (# authors contributed equally to this work). Impact factor: 2.991.
33. Zhu, L.; Saha, S.; Liu, W.; Wang, Y.; Keszler, D. A.; Fang, C. “Simultaneous solution-based generation and characterization of crystalline bismuth thin film by femtosecond laser spectroscopy.” Applied Physics Letters 2015, 107, 061901-061905. Impact factor: 3.791.
34. Saha, S.; Captain, B. “Synthesis and structural characterization of ruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes containing platinum with a bulky N-heterocyclic carbene ligand.” Inorganic Chemistry 2014, 53, 1210-1216. Impact factor: 5.165.
35. Saha, S.; Isrow, D.; Captain, B. “Build-up of a Ru6 octahedral cluster core stabilized by tert-butyl germyl ligands.” Journal of Organometallic Chemistry 2014, 751, 815-820. Impact factor: 2.369.
36. Saha, S.; Zhu, L.; Captain, B. “Bimetallic octahedral ruthenium-nickel carbido cluster complexes: synthesis and structural characterization.” Inorganic Chemistry 2013, 52, 2526-2532. Impact factor: 5.165.
37. Saha, S.; Zhu, L.; Captain, B. “Synthesis and characterization of bimetallic iron-nickel carbido cluster complexes.” Inorganic Chemistry 2010, 49, 3465-3472. Impact factor: 5.165.
Book:
1. Barua, A.; Kumari, K.; Saha, S.; Jeet, S.; Pradhan, S. Book: Institutional and Industrial Safety Engineering Practices, John Wiley & Sons, 2024.
Book Chapters:
2024
1. Tiwari, A.; Maity, D.; Saha, S.* “Hybrid Nanofertilizers: Synthesis and Applications” Book: Nanobiotechnology for Plant Protection, Elsevier, 2024, Chapter 5, pp 75-91.
2. Maity, D.; Gupta, U.; Ajith, S.; Arora, S.; Saha, S. “Nanofertilizers for Sustainable Fruit Production Improving Productivity and Quality” Book: Nanofertilizer Delivery, Effects and Application Methods, Elsevier, 2024, Chapter 15, pp 281-298.
3. Maity, D.; Murmu, G.; Panigrahi, T.; Saha, S.* “Electrochemical Biosensors for Toxic Gases Monitoring” Book: Novel Nanostructured Materials for Electrochemical Bio-sensing Applications, Elsevier, 2024, Chapter 13, pp 287-329.
2023
4. Maity, D.; Murmu, G.; Sahoo, S. R.; Tiwari, A.; Ajith, S.; Saha, S.* “Metal/Metal Oxide Nanoparticles based Biosensors for Detection of Infectious Diseases” Book: Point-of-Care Biosensors for Infectious Diseases, Wiley, 2023, Chapter 8, pp 147-185.
5. Maity, D.; Sahoo, S. R.; Saha, S.* “Synthesis and Characterization of Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Sensors” Book: Recent Developments in Green Electrochemical Sensors: Design, Performance, and Applications, American Chemical Society, 2023, Vol. 1437, Chapter 9, pp 193-222.
2022
6. Maity, D., Sahoo, S. R., Tiwari, A., Ajith, S., Saha, S.* “Theranostic Nanoparticles in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment” In: Chaughule, R.S., Patkar, D.P., Ramanujan, R.V. (eds) Nanomaterials for Cancer Detection Using Imaging Techniques and Their Clinical Applications. Springer, 2022, pp 179-223.
7. Saha, S.; Captain, B. “Ruthenium and Osmium Carbonyl Clusters Complexes” Comprehensive Organometallic Chemistry IV, Elsevier, 2022, Vol. 7, pp 564-631.
1. Title: Design and Development of reduced GO/Polyoxotungstate Composite Materials for Photocatalytic Applications
Funding Agency: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India
Duration: April 2024 – March 2026; Amount: Rs. 16.50 Lakhs
2. Title: Bimetallic cluster encapsulated porous hybrid materials for simultaneous capture and catalytic conversion of gaseous pollutants.
Funding Agency: CSIR – Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, India
Duration: June 2020 – June 2022; Amount: Rs. 67.50 Lakhs
3. Title: Development of novel catalysts for the cost-effective conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia in order to mimic the biological fixation of nitrogen.
Funding Agency: Department of Higher Education, Science & Technology, Govt. of West Bengal.
Duration: March 2019 – March 2022; Amount: Rs. 5.4 Lakhs