Associate Professor

We use computational modelling to probe various chemical processes which are important in the environment, catalysis and nanotechnology. We study small molecules, nano-structures, surfaces or bulk solids, employing electronic structure methods based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) and predict their structures, energies, optical properties etc. We also study electronic transport in molecules and nanostructures to look for systems which can perform molecular electronic functions, like sensing, switching or rectifying. At present, we are interested in theoretical modelling of materials which may have potential application in energy storage devices and exploration of new catalysts for energy conversion, as these problems are at the core of sustainable development.

 

Contact: bidisa.das@tcgcrest.org

Main Research Directions

Natural nano-structures and minerals for catalysis 

 

Research project started in February 2024, titled ” Designing efficient electrocatalysts from studies of natural minerals in multidimensional hybrid systems using density functional theory“, funded by DST-SERB.

 

We are looking for a research scholar (JRF) to work in the DST- SERB project for their PhD. Interested students can write to me (Email: bidisa.das@tcgcrest.org) as soon as possible as the project has already started. Interested students may also apply through RISE PhD Admissions webpage and will be considered for the position, if the post remains vacant.

 

Dimerization of Fe(III) Ion in an Aqueous Medium: Mechanistic Modelling and Effects of Ligands

ChemPhysChem, 25,e202400144 (2024). doi.org/10.1002/cphc.202400144

Abstract: Aqueous iron solutions generally undergo spontaneous hydrolysis followed by aggregation resulting in the precipitation of nanocrystalline oxyhydroxide minerals. The mechanism of nucleation of such multinuclear oxyhydroxide clusters are unclear due to limited experimental evidence.  Here, we investigate the mechanistic pathway of dimerization of Fe(III) ions using density functional theory (DFT) in aqueous medium considering effects of other ligands. Two hydrolyzed monomeric Fe(III) ions in aqueous medium may react to form two closely related binuclear products, the m-oxo and the dihydroxo Fe2  dimer. Our studies indicate that the water molecules in the second coordination sphere and those co-ordinated to the Fe(III) ion, both participate in the dimerization process. The proposed mechanism effectively explains the formation of dihydroxo and μ-oxo Fe2 dimers with interconversion possibilities, for the first time. Results show, with only water molecules present in the second co-ordination sphere, dihydroxo Fe2 dimer is the thermodynamically and kinetically favored product with a low activation free energy. We calculated the step-wise reaction free energies of dimerization in the presence of nitrate ions in the first and second coordination sphere of Fe(III) ion separately, which shows that with nitrate ions in the second co-ordination sphere, the μ-oxo Fe2 dimer is the  kinetically favored product.


 

Molecular adsorption on surfaces

 

    Designing additives and modelling corrosion inhibition (Zn ion battery)

 

Modulation of Electron Push-Pull by Redox Non-Innocent Additives for Long Cycle Life Zinc Anode A. Manna, Bidisa Das,* S. Ogale, and M. K. Bhunia*, SMALL (2024).  doi.org/10.1002/smll.202404752

 

 


Mitigating Dendrite Formation on a Zn Electrode in Aqueous Zinc Chloride by the Competitive Surface Chemistry of an Imidazole Additive. A. Rana, A. Thakare, N. Kumar, B. Mukherjee, A. Torris, Bidisa Das, S. Ogale, A. Banerjee, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 15, 23093–23103 (2023).

 

 

 

Lithiophilicity of (B,N) doped graphene surface

 

 

 

Light element (B, N) co-doped graphitic films on copper as highly robust current collectors for Anode-Free Li metal battery applications, R. Godbole, S. Hiwase, M. Hossain, M. Wable, S. Rane, S. Mandal, Bidisa Das*, A. Banerjee*, S. Ogale*, Applied Physics Reviews (2024). (In press)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metal complexes encapsulated in zeolite pores for catalysis

 

 

 

Modelling of nano-electronic devices

Modelling of electronic structure and electronic transport properties of functional molecules, nanoclusters, quantum dots and nano ribbons in two-probe junctions using DFT and NEGF formalism.

Academic Profile
  • Scientist D, 2019-2022, Technical Research Center (TRC), IACS. Jadavpur, Kolkata.
  • Research Associate III, 2015-2019, IACS, Jadavpur, Kolkata.
  • Scientist (DST Fast Track), 2012-2015, IACS, Jadavpur, Kolkata.
  • Research Associate III, 2010-2012, IACS, Jadavpur, Kolkata.
  • Scientist (DST WOS-A), 2007-2010, IACS, Jadavpur, Kolkata.
  • Post Doctoral Researcher, 2004-2006, Nanotechnology Research Institute, AIST, Tsukuba, Japan.
Education
  • PhD, 2004, Theoretical Chemistry, Thesis Supervisor: Professor K. L. Sebastian, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India.
  • MSc, 1997, Chemistry (Physical Chemistry), University of Calcutta.
  • BSc,1995, Chemistry (Hons.),University of Calcutta.

