Dr. Alex Chandraraj | Engineering | Excellence in Research
Dr. Alex Chandraraj, Kieluniversity, Germany
Dr. Alex Chandraraj is a post-doctoral fellow at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics, specializing in condensed matter physics and materials science. His research focuses on advanced materials, nanostructures, and their applications in renewable energy technologies. Dr. Chandraraj has authored several peer-reviewed publications in prestigious scientific journals and has presented his work at international conferences. He is dedicated to exploring innovative solutions to global energy challenges through material science.
Educational Details
Dr. Chandraraj earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry, specializing in electro-catalysis, from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bangalore, in 2022. His thesis, titled “Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Water Activation,” was supervised by Dr. Neena Susan John. He also holds an M.Sc. (2014) and B.Sc. (2012) in Chemistry from S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil, affiliated with Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, where he was a university rank holder in both degrees.
Professional Experience
Dr. Alex Chandraraj has extensive experience in the field of electro-catalysis, having worked on various research projects focused on advanced nanomaterials and sustainable energy applications. Since February 2024, he has been a Post-doctoral Fellow at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany, where he focuses on modifying nickel surfaces through wet-chemical deposition as part of the PrometH2eus project. His work aims to enhance the performance of nickel-based catalysts for energy-efficient applications. Prior to this, from August 2023 to January 2024, he was a Guest Researcher at the same institution, where he investigated oxide interface structures under real-time reaction conditions using operando surface X-ray diffraction techniques. Between February 2022 and July 2023, he served as a Project Associate at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences in Bangalore, where he developed and characterized high-valent nickel-based electrocatalysts for urea electrolysis, emphasizing hydrogen production and energy efficiency. Additionally, as a Research Associate from August 2022 to January 2023, Dr. Chandraraj contributed to the development of nanomaterials for catalytic processes and renewable energy applications. His diverse research background underscores his expertise in electro-catalysis and nanomaterials for clean energy technologies.
Dr. Alex Chandraraj’s research focuses on electro-catalysis and advanced nanomaterials, with a particular emphasis on sustainable energy solutions. His work explores the use of nanomaterials and metal oxides in water splitting and electrochemical water activation, aiming to improve the efficiency of hydrogen production through oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions. He is also deeply involved in urea electrolysis, where he investigates high-valent nickel-based catalysts to develop cost-effective and energy-efficient processes for hydrogen production from urea-based waste. Additionally, Dr. Chandraraj’s research addresses nitrate and oxygen reduction reactions by tuning metal oxidation states in catalyst systems, optimizing their performance for environmental and energy applications. His broader goal is to innovate in renewable energy by developing advanced nanomaterials and surface modifications that enhance the efficiency and durability of catalysts used in clean energy technologies.
Top Notable Publications
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2024
Journal: Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry
DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2024.118613
“Unfolding the Significance of Regenerative Active Species in Nickel Hydroxide-Based Systems for Sustained Urea Electro-Oxidation”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2024
Journal: Chemistry of Materials
DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c03062
“In-situ generated Ni(OH)2 on chemically activated spent catalyst sustains urea electro-oxidation in extensive alkaline conditions”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2024
Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.01.339
“Evidence for Exclusive Direct Mechanism of Urea Electro-Oxidation Driven by In Situ-Generated Resilient Active Species on a Rare-Earth Nickelate”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2024
Journal: ACS Catalysis
“Spontaneous decoration of Ultrasmall Pt Nanoparticles on size‐separated MoS2 nanosheets”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2023
Journal: Chemistry – A European Journal
“Probing the Evolution of Active Sites in MoO2 for Hydrogen Generation in Acidic Medium”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2023
Journal: ACS Applied Energy Materials
“Hydrogen and Hydrocarbons as Fuel”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2022
Book Chapter: Green Energy Harvesting: Materials for Hydrogen Generation and Carbon Dioxide Reduction
DOI: 10.1002/9781119776086.ch2
“Remarkable COx tolerance of Ni3+ active species in a Ni2O3 catalyst for sustained electrochemical urea oxidation”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2022
Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A
DOI: 10.1039/D1TA05753G
“Role of Metal Ion Sites in Bivalent Cobalt Phosphorus Oxygen Systems toward Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2021
Journal: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
“Introduction of surface defects in NiO with effective removal of adsorbed catalyst poisons for improved electrochemical urea oxidation”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2021
Journal: Electrochimica Acta
DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138425
“Competing Effect of Co3+ Reducibility and Oxygen-Deficient Defects Toward High Oxygen Evolution Activity in Co3O4 Systems in Alkaline Medium”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2020
Journal: ACS Applied Energy Materials
“A general route to free-standing films of nanocrystalline molybdenum chalcogenides at a liquid/liquid interface under hydrothermal conditions”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2020
Journal: Applied Surface Science
DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.145579
“Nickel Cobalt Phosphite Nanorods Decorated with Carbon Nanotubes as Bifunctional Electrocatalysts in Alkaline Medium with a High Yield of Hydrogen Peroxide”
Authors: Chandraraj Alex, [additional authors not provided]
Year: 2020
Journal: ChemElectroChem