About
Professional Summary
Prof. Dr. P. Saravanan is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, India, where he leads the Environmental Nanotechnology Research Group. His research focuses on advanced functional materials for sustainable environmental applications, including solar-driven water purification, photocatalysis, membrane separation, microbial fuel cells, water-energy nexus, waste valorisation, and circular economy strategies.
He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and has over 18 years of academic and research experience in India, Malaysia, and Poland. Before joining IIT (ISM) Dhanbad in 2016, he served at the University of Malaya, Gdańsk University of Technology, the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli, and Amrita University. He was promoted to Professor in 2024 in recognition of his contributions to research, teaching, and academic leadership.
Prof. Saravanan has established an internationally recognized research programme in environmental nanotechnology and sustainable energy systems. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications in leading international journals and has an h-index of 45(Google Scholar), 40 (Scopus), and 36 (Web of Science). His research has significantly advanced the development of visible-light-responsive photocatalysts, advanced membrane materials, and innovative technologies for environmental remediation and renewable energy applications.
He has successfully secured several competitive national and international research grants from agencies including the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), the Ministry of Education Malaysia, and the University of Malaya. His projects have addressed critical challenges in clean water production, carbon-neutral technologies, greenhouse gas conversion, and sustainable wastewater treatment.
Prof. Saravanan has supervised eleven Ph.D. scholars to completion, numerous master's students, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduate research projects, many of whom now hold academic and research positions in reputed institutions worldwide. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), a Chartered Chemist (CChem), and a Chartered Engineer (India). He also serves as Associate Editor of Materials and Emerging Technologies for Sustainability and Current World Environment and has reviewed over 500 manuscripts for international journals.
An invited speaker at numerous international conferences and workshops, Prof. Saravanan actively promotes interdisciplinary research and global collaborations. His work is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the areas of clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and sustainable industrial innovation.
Employment
Professional Appointments
Associate Professor
Indian Institute of Technology (ISM)
Senior Lecturer
Universiti Malaya
Assistant Professor (Tenure Trak)
Politechnika Gdańska
Lecturer
National Institute of Technology
Education
Academic Background-
Ph.D. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India Chemical Engineering | Completed: 2008
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M. Tech. Vellore Institute of Technology University, Tamil Nadu, India Environmental Engineering | Completed: 2003
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B. Tech. University of Madras, Chennai, India Chemical Engineering | Completed: 2000
Editorial Services
Editorial & Publishing Roles
Associate Editor
Serving as Associate Editor for Current World Environment.
Publications (118)
Selected Scholarly Contributions
Synergistic charge transfer promoted staggered heterojunction built CuCoFe-LDH/g-C3N4/MoSe2 with enriched generation of superoxide radical for solar and LED photocatalysis
Saravanan Pichiah
2026
Enhanced solar-to-chemical conversion of seawater to H2O2 via defect-rich sulphur-doped poly (heptazine imide) photocatalysts,
Saravanan Pichiah
2026
A holistic remedy to the plastic era through a high-performance photocatalytic system
2026
Self-cleaning and antibacterial fabric functionalized with exfoliated carbon nitride for indoor and outdoor use
Saravanan Pichiah
2025
Electrospun nanofibrous composites based photocatalytic-adsorbents for remediation of Congo red dye from water
Saravanan Pichiah
2024
Integrated Adsorption-Photocatalytic Degradation of Chicken Processing Wastewater Using Powdered Activated Carbon-Supported Graphitic Carbon Nitride
Saravanan Pichiah
2024
Bismuth niobate/ gC3N4 heterojunction for maximised visible light photocatalytic removal of Bisphenol A
Saravanan Pichiah
2024
Z-scheme promoted heterojunction photocatalyst (Ag@AgVO3 /rGO/CeVO4) with improved interfacial charge transfer for efficient removal of aqueous organics irradiated under LED light
