Sahil Rana
Research Associate
Sahil Rana is a Teaching Associate at Shoolini University and holds a PhD from the same institution. Prior to this, he completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Chemistry from Himachal Pradesh University and Central University of Himachal Pradesh respectively.
His research interests focus on the design and development of advanced organic–inorganic hybrid nanomaterials for environmental and energy applications. He is particularly interested in constructing heterostructured photocatalytic systems based on metal sulfides, nitrides, carbides and oxides, metal organic frameworks, carbon based materials for efficient pollutant degradation, hydrogen evolution and CO2 conversion. He is also interested in interdisciplinary research that integrates nanotechnology, materials chemistry and environmental engineering to address current challenges in water treatment and renewable energy.
He has published 20+ peer-reviewed international research articles in high-impact journals such as Fuel, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Materials Today Chemistry, Journal of Rare Earths, Chemosphere and Applied Catalysis A. With strong skills in advanced characterization techniques and scientific communication, he actively contributes to high-impact research publications, interdisciplinary collaborations, and conference presentations.
He has received several prestigious fellowships in recognition of his academic excellence and research potential. He was awarded the DST–SHE Fellowship by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, during his undergraduate and postgraduate studies for outstanding academic performance. During his doctoral research at Shoolini University, he was also conferred the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in recognition of his research merit and contributions to the field of nanomaterials and photocatalysis.
Publications
- S. Rana, A. Kumar, P. Dhiman, G. T. Mola, G. Sharma, and C. W. Lai, 'Recent advances in photocatalytic removal of sulfonamide pollutants from waste water by semiconductor heterojunctions: A review', Materials Today Chemistry, 30 (2023), 101603. (I.F. – 6.7)
- Amit Kumar, Sahil Rana, Gaurav Sharma, Pooja Dhiman, Mehdihasan I. Shekh, and Florian J. Stadler, 'Recent advances in zeolitic imidazole frameworks based photocatalysts for organic pollutant degradation and clean energy production', Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11 (2023), 110770. (I.F. – 7.4)
- Sahil Rana, Amit Kumar, Gaurav Sharma, Pooja Dhiman, Alberto García-Penas, and Florian J. Stadler, 'Recent advances in perovskite-based Z-Scheme and S-Scheme heterojunctions for photocatalytic CO2 reduction', Chemosphere, 339 (2023), 139765. (I.F. – 8.1)
- Sahil Rana, Amit Kumar, Pooja Dhiman, Gaurav Sharma, Jhaleh Amirian, and Florian J. Stadler, 'Progress in graphdiyne and phosphorene based composites and heterostructures as new age materials for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution', Fuel, 356 (2024), 129630. (I.F. – 6.7)
- Amit Kumar, Sahil Rana, Tongtong Wang, Pooja Dhiman, Gaurav Sharma, Bing Du, and Florian J. Stadler, 'Advances in S-Scheme heterojunction semiconductor photocatalysts for CO2 reduction, nitrogen fixation and NOxdegradation', Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 168 (2023), 107869. (I.F. – 4.2)
- Sahil Rana, Amit Kumar, Chin Wei Lai, Gaurav Sharma, and Pooja Dhiman, 'Recent progress in ZnCr and NiCr layered double hydroxides and based photocatalysts for water treatment and clean energy production', Chemosphere, 356 (2024), 141800. (I.F. – 8.1)
- Sahil Rana, Amit Kumar, Gaurav Sharma, Pooja Dhiman, and Tongtong Wang, 'Recent advances in Poly-Heptazine Imide and based materials for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution', ChemistrySelect, 9 (2024), e202400286. (I.F. – 1.9)
- Amit Kumar, Sahil Rana, Pooja Dhiman, Gaurav Sharma, and Florian J. Stadler, 'Current progress in heterojunctions based on Nb2O5 for photocatalytic water treatment and energy applications', Journal of Molecular Liquids, 399 (2024), 124360. (I.F. – 5.3)
- Sahil Rana, Amit Kumar, Tong-tong Wang, Gaurav Sharma, Pooja Dhiman, and Alberto García-Penas, 'A review of carbon material-based Z-Scheme and S-Scheme heterojunctions for photocatalytic clean energy generation', New Carbon Materials, 39 (2024), 458-82. (I.F. – 6.6)
- Sahil Rana, Amit Kumar, Tongtong Wang, Pooja Dhiman, and Gaurav Sharma, 'Recent progress and new insights on semiconductor heterojunctions powered photocatalytic desulphurization: A review', Chemosphere, 364 (2024), 143237. (I.F. – 8.1)
- Sahil Rana, Amit Kumar, Pooja Dhiman, Gaurav Sharma, and Tongtong Wang, 'Recent advances in rare earth metal ferrites-based heterojunctions for photocatalytic water treatment, hydrogen production and CO2 conversion', Journal of Rare Earths (2024). (I.F. – 7.2)
- Sahil Rana, Amit Kumar, Tongtong Wang, Pooja Dhiman, Gaurav Sharma, and Hui Shi, 'Incorporating C3N5 and NiCo2S4 to form a novel Z-Scheme heterojunction for superior photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin', Chemistry, 6 (2024), 962-80. (I.F. – 2.4)
