Professor Garudadhwaj Hota: Professor at National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India

Prof. Garudadhwaj Hota is a seasoned academic and researcher currently serving as a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela. He specializes in nanomaterials, environmental remediation, and surface chemistry. Over the course of his career, Dr. Hota has established a strong reputation for developing advanced nanostructures and functional materials with applications in water purification, energy harvesting, and catalysis. His research is deeply rooted in addressing real-world environmental challenges through scientific innovation. With over 60 high-impact publications, multiple research projects, and a history of successful Ph.D. supervision, he remains a prominent figure in the Indian scientific research community.

Online Profiles

Scopus Profile

Dr. Hota maintains a strong presence across several academic platforms. His professional profile can be accessed via the NIT Rourkela faculty page, where his academic contributions, teaching responsibilities, and research interests are regularly updated. His Google Scholar profile showcases a comprehensive list of his citations, h-index, and publication record. He also engages with the broader research community through ResearchGate, where he shares preprints, project updates, and collaborates with peers globally. If applicable, his ORCID ID ensures proper attribution of his work across journals and funding bodies, providing a unique identifier linking all his scholarly contributions.

  • Total Citations: 2,328

  • Documents Published: 65

  • h-index: 27

Dr. Hota’s Scopus profile reflects his substantial contributions to the field of nanomaterials and environmental chemistry, with over 2,000 citations across 65 publications. His research, which has been cited extensively, focuses on nanomaterials, photocatalysis, and surface science. His h-index of 27 further indicates the impact of his work in the scientific community.

Education

Dr. Hota has a solid academic foundation with degrees from some of the most reputed institutions. He completed his B.Sc. in 1995 with a focus on Physics, Chemistry (Hons), and Mathematics from Sambalpur University, followed by an M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry in 1997, where he ranked third in his class. He went on to earn an M.Phil. in Chemistry in 1998, securing the first rank. His academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay in 2004, where he worked on core-shell and composite nanomaterials with a focus on surface science. This diverse and interdisciplinary education has equipped him with the expertise to tackle complex chemical problems using nanotechnological solutions.

Research Focus

Dr. Hota’s research revolves around the design, synthesis, and functionalization of hybrid nanomaterials for various environmental and catalytic applications. His current work emphasizes visible-light-responsive photocatalysts, nanostructured adsorbents for heavy metal and organic pollutant removal, and heterostructured materials for energy generation and storage. He is particularly interested in the mechanistic aspects of charge transfer, heterojunction formation, and surface modification strategies to enhance material performance. His interdisciplinary approach often integrates materials science, environmental engineering, and surface chemistry, positioning his work at the forefront of applied nanotechnology.

Experience

Dr. Hota began his research career as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National University of Singapore (2004–2007), where he worked on functional nanostructures and advanced materials. He joined NIT Rourkela as a Lecturer in 2007 and progressed steadily through academic ranks, becoming an Assistant Professor in 2009, Associate Professor in 2012, and full Professor in 2023. Throughout his tenure, he has been actively involved in curriculum development, research supervision, and leading funded projects. His teaching spans across inorganic chemistry, nanotechnology, and environmental science, and he has been instrumental in nurturing young researchers in these domains.

Research Timeline

Dr. Hota’s research journey began post-Ph.D. at NUS Singapore, where he worked on nanomaterials for three years. Upon returning to India, he initiated his independent research career at NIT Rourkela. From 2007 to 2012, he laid the groundwork for his research group, publishing foundational work on nanoadsorbents and hybrid composites. Between 2012 and 2023, his lab gained national recognition with several funded projects, including a major one from BRNS on arsenic removal. During this period, he mentored 09 Ph.D. scholars and expanded his research into photocatalysis and sensing applications. Since 2023, he continues to lead cutting-edge work in nanomaterials as a full Professor.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Hota has been recognized for both academic excellence and research innovation. He was ranked first in his M.Phil. class and third in his M.Sc., highlighting his consistent academic brilliance. His research contributions have been acknowledged through government-funded projects, including support from the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Government of India. Additionally, he has served as a reviewer and editorial board member for reputed journals in the fields of materials chemistry and nanotechnology. Though primarily focused on research, his dedication to teaching and mentorship has also earned him recognition within the institute.

