Energy Research in Presidency University, Kolkata

It is indeed a proud and memorable moment for our research group as Subhrajyoti Debnath successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis on 12th May, 2026, transforming from “Mr.” to “Dr.” after years of dedication, perseverance, and hard work. He is the second doctorate from our laboratory, marking another significant milestone for our Energy Research Group.
We wholeheartedly congratulate Dr. Subhrajyoti Debnath and wish him great success in all his future endeavours.
We are sincerely grateful to Professor Shouvik Chattopadhyay of Jadavpur University for kindly serving as the external examiner and for his valuable insights during the viva-voce examination.
Sharing a few memorable moments from the thesis defence, pre-thesis seminar, and thesis submission — milestones that beautifully capture the inspiring journey from researcher to doctor.

🔔 Internship Alert 🔔

For B.Sc. and M.Sc. students:
If you are interested in pursuing a short-term internship/project (1–6 months), feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Our research focuses on energy-related materials and technologies, including:

Batteries
Supercapacitors
Electrocatalysis (HER, OER, etc.)

We provide academic and technical support for:

B.Sc. internships (as per NEP 2020 curriculum)
M.Sc. final semester dissertation projects

All internships/projects are conducted in accordance with Presidency University guidelines (https://www.presiuniv.ac.in/web/notice270420221.php).

For M.Sc. graduates aspiring to pursue a Ph.D. in the energy sector (India or abroad):
You are encouraged to apply for a long-term internship (6–12 months).

During this period, you will gain:

Strong fundamental understanding of energy research
Hands-on laboratory experience
Opportunities to publish research work, enhancing your CV and improving prospects for admission into reputed research labs

Our alumni are currently placed in several prestigious research institutes in India and abroad.

📩 To apply, please send an email to: [email protected]

We are delighted to share our recent publication in Energy Technology!

Despite the well-known challenges associated with Zn-ion based batteries—such as dendrite formation, limited cycling stability, and side reactions—we have taken a step forward in addressing these issues. In this work, we developed a hydrogel-based Zn-ion system that offers improved interfacial stability and enhanced electrochemical performance.

This approach opens up new possibilities for designing safer, cost-effective, and high-performance energy storage systems.

Enhancing Zn‐Ion Battery Performances With Hydrogel Electrolytes: Synergistic Use of Mn‐Vanadate Positive and Metal–Organic Framework‐Derived CuO Negative Electrodes An advanced aqueous Zn-ion battery (ZIB) is developed using a synergistic combination of Mn-vanadate (MnVO) as the positive electrode, metal–organic framework-derived copper oxides (CuO) as the negat...

Happy to share that our recent paper on supercapacitors has now appeared online!
This paper is very special to me because it is a collaboration with Prof. Debasis Das from the University of Calcutta, who was my MSc mentor. An interesting coincidence makes this even more meaningful—my first research paper during my MSc was published with Prof. Das, and now, after many years, my 50th paper is again with him.
Thank you so much, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to work with you. I truly hope we get the chance to collaborate again in the near future.
Grateful and proud.

Designing of Fe3O4 Supported Reduced Graphene Oxide Based 1-D Copper(II) polymeric material: A Comparative Study on High- Performance supercapacitive Behaviour Exploring and invading into the electrochemical activities of Schiff base transition metal complexes and its usage as energy storage devices, namely electrical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) has drawn much attention owing to the day-by-day evolving demand of energy storage in a more practical and c...

Happy to share that our new journey in electrocatalysis is moving forward! 🎉
Our second research paper on water-splitting electrocatalysis has been published in ChemistrySelect.

In this study, we adopt entropy as a catalyst-design principle, where enhanced multimetallic synergy significantly boosts both intrinsic and extrinsic catalytic activity.

Looking forward to further contributions toward efficient and sustainable energy conversion technologies. ⚡💧

https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/slct.202503296

I am pleased to share our recent publication in ChemPlusChem. In this work, we report an aqueous Al-ion hybrid capacitor employing a high-entropy Prussian blue analog as the positive electrode. The device demonstrates high energy and power densities, excellent cycling stability, and an ultrafast response time, highlighting the potential of high-entropy materials for advancing aqueous multivalent-ion energy storage systems.

https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cplu.202500375

In Quest of an Efficient Positive Electrode Material for Aqueous Al‐Ion Hybrid Capacitor: Investigation of a High Entropy Prussian Blue Analog An aqueous Al-ion hybrid capacitor (AIHC) employing a high-entropy Prussian blue analog (HE-PBA) as a positive electrode material is reported. Combined characterization using energy-dispersive X-ray ...