Saravanan Pichiah
2023
Recent advances in the TiO2 based photoreactors for removing contaminants of emerging concern in water
Saravanan Pichiah
2023
Solvent free synthesis of carbon modified hexagonal boron nitride nanorods for the adsorptive removal of aqueous phase emerging pollutants
Saravanan Pichiah
2023
Photoelectrochemical oxidation of nonoxidative methane into the value-added product over FRET-induced ZnO/ Ag@Ag4V2O7 Donor-Acceptor heterojunction
Saravanan Pichiah
2023
ZIF-67 blended PVDF membrane for improved Congo Red removal and antifouling properties: A correlation establishment between morphological features and ultra-filtration parameters
Saravanan Pichiah
2023
Heterojunction built sillenite/ perovskite (Bi25Fe2O39 -SrTiO3) composite of distinct light sensitive nature for an interactive solar photocatalysis performance
Saravanan Pichiah
2023
Simultaneous S-scheme promoted Ag@AgVO3/g-C3N4/CeVO4 heterojunction with enhanced charge separation and photo redox ability towards solar photocatalysis
Saravanan Pichiah
2023
Built in electric-field active 2D β-BN/ZIS coated water-fed photoelectrode for methane conversion into hydrogen gas and VAPs through non-oxidative coupling
Saravanan Pichiah
2023
Facile synthesis of ZIF-8 modified PES beads with improved sorption characteristics for elimination of congo red from aquatic stream
Saravanan Pichiah
2023
ZIF-67 blended PVDF membrane for improved Congo red removal and antifouling properties: A correlation establishment between morphological features and ultra-filtration parameters
2023
Photoelectrochemical oxidation of nonoxidative methane into the value-added product over FRET-induced ZnO/ Ag@Ag4V2O7donor-acceptor heterojunction.
Saravanan Pichiah
2023
Corrigendum to “Polydopamine modified silk fibroin 3-D anode for enhanced microbial fuel cell operation” [Sustain Energy Technol Assess 49 (2022) 101696]
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
Corrigendum to Graphite nanopowder functionalized 3-D acrylamide polymeric anode for enhanced performance of microbial fuel cell [Int. J. Hydrog. Energy. 45 (2020) 23411–23421]
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
Electrospun polyacrylonitrile-Moringa Olifera based nanofibrous bio-sorbent for remediation of Congo red dye
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
Construction of highly efficient separable p-n junction based light driven composite (NiFe2O4/MnWO4) for improved solar light utilization
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
-Scheme/Type-1 heterostructure stimulated WO3/g-C3N4-WS2 ternary photocatalyst with improved charge transfer mechanism for full solar spectrum photocatalysis
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
In-situ growth of manganese oxide on self-assembled 3D- magnesium hydroxide coated on polyurethane: catalytic oxidation mechanism and application for Mn(II) removal
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
Polydopamine modified silk fibroin 3-D anode for enhanced microbial fuel cell operation
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
Heterojunction formation between AgNbO3 and Co3O4 for full solar light utilization with improved charge-carrier separation
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
Pyrolytically synthesized Cobalt based Carbon nitrogen framework as an efficient cathode catalyst in MFC application
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
PEDOT modified MIL-53 (Al) as high throughput cathode catalyst for durable and economical power generation in microbial fuel cell
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
Accelerated sunlight photocatalysis through improved electron mobility between g-C3N4 and BiPO4 nanomaterial
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
LED light activated photocatalytic performance of metal-free carbon modified hexagonal boron nitride towards degradation of methylene blue and phenol
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
Thermo-photodynamic perspective of the simultaneous S-Scheme ternary heterostructure through Ag3VO4 shuttle for the increased photo-redox ability
2022
Heterojunction formation between AgNbO3 and Co3O4 for full solar light utilization with improved charge-carrier separation.
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
PEDOT modified MIL‐53 (Al) as high throughput cathode catalyst for durable and economical power generation in microbial fuel cell.
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
LED-light-activated photocatalytic performance of metal-free carbon-modified hexagonal boron nitride towards degradation of methylene blue and phenol.