Top-Noted Publication

Among Dr. Hota’s prolific publication record, one standout paper is:
Shubhalaxmi Choudhury, Ugrabadi Sahoo, Samarjit Pattnayak, Pragnyashree Aparajita, Garudadhwaj Hota, “Designing ZnBi₂O₄/ZIF-67 Derived Hollow Co₃O₄ Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide: A Hybrid Nanocatalyst with Boosted Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activities,” published in ACS Applied Engineering Materials (2024, 2(7), 1766–1783). This work exemplifies his expertise in photocatalysis and nanocomposite design, offering a novel material that demonstrates superior performance in degrading environmental pollutants under visible light. The paper received considerable attention due to its innovative approach to energy-efficient pollutant removal.

B, S Co-doped g-C₃N₄ Hollow Nanotubes/MIL-53 Heterostructure: A MOF-Derived High-Performance Z-Scheme Photocatalyst for Bisphenol A Degradation and H₂ Evolution

Authors: Ugrabadi Sahoo, Samarjit Pattnayak, Shubhalaxmi Choudhury, Sandeep Das, Garudadhwaj Hota

Journal: Optical Materials

Year: 2025

Citations: 1

Abstract: This article presents the synthesis of B, S co-doped g-C₃N₄ hollow nanotubes integrated with MIL-53, forming a Z-scheme photocatalyst that demonstrates exceptional photocatalytic degradation of Bisphenol A and H₂ evolution under visible light.

l-Cysteine-Functionalized Boron-Doped Graphitic Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots: A Biocompatible Fluorescent Sensor for Cadmium Detection in Water

Authors: Samarjit Pattnayak, Shubhalaxmi Choudhury, Ugrabadi Sahoo, Riya Adhikari, Garudadhwaj Hota

Journal: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research

Year: 2025

Citations: 1

Abstract: This work focuses on the development of a biocompatible sensor using l-cysteine-functionalized boron-doped g-C₃N₄ quantum dots for the detection of cadmium ions in aqueous environments, showcasing high sensitivity and selectivity.

Facile Synthesis of Defect-Induced CeO₂/MIL-53(Fe) Nanocatalyst: Strategically Switching the Charge Transfer Dynamics for Remarkable Enhancement of Photocatalytic Bisphenol A Degradation and H₂ Evolution

Authors: Ugrabadi Sahoo, Samarjit Pattnayak, Shubhalaxmi Choudhury, Dillip K. Pradhan, Garudadhwaj Hota

Journal: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

Year: 2024

Citations: 43

Abstract: In this paper, the authors describe the preparation of a CeO₂/MIL-53(Fe) composite catalyst with enhanced charge transfer properties, significantly improving photocatalytic activity for Bisphenol A degradation and hydrogen evolution.

Effect of rGO Concentrations on the Structural, Vibrational, and Dielectric Properties of PVDF-HFP/rGO Composite

Authors: Praveen Kumar Panda, Manamohan Tripathy, Garudadhwaj Hota, Dillip K. Pradhan

Conference Paper: Open Access

Year: 2024

Citations: 0

Abstract: This study investigates the influence of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) concentrations on the structural and dielectric properties of PVDF-HFP/rGO composites, which could find applications in flexible electronics and energy storage devices.

Green Chemistry Mediated and Biogenic Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles: Prospects and Challenges

Authors: Samarjit Pattnayak, Shubhalaxmi Choudhury, Garudadhwaj Hota

Book Chapter

Citations: 0

Abstract: This book chapter discusses the biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles using green chemistry principles, exploring both the advantages and challenges associated with this eco-friendly synthesis method.

Fluorescent Carbon Nanoparticles as Fluorescent Sensing Platform for Metal Ions Detection

Authors: Samarjit Pattnayak, Garudadhwaj Hota

Book Chapter

Citations: 0

Abstract: This chapter focuses on the use of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles for the detection of metal ions in water, highlighting their applications as efficient sensors in environmental monitoring.

Garudadhwaj Hota, Chemistry, Best Researcher Award