Ep 89: Conversation with Vivek Polshettiwar– (Nano)Catalysing Thoughts for a Better World

Vivek is a Chemist and Professor at TIFR-Bombay : https://www.nanocat.co.in/prof-vivek-polshettiwar.htmlVivek’s research focuses on advanced nanomaterials,nanocatalysis, and climate change. He envisions developing next-generationcatalysts by controlling the shape and morphology of nanomaterials to optimizeactive site exposure. His team synthesizes nano-materials like metals, metaloxides, silica, titania, and plasmonic metals with tailored shapes for use asnano-catalysts in combating climate change. The ultimate goal is to advancecatalysis research by creating non-precious metal-based nanocatalysts.His group is dedicated to designing novel nanomaterialcatalysts that address climate change challenges effectively.In this episode, we explored his intellectual journey andlearn what catalyzes him to do what he does.Watch/Listen as we humanize science.References: [1]“Prof. Vivek Polshettiwar,” Nanocatalysis Laboratories.Accessed: Feb. 11, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.nanocat.co.in/prof-vivek-polshettiwar.html[2]“‪Vivek Polshettiwar - ‪Google Scholar.” Accessed: Feb.11, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=mNJfGlQAAAAJ&hl=en[3]“Vivek Polshettiwar,” Wikipedia. Jan. 30, 2025.Accessed: Feb. 11, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vivek_Polshettiwar&oldid=1272756442[4]“Vivek Polshettiwar (@VPolshettiwar) / X,” X (formerlyTwitter). Accessed: Feb. 11, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://x.com/vpolshettiwar[5]“Prof. Vivek Polshettiwar | LinkedIn.” Accessed: Feb. 11,2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-vivek-polshettiwar-40a5837/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=in[6]A. Maity, S. Chaudhari, J. J. Titman, and V.Polshettiwar, “Catalytic nanosponges of acidic aluminosilicates for plasticdegradation and CO2 to fuel conversion,” Nat Commun, vol. 11, p. 3828,Jul. 2020, doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17711-6.[7]M. Dhiman et al., “Plasmonic colloidosomes ofblack gold for solar energy harvesting and hotspots directed catalysis for CO2to fuel conversion †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available:Detailed experimental surface area data, low magnification STEM images, PXRD,details of thermal efficiency and Raman thermometry calculations, catalysisselectivity data and tomography videos. See DOI: 10.1039/c9sc02369k,” ChemSci, vol. 10, no. 27, pp. 6594–6603, Jul. 2019, doi: 10.1039/c9sc02369k.[8]A. Maity, R. Belgamwar, and V. Polshettiwar, “Facilesynthesis to tune size, textural properties and fiber density of dendriticfibrous nanosilica for applications in catalysis and CO2 capture,” NatProtoc, vol. 14, no. 7, pp. 2177–2204, Jul. 2019, doi: 10.1038/s41596-019-0177-z.[9]V. Polshettiwar, “Dendritic Fibrous Nanosilica:Discovery, Synthesis, Formation Mechanism, Catalysis, and CO2Capture–Conversion,” Acc. Chem. Res., vol. 55, no. 10, pp. 1395–1410,May 2022, doi: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00031.