Saravanan Pichiah
2022
Novel Ag decorated, BiOCl surface doped AgVO3 nanobelt ternary composite with Z-scheme homojunction-heterojunction interface for high prolific photo switching, quantum efficiency and hole mediated photocatalysis
Saravanan Pichiah
2021
Significance of rod shape transformation of Tetrahedral TiO2 under thermal influence for enhanced solar photocatalysis
Saravanan Pichiah
2021
Metal free and sunlight driven g-C3N4 based photocatalyst using carbon quantum dots from Arabian dates: Green strategy for photodegradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol and selective detection of Fe3+
Saravanan Pichiah
2021
G.S. Selopal , F. Rosei, Z.M. Wang, H. Zarrin Review of Hybrid 1D/2D Photocatalysts for Light-Harvesting Applications.
Saravanan Pichiah
2021
Recent progress on visible active nanostructured energy materials for water split generated hydrogen
2021
Active layer modification of commercial nanofiltration membrane using CuBTC/PVA matrix for improved surface and separation characteristics
2021
Accelerated sunlight photocatalysis through improved electron mobility between g-C3N4 and BiPO4 nanomaterial.
Saravanan Pichiah
2021
Z-scheme induced g-C3N4 /WS2 heterojunction photocatalyst with improved electron mobility for enhanced solar photocatalysis.
Saravanan Pichiah
2021
Review of hybrid 1D/2D photocatalysts for light-harvesting applications.
Saravanan Pichiah
2021
Significance of Rod Shape Transformation of Tetrahedral TiO2 Under Thermal Influence for Enhanced Solar Photocatalysis.
Saravanan Pichiah
2021
A Subtle Review on the Challenges of Photocatalytic Fuel Cell for Sustainable Power Production.
Saravanan Pichiah
2021
Biocatalyst Physiology and Interplay: A Protagonist of MFC Operation.
Saravanan Pichiah
2021
Intramolecular orbital engineered hetero bimetallic Ce‐Fe MOF with reduced transition energy and enhanced visible light property
2020
C-Dot TiO2 Nanorod Composite for Enhanced Quantum Efficiency Under Direct Sunlight.
Saravanan Pichiah
2020
Graphite Nanopowder Functionalized 3-D Acrylamide Polymeric Anode for Enhanced Performance of Microbial Fuel Cell.
Saravanan Pichiah
2020
Black carbon aerosols from the coal seam of eastern India: A real-time analysis with statistical validation
2019
Challenges and Implication of Full Solar Spectrum-Driven Photocatalyst.
Saravanan Pichiah
2019
Facile Technique for the Immobilisation of TiO2 Nanoparticles on Glass Substrates for Applications in the Photocatalytic Self-Cleaning of Indoor Air Pollutants.
Saravanan Pichiah
2019
Perspective View on Materialistic, Mechanistic and Operating Challenges of Microbial Fuel Cell on Commercialisation and Their Way Ahead.
Saravanan Pichiah
2019
2018
A Review on the Synergistic Features of Hexagonal Boron Nitride (White Graphene) as Adsorbent‐Photo Active Nanomaterial
2018
A Review on the Progress of Nanostructure Materials for Energy Harnessing and Environmental Remediation.
Saravanan Pichiah
2018
Amalgamation of N-Graphene Quantum Dots with Nanocubic Like TiO2: An Insight Study of Sunlight Sensitive Photocatalysis.
Saravanan Pichiah
2018
Sonocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate using Magnetic Layered Double Hydroxide: Implications for Removal Mechanism.
Saravanan Pichiah
2018
Critical Insight on the Hydrothermal Effects toward Exfoliation of g-C3N4 and Simultaneous in-situ Deposition of Carbon Quantum Dots.
Saravanan Pichiah
2018
Novel Self-Assembled 3D Flower-Like Magnesium Hydroxide Coated Granular Polyurethane: Implication of its Potential Application for the Removal of Heavy Metals.
Saravanan Pichiah
2018
Engineered Carbon Nanotubes: Review on the Role of Surface Chemistry, Mechanistic Features, and Toxicology in the Adsorptive Removal of Aquatic Pollutants.
Saravanan Pichiah
2018
Sugarcane Juice Derived Carbon Dot–Graphitic Carbon Nitride Composites for Bisphenol a Degradation under Sunlight Irradiation.
Saravanan Pichiah
2018
Mechanistic Insights into Plasmonic Photocatalysts in Utilizing Visible Light.
Saravanan Pichiah
2018
M/g-C3N4 (M=Ag, Au, and Pd) Composite: Synthesis Via Sunlight Photodeposition and Application Towards the Degradation of Bisphenol A.
Saravanan Pichiah
2018
Synergized Mechanistic and Solar Photocatalysis Features of N-TiO2 Functionalised Activated Carbon.
Saravanan Pichiah
2017
Dopant-Free Oxygen-Rich Titanium Dioxide: Led Light-Induced Photocatalysis and Mechanism Insight.
Saravanan Pichiah
2017
Metal Organic Frameworks: A New Generation Coordination Polymers for Visible Light Photocatalysis.
Saravanan Pichiah
2017
Ag+, Fe3+and Zn2+-Intercalated Cadmium(ii)-Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Daylight Photocatalysis.
Saravanan Pichiah
2017
A Review on Advanced Oxidation Processes for Effective Water Treatment.
Saravanan Pichiah
2017
Improved Solar Light Stimulated Charge Separation of G-C3N4 Through Self-Altering Acidic Treatment.
Saravanan Pichiah
2017
Facile biosynthesis of ZnO and iron Doped ZnO Nano-catalyst: Physicochemical traits and multifunctional applications.
Saravanan Pichiah
2017
Facile reconstruction of microbial fuel cell (MFC) anode with enhanced exoelectrogens selection for intensified electricity generation.
Saravanan Pichiah
2017
Symbiotic interaction of amalgamated photocatalysts with improved day light utilisation and charge separation.
Saravanan Pichiah
2017
Iron oxide nano-material: Physicochemical traits and in vitro antibacterial propensity against multidrug resistant bacteria.
Saravanan Pichiah
2017
Synthesis and characterization of proton exchange membrane employing waste polystyrene as precursor.
Saravanan Pichiah
2016
Preparation and characterization of zeolite polymer composite proton exchange membrane.
Saravanan Pichiah
2016
Nano-structured magnesium oxide coated iron ore: Its application to the remediation of wastewater containing lead.
Saravanan Pichiah
2015
Magnetised nanocomposite mesoporous silica and its application for effective removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution.
Saravanan Pichiah
2015
Surface reconstruction of titania with gC3N4 and Ag for promoting efficient electrons migration and enhanced visible light photocatalysis.
Saravanan Pichiah
2015
Rapid thermal reduced graphene oxide/Pt-TiO2 nanotube arrays for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic reduction of CO2.
Saravanan Pichiah
2015
Palladium nanoparticles anchored to anatase TiO2 for enhanced surface plasmon resonance-stimulated, visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity.
Saravanan Pichiah
2015
Synergetic effect of conductive polymer poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) with different structural configuration of anode for microbial fuel cell application.
Saravanan Pichiah
2015
Nanocrystal TiO2 engulfed SiO2-barium hexaferrite for enhanced electrons mobility and solar harvesting potential.
Saravanan Pichiah
2015
Synthesis, features and solar-light-driven photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanotube arrays loaded with SnO2.
Saravanan Pichiah
2014
Highly efficient magnetically separable TiO2-graphene oxide supported SrFe12O19 for direct sunlight-driven photoactivity.
Saravanan Pichiah
2014
Solar photocatalytic activity of anatase TiO2 nanocrystals synthesized by non-hydrolitic sol-gel method.
Saravanan Pichiah
2014
Graphene oxide and Ag engulfed TiO2 nanotube arrays for enhanced electron mobility and visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance.
Saravanan Pichiah
2014
Synthesis of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) triggered Ag/TiO2 photocatalyst for degradation of endocrine disturbing compounds.
Saravanan Pichiah
2014
A review on potential applications of carbon nanotubes in marine current turbines.
Saravanan Pichiah
2013
Various fabrication methods of porous ceramic supports for membrane applications.
