Dr. POUTHIIKA K
Materials Chemist | Sustainable & Functional Materials Researcher
Theni,TN
Summary
Innovative and research-driven Materials Chemist with 5+ years of expertise in sustainable materials, nanocomposites, and functional material development. Skilled in designing and synthesizing eco-friendly materials using advanced wet-chemical, microwave, combustion, and ultrasonication techniques. Experienced in advanced material characterization, surface chemistry, and environmentally safe material development for energy, environmental, and sustainable applications. Strong understanding of biodegradable material concepts, material performance evaluation, and scalable research solutions. Proven ability to translate laboratory research into practical applications through interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific documentation, project coordination, and publication in high-impact journals. Passionate about developing next-generation biodegradable and sustainable materials for real-world applications.
Overview
2
2
Languages
2
2
Certifications
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
PROJECT ASSOCIATE II
Electrochemical Power Source Division CSIR- Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI)
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Expertise in material synthesis techniques: Wet-chemistry, Combustion synthesis, Microwave synthesis, Ultrasonication methods and so on. Proficient in developing eco-friendly and cost-effective methods to recover active materials.
- Expertise in working in a dry room environment with specialized machineries and proficient in fabrication and testing of Lithium-ion Batteries and cells (coin cell, cylindrical cell).
- Expertise in recycling and reusing active materials from used lithium-ion batteries for sustainable energy storage solutions.
- Developed sustainable material processing methodologies for advanced energy and environmental applications.
- Worked on environmentally conscious material recovery and reuse approaches supporting circular economy principles.
- Collaborated in multidisciplinary research environments for translating laboratory findings into scalable applications.
RESEARCH SCHOLAR
Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
09.2020 - 07.2024
- Conducted extensive research in [Inorganic Material Chemistry- Photocatalysis, Wastewater treatment], resulting in numerous publications in prestigious Q1/Q2 journals.
- Synthesized multifunctional nanocomposite materials for environmental remediation and sustainable applications.
- Designed eco-friendly material systems with enhanced catalytic and surface properties.
- Evaluated material performance, stability, and environmental compatibility through advanced characterization techniques.
- Hands on expertise in material characterization: XRD, FT-IR, UV-Visible, PL, TGA, ICP-MS, XPS, BET, DLS, SEM, FE-SEM, HR-TEM and AFM.
- Proficient in operating UV and visible-light photoreactors for advanced photocatalytic applications, including wastewater treatment, hydrogen evolution, and environmental remediation.
- Specialized in article writing, drafting, and review processes to ensure adherence to targeted publication standards. Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to publish findings in high-impact journals.
- Identified and resolved scientific issues to maintain standard operating procedures to advance environmental sustainability.
- Developed and optimized experimental protocols, resulting in improved reproducibility and efficiency.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to investigate novel materials, advancing innovative research projects.
Assistant Professor Junior
Vellore Institute of Technology
04.2021 - 02.2024
- Conducted research on sustainable materials, contributing to peer-reviewed publications in the field.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to advance knowledge in functional materials applications.
- Provided guidance and mentorship to students, facilitating collaborative research projects, and successfully guiding them through the publication process.
- Engaged in national and international conferences, workshops, and webinars to enhance knowledge exchange and expand academic network.
- Researched sustainable materials, leading to contributions in peer-reviewed publications advancing the field.
- Mentored undergraduate and graduate students in research methodologies and experimental design, promoting their development as researchers.
- Participated in national and international conferences, workshops, and webinars, fostering knowledge exchange and academic networking.
Education
Ph.D. - Chemistry
VELLORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (VIT)
Vellore04-2025
M.Sc. - Chemistry
SRI SARADA COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, Periyar University
Salem05-2020
B.Sc. - Chemistry
SRI SARADA COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, Periyar University
Salem05-2018
Skills
Material synthesis
Wet-chemistry techniques
Material characterization
Material recovery
Protocol optimization
Photocatalytic applications
Data analysis
Sustainability initiatives
Project documentation
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Interests
Sustainable and Biodegradable Materials, Eco-friendly Composite Materials, Functional Nanomaterials, Biomaterials and Surface Engineering, Green Synthesis Approaches, Environmental Remediation Technologies, Advanced Material Characterization, Scalable Material Development
PUBLICATIONS
- Tailoring interfacial charge separation in Z-Scheme CuO-TiO₂@halloysite heterostructure for efficient photocatalytic removal of Congo red, Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Pouthika, K. and Madhumitha, G, 2025, I.F: 5.5 (Q1).
- A Mini Review on Recent Advancements in Metal Oxide Integrated Nano-Tubular Inorganic Clay Mineral Photocatalyst for Organic Pollutant Degradation, Comments on Inorganic Chemistry. Pouthika, K. and Madhumitha, G, 2025, I.F: 5.1 (Q1).
- Green Engineered CuO-SnO₂-HNT Composites: Illuminating the Photocatalytic Path for Organic Pollutant Remediation and Zebrafish Embryo Toxicity Evaluation, Langmuir, Pouthika, K. Roopan. S. M. and Madhumitha, G, 2024, I.F: 3.8 (Q2).
- Facile synthesis route for visible active g-C₃N₅/MK30 nanocomposite and its computationally guided photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, Separation and Purification Technology, Chellapandi, T., Madhumitha, G., Roopan, S.M., Manjupriya, R., Arunachalapandi, M., Pouthika, K. and Elamathi, M., 2023, I.F - 8.1 (Q1).
- Design and development of Carissa edulis fruit extract mediated bimetallic CuO–NiO–HNT composites for photocatalytic removal of food dye and antibiotic drug, Journal of Molecular Structure, Pouthika, K. and Madhumitha, G, 2024, I.F - 4.0 (Q2).
- Photocatalytic degradation and kinetic investigations of ZnO–SnO₂ heterostructures for treatment of methyl violet using non-conventional approach, Inorganic Chemistry Communications, Samal, A#, Pouthika, K, Rajesh, A. Roopan, S.M. and Madhumitha, G., 2024, I.F - 4.4 (Q1).
- Synergistic synthesis of Carrisa edulis fruit extract capped heterogeneous CuO-ZnO-HNT composite for photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants, Inorganica Chimica Acta, Pouthika, K. and Madhumitha, G. 2023, I.F -3.1 (Q2).
- A review on plant-derived nanomaterials: an effective and innovative insect- resistant strategy for alternate pesticide development,, International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, Pouthika, K. and Madhumitha, G., 2023, I.F - 3.4 (Q2).
- Biological aspects of nitrogen heterocycles for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Manjupriya, R#., Pouthika, K. Madhumitha, G. and Roopan, S.M., 2023, I.F – 5.6 (Q1).
- Sustainable Synthesis of Nanoparticles Using Saponin-Rich Plants and Its Pharmaceutical Applications. In Secondary Metabolites from Medicinal Plants (pp. 133-150). CRC Press., Taylor & Francis, Pouthika, K., Madhumitha, G. and Roopan, S.M., 2023, Book Chapter
CITATIONS AND H- INDEX
No. Citations – 214; h index – 7; i-10 index – 6
Additional Information
DST STUTI Program - Attended Hands on training on Characterization Tools and Techniques for Materials Science- NIT – Meghalaya, India. (FE-SEM, XRD, UV-Vis, FT-IR and TEM).
Certification
Certificate in Nanomaterials and their Properties - NPTEL platform – Sept. 2021.
CONFERENCES ATTENDED
International: 3, National: 3 = 1 best poster presentation, Workshops: 3, Webinar: 1, FDP: 1
Accomplishments
- Raman Research Award - 2 : Vellore Institute of technology (for publishing research papers)
- APJ Abdul Kalam Award - 1 : Vellore Institute of Technology (for publishing review papers)
Software
Origin
X'pert High score
Chemdraw
Image J
Mendeley
Zotero
MS office
Reference
- Kuldeep, Singh, Principal Scientist, kuldeep@cecres.in, kuldeep.kakran@gmail.com, 8586939107, 7598240297, CSIR- Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Chennai Unit, CSIR Madras Complex, Taramani, Chennai, India, 600 113
- G., Madhumitha, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, madhumitha.g@vit.ac.in, 9865045446, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore Campus, Tamil Nadu, India
- S., Mohana Roopan, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, mohanaroopans@vit.ac.in, 9865610356, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore Campus, Tamil Nadu, India
- A., Kalpana, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, 9942878233, Sri Sarada College for Women, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
- S., Geetha, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, 9894366310, Sri Sarada College for Women, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
Timeline
PROJECT ASSOCIATE II
Electrochemical Power Source Division CSIR- Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI)
08.2024 - 05.2025
Assistant Professor Junior
Vellore Institute of Technology
04.2021 - 02.2024
RESEARCH SCHOLAR
Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
09.2020 - 07.2024
B.Sc. - Chemistry
SRI SARADA COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, Periyar University
M.Sc. - Chemistry
SRI SARADA COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, Periyar University
Ph.D. - Chemistry
VELLORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (VIT)