 


Publications
Recent Journal Publications 
  1. Light element (B, N) co-doped graphitic films on copper as highly robust current collectors for Anode-Free Li metal battery applications, Rhushikesh Godbole,Shweta Hiwase,Mujaffar Hossain,Minal Wable,Sunit Rane,Sukanta Mandal, Bidisa Das, Abhik Banerjee, Satishchandra Ogale, Applied Physics Reviews (2024). (In press)
  2. Modulation of Electron Push–Pull by Redox Non-Innocent Additives for Long Cycle Life Zinc Anode, Arghyadip MannaSouvik PalBidisa DasSatishchandra OgaleManas K. Bhunia,   SMALL (2024). doi.org/10.1002/smll.202404752
  3. Dimerization of Fe(III) Ion in an Aqueous Medium: Mechanistic Modelling and Effects of Ligands, Sharmistha De, Bidisa Das, ChemPhysChem, 25,e202400144 (2024).doi.org/10.1002/cphc.202400144
  4. Push–Pull Engine─Electron Pumping by Anchored Ligands over ZnO/C: Boosting Photo-Fenton-Like Catalysis without Additional Oxidants. Kajal Sharma, Ravinder Kaushik, Sharmistha De, Singh Astha, Rituporn Gogoi, Bidisa Das, Aditi Halder, Prem Felix Siril, ACS EST Engg. (2024). doi.org/10.1021/acsestengg.3c00626

  5. Sanjit Das, Sharmistha De, Paolo Centomo, Vinod K. Aswal, Carlo Meneghini, Bidisa Das, Sugata Ray, Structural Rearrangement Followed by Entrapment of Subnanometer Building Blocks of Iron Oxyhydroxide in Aqueous Iron Chloride Solutions, Inorg. Chem. 2024, 63, 16, 7255–7265. doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c00031
  6. CO2 to Cyclic Carbonate: A Mechanistic Insight of a Benign Route Using Zinc(II) Salophen Complexes, A. RameshS. DeS. Bajaj, Bidisa Das, S. Ray,European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry,27, e202300610 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/ejic.202300610
  7. Curious Behavior of Fe3+-As3+ Chemical Interactions and Nucleation of Clusters in Aqueous Medium. S. Das, G. Mishra, D. Halder, I. Carlomagno, C. Meneghini, G. De Giudici, Bidisa Das, A. Paul, V. K. Aswal, S. Ray, Inorg. Chem., 62, 30, 11966–11975 (2023).https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c01387

  8. Hierarchical Polyoxometallate Confined in Woven Thin Films for Single-Cluster Catalysis: Simplified Electrodes for Far-Fetched O 2 Evolution from Seawater, Kirti, P. Dobaria, A. Maurya, A. Kaushik, P. Kanani, P.Rajput, S. N. Jha, Bidisa Das, D. N. Srivastava, S. Kushwaha, K. Patel, ACS Catalysis, 13 , 4587-4596 (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c00544
  9. Mitigating Dendrite Formation on a Zn Electrode in Aqueous Zinc Chloride by the Competitive Surface Chemistry of an Imidazole Additive. A. Rana, A. Thakare, N. Kumar, B. Mukherjee, A. Torris, Bidisa Das, S. Ogale, A. Banerjee, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 15, 23093–23103 (2023). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.3c01310
  10. Unlocking the electronic, optical and transport properties of semiconductor coupled quantum dots using first-principles methods. A. Chakraborty, Bidisa Das, I Dasgupta, J. Quantum Chem, 123, e27101(2023). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/qua.27101
  11. Binding of As3+ and As5+ to Fe(III) Oxyhydroxide Clusters and the Influence of Aluminum Substitution: A Molecular Perspective, S. De Dalui, Bidisa Das J. Phys. Chem. A, 126, 670–684 (2022). http://DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c08754
  12. Origin of Intense Luminescence from Supramolecular 2D Molecular Crystals. S. Biswas, G. Manna, Bidisa Das, A. Bhattacharya, A. K. Pal, A. Datta, P. Alam, I. R. Laskar, P. Mondal, M. K. Mukhopadhyay, M. K. Sanyal, S. Acharya, Small, 2103212(1-9) (2021). DOI: 10.1002/smll.202103212
  13. Supramolecular Design Strategies for Color Tuning of Iridium(III) Complexes Using a Common Framework of Cyclometalating Ligands. S. Biswas, Bidisa Das, P. Alam, A. Ghatak, U. K. Ghorai, A. Ghosh, B. B. Das, I. R. Laskar, S. Acharya. J. Phys. Chem. C, 125, 4730-4742 (2021). DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c11570
  14. Zeolite-Y Encapsulated Cobalt(II) Schiff-Base Complexes Employed for Photocatalytic Dye-Degradation & Upcycling CO2 . S