We are delighted to share that the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has recently published the book “Emerging Metal Ion Hybrid Capacitors Based on Nanomaterials”. Our group had the privilege of contributing Chapter 7: “Al-ion Hybrid Capacitors Based on Nanomaterials” to this important volume. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Chandra Sekhar Rout, Editor of the book, for giving us this wonderful opportunity to be part of such a significant work on modern energy storage technologies. I would also like to sincerely acknowledge my co-authors, Dr. Pappu Naskar and Ms. Ankita Saha, for their dedicated and scholarly contributions that made this chapter possible. This publication marks an exciting milestone for our research group, and we are truly honoured to be associated with this impactful initiative by the RSC.

https://doi.org/10.1039/9781837678488

Emerging Metal Ion Hybrid Capacitors Based on Nanomaterials The possible uses of nanotechnology span many fields from health to the environment and energy. As a result there is a wealth of scientific nanoscience res

Thrilled to share that our recent publication in ChemPhysChem on an “all-organic” flexible supercapacitor has been selected as a cover feature! This recognition highlights our efforts toward sustainable energy storage solutions using organic materials. A heartfelt thanks to Indranil Dinda and Madhushri Maiti for crafting such a stunning and impactful cover design!

https://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.70061

Cover Feature: A Highly Durable, Flexible and Asymmetric Supercapacitor with “All‐Organic” Polymeric Electrodes Employing Al‐Ion Electrochemistry (ChemPhysChem 15/2025) The Cover Feature showcases next-generation flexible and wearable electronic devices powered by eco-friendly supercapacitors. These high-performance energy storage units are fabricated by using Schif...

We are delighted to share our latest publication in ChemPhysChem, featuring our work on an all-organic flexible supercapacitor!
This research is particularly meaningful to me, as I share the corresponding authorship for the first time with my student, Dr. Pappu Naskar — a proud milestone in our journey.
In this study, we synthesized a Schiff base polymer (SBP) and demonstrated its successful application in aqueous supercapacitor devices. Given the limited prior use of this class of polymers in energy storage, our work offers compelling evidence of their promising potential.
The foundation of this research stems from our recently granted Indian patent (IN 555710), and this publication highlights the scientific essence underlying that innovation.
Grateful to Mr. Indranil Dinda and Ms. Madhushri Maiti, our dedicated M.Sc. project fellows, for their valuable contributions to this work.
https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cphc.202500251

A Highly Durable, Flexible and Asymmetric Supercapacitor with “All‐Organic” Polymeric Electrodes Employing Al‐Ion Electrochemistry A highly durable and flexible supercapacitor has been developed using a Schiff base polymer as positive and poly-anthraquinone sulfides as negative electrodes, with aqueous Al2(SO4)3 electrolyte. Thi...

Our recent study on aqueous Zn-ion batteries has been published online. In this work, we demonstrate a novel electrode combination comprising an interlayer-engineered vanadate compound as the positive and a Cu-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) as the negative electrodes. This unique pairing delivers exceptional energy storage performance. The expanded interlayer spacing in the vanadate structure facilitates efficient intercalation and deintercalation of multivalent Zn (II) ions, a key factor driving the enhanced electrochemical behaviour. Meanwhile, the open-framework architecture of the Cu-MOF provides rapid ion transport pathways and structural stability. This synergistic design offers new insights into electrode material development and paves the way for future innovations in aqueous Zn-ion battery technologies.

https://doi.org/10.1002/cnma.202500077

Boosting Aqueous Zn‐Ion Battery Performances with Mg‐Vanadate Positive and Cu‐Metal Organic Framework Negative Electrodes in Inorganic Gel Electrolyte An aqueous Zn-ion battery has been developed using MgxV2O5 as positive and Cu-BTC as negative electrodes, with a SiO2/ZnSO4 gel-electrolyte. Both MgxV2O5 and Cu-BTC demonstrate two-electron redox act...

If you are passionate about energy research, we invite you to explore the website of Presidency University, Kolkata. The Department of Chemistry currently has open Ph.D. positions in the exciting field of electrochemical energy storage and conversion. This is an excellent opportunity for motivated researchers to contribute to cutting-edge advancements in sustainable energy.

www.presiuniv.ac.in