Saravanan Pichiah
2013
Adsorption isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic studies of activated carbon prepared from Garcinia mangostana shell.
Saravanan Pichiah
2013
Surface chemistry and adsorption mechanism of cadmium ion on activated carbon derived from Garcinia mangostana shell.
Saravanan Pichiah
2013
Intimate coupling of electro and biooxidation of tannery wastewater.
Saravanan Pichiah
2013
Adsorption of mercury (II) ion from aqueous solution using low-cost activated carbon prepared from mango kernel.
Saravanan Pichiah
2013
Preparation, characterisation and solar photoactivity of titania supported strontium ferrite nanocomposite photocatalyst.
Saravanan Pichiah
2013
Responses of surface modeling and optimization of Brilliant Green adsorption by adsorbent prepared from Citrus limetta peel.
Saravanan Pichiah
2012
Visible light improved, photocatalytic activity of magnetically separable titania nanocomposite.
Saravanan Pichiah
2012
Optimization of operating parameters using response surface methodology for adsorption of crystal violet by activated carbon prepared from mango kernel.
Saravanan Pichiah
2012
Enhanced magnetic separation and photocatalytic activity of nitrogen doped titania photocatalyst supported on strontium ferrite.
Saravanan Pichiah
2012
Repeated batch operation of internal loop airlift bioreactor in degrading phenolics as single and mixed substrate by using Pseudomonas spp.
Saravanan Pichiah
2011
Studies on growth kinetics of predominantly Pseudomonas sp. in internal loop airlift bioreactor using phenol and m-cresol.
Saravanan Pichiah
2011
Photo catalytic decolourization of azo dye by Fe and Co doped TiO2 under daylight illumination.
Saravanan Pichiah
2011
Biodegradation kinetics of phenol by predominantly Pseudomonas sp. in a batch shake flask.
Saravanan Pichiah
2011
Kinetics of phenol degradation and growth of predominant Pseudomonas species in a simple batch stirred tank reactor.
Saravanan Pichiah
2011
Hydrodynamics and batch biodegradation of phenol in an internal loop airlift bioreactor.
Saravanan Pichiah
2010
Batch growth kinetics of an indigenous mixed microbial culture utilizing m-cresol as the sole carbon source.
Saravanan Pichiah
2009
Degradation of phenol by TiO2-based heterogeneous photocatalysts in presence of sunlight.
Saravanan Pichiah
2009
Treatment of phenolics containing synthetic wastewater in an Internal Loop Airlift Bioreactor (ILALR) using indigenous mixed strain of Pseudomonas sp. under continuous mode of operation.
Saravanan Pichiah
2009
Growth kinetics of an indigenous mixed microbial consortium during phenol degradation in a batch reactor.
Saravanan Pichiah
2008
Feasibility of m-cresol degradation using an indigenous mixed microbial culture with glucose as co-substrate.
Saravanan Pichiah
2008
Performance of batch stirred tank bioreactor and internal loop airlift bioreactor in degrading phenol using Pseudomonas spp.: A comparative study.
Saravanan Pichiah
2008
Kinetics of growth and multi substrate degradation by an indigenous mixed microbial culture isolated from a wastewater treatment plant in Guwahati, India.
Saravanan Pichiah
2008
Biodegradation of phenol and m-cresol in a batch and fed batch operated internal loop airlift bioreactor by indigenous mixed microbial culture predominantly Pseudomonas sp.
Saravanan Pichiah
2008
Kinetics of phenol and m-cresol biodegradation by an indigenous Pseudomonas Species isolated from a sewage treatment plant.
Saravanan Pichiah
2008
Analysis of municipal solid waste for energy generation potential-A case study of Vellore city.
Saravanan Pichiah
2004
Energy recovery from municipal solid waste-A case study.
Saravanan Pichiah
2003
Estimation of energy from municipal solid waste for vellore town-A case study.
Saravanan Pichiah
2003
When microplastics meet emerging pollutants: Key insights on mechanistic features for environmental remediations
Saravanan Pichiah