- Sahil Rana, Amit Kumar, Pooja Dhiman, Gaurav Sharma, Tongtong Wang, and Alberto García-Peñas, 'Unvieling sulphur vacancy rich MIL-88B(Fe)/Cu7S4 S-Scheme heterojunctions with superior photogenic charge separation for promoted tetracycline photocatalytic removal', Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 169 (2024), 113120. (I.F. – 4.4)
- Sahil Rana, Amit Kumar, Pooja Dhiman, Chin Wei Lai, Gaurav Sharma, and Tongtong Wang, 'Fabrication of S-Scheme H-C3N4/FeNi2S4 heterojunction for visible light driven photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin', Heliyon, 11 (2025). (I.F. – 3.4)
- Pankaj Sharma, Amit Kumar, Tongtong Wang, Pooja Dhiman, Gaurav Sharma, and Sahil Rana, 'Constructing a visible-active MgO/NiWO4 Z-Scheme heterojunction for efficient photodegradation of malachite green', Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 100 (2025), 1273-87. (I.F. – 2.8)
- Amit Kumar, Sahil Rana, Pooja Dhiman, Chin Wei Lai, Gaurav Sharma, and Tongtong Wang. "Advances in enhancing the photocatalytic potential of AgVO3 catalyst for environmental and energy applications: a review." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (2025), 117276. (I.F. – 7.4)
- Amit Kumar, Sahil Rana, Pooja Dhiman, Pankaj Sharma, Chin Wei Lai, and Gaurav Sharma. "Recent progress in integration of photocatalysis and nanofiltration for advanced wastewater treatment." Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering 19, no. 11 (2025): 1-24. (I.F. – 6.4)
- Tongtong Wang, Ying Gao, Amit Kumar, Pooja Dhiman, Sahil Rana, Gaurav Sharma, Ankush Chauhan, Di Zhang, and Hui Shi. "Novel visible light driven MIL-101Fe/Cu9S5 S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for high performance removal of chloramphenicol: Degradation pathways and mechanisms." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (2025), 118362. (I.F. – 7.4)
- Pankaj Sharma, Sahil Rana, Pooja Dhiman, Tongtong Wang, Genene Tessema Mola, and Gaurav Sharma. "Recent advances, materials resources and mechanism insight for designing of renewable photocatalysts and green photocatalytic processes for energy production." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (2025): 120153. (I.F. – 7.4)
- Sahil Rana, Pooja Dhiman, Akshay Verma, Tongtong Wang, and Gaurav Sharma. "Current advancements in bimetallic sulfides based heterojunctions towards photocatalytic environmental remediation." Micro and Nanostructures (2025): 208461. (I.F. – 3.0)
- Sahil Rana, Pooja Dhiman, Pankaj Sharma, Rezakazemi M, Gaurav Sharma. “Recent advances in single-atom-based photo-Fenton catalysts for the degradation of antibiotics, pesticides, and phenols.” Applied Catalysis A: General (2025):120717. (I.F. – 4.8)
- Sahil Rana, Amit Kumar, Pooja Dhiman, Tongtong Wang, Chin Wei Lai. “Boosting the photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin from water using promising MIL-53 (Fe)/TiN S-scheme nano-heterojunctions.” Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry (2025):117009. (I.F. – 4.7)
- Pankaj Sharma, Sahil Rana, Pooja Dhiman, Mu Naushad, Tongtong Wang, Genene Tessema Mola, and Gaurav Sharma. "Recent advances in rare earth metal oxides and sulfides-based heterojunctions for photocatalytic energy applications." Journal of Rare Earths (2026). (I.F. – 7.2)
- Sahil Rana, Akshay Verma, Pooja Dhiman, Ackmez Mudhoo and Gaurav Sharma. “Degradation of water contaminants by barium titanate (BaTiO3)-based materials: A critical review.” Journal of Water Process Engineering 83 (2026): 109681. (I.F. – 6.7)
Conferences:
- “Efficient visible-light-driven degradation of norfloxacin using MIL-53(Fe)/TiN S-scheme nano-heterojunction photocatalysts”, poster presented at “International Conference on Emerging Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Development (EMTSD – 2024)”, held at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India during 26-27 Feb 2026.
- “Efficient visible light driven degradation of chloramphenicol in water using MIL-101(Fe)/Cu9S5 heterojunction photocatalyst”, poster presented at “International Conference on Frontiers in Materials Science and Technology: Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (ICFMST – 2024)”, held at SRM TRP Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India from 5-6 Dec 2024.
- “Highly efficient visible light driven photocatalytic removal of malachite green dye through MgO/NiWO4composite”, poster presented at “International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environment (ICSEE 2024)", held at MANIT Bhopal from 23-25 Feb 2024.
- “First National Conference on Himalayan Science and Technology (HISTCon)”, held at Shoolini University, Solan, India from 20-21 May 2023.
- “National Workshop on Nanomaterials for Sustainable Future” held at Maharaja Agrasen University, Baddi, India during October 30th to November 4th, 2023.
- “One week National Workshop on Role of Nanotechnology for Environmental Remediation”, held at Maharaja Agrasen University, Baddi, India from 6th to 12th November, 2024.
Contact Details:
Email: sahilrana1@shooliniuniversity.com
LinkedIn profile: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sahil-rana-a0b139262
Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-Qk4BBgAAAAJ&hl=en