
Dr Sanjit Nayak
BSc, MSc, PhD, PGEHEP
Expertise
Sanjit Nayak is a materials scientist expert in porous materials (MOFs, carbons, composites). His research focuses on discovery, synthesis, and characterization for energy (H2 storage) and environmental (CO2 capture, agriculture).
Current positions
Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Composite Materials Discovery
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Contact
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Biography
With his background in chemistry and materials science, his expertise covers a broad range of areas, including porous materials (MOFs, carbon) and porous composites for energy (hydrogen storage), environment (carbon capture, agrochemical delivery) and biomedical (drug delivery) applications.
Research interests
My research focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of advanced porous materials, specifically Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and porous carbons, and their integration into smart hybrid composites. The overarching goal of my work is to develop innovative solutions for pressing energy and environmental challenges.
At University of Bristol I lead a research group "Functional Porous Advanced Composites (FPAC) with special focus on the following areas:
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Novel Materials for Hydrogen Storage: We are developing next-generation porous materials with enhanced capacity and kinetics for hydrogen adsorption and desorption, crucial for a sustainable hydrogen economy.
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Carbon Capture Technologies: Part of our research is focused on development of highly efficient and selective porous adsorbents for capturing carbon dioxide directly from industrial emissions and the atmosphere.
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Controlled Drug Delivery Systems: Our group investigates the application of porous materials as smart platforms for the controlled and targeted release of therapeutic agents, aiming to improve treatment efficacy and reduce side effects, such as antimicrobial resistance.
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Sustainable Agrochemical Delivery: Our work also extends to the development of novel hybrid composites for the precise and environmentally responsible delivery of agrochemicals, minimizing waste and maximizing effectiveness.
By combining fundamental materials science with applied engineering principles, my research aims to contribute to the development of sustainable technologies that address global energy demands and environmental concerns. I am particularly interested in exploring the synergistic properties arising from the combination of different porous materials and their integration into functional composites.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
Systematic investigation of the effect of metal-organic frameworks on biodegradable polymer composites: An insight into the mechanical properties
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
01/04/2025 to 31/12/2028
Publications
Selected publications
30/10/2024Porous carbons
RSC Applied Interfaces
Mixed-linker approach in designing porous zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks with high hydrogen storage capacity
Chemical Communications
Iron-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their Polymer Composites for Sustainable Delivery of Herbicides
ACS Omega
Chemical and structural stability of zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks with large three-dimensional pores by linker engineering
Angewandte Chemie - International Edition
Biodegradable Polymer‐Metal‐Organic Framework (MOF) Composites for Controlled and Sustainable Pesticide Delivery
Advanced Sustainable Systems
Recent publications
11/03/2025Iron-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their Polymer Composites for Sustainable Delivery of Herbicides
ACS Omega
Encapsulation and Delivery of Mitoxantrone Using Zirconium-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Their Cytotoxic Potential in Breast Cancer Cells
Applied Sciences
Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Their Composites for Oil/Water Separation
ACS Omega
Porous carbons
RSC Applied Interfaces
Biodegradable Polymer Composites of Metal Organic Framework-5 (MOF-5) for the Efficient and Sustained Delivery of Cephalexin and Metronidazole
Applied Sciences
Teaching
- Chemistry of The Transition Metals
- Analytical Spectroscopy
- Supramolecular Chemistry and Nanomaterials
- Polymers and Composites in Aerospace Engineering
I also regularly supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students for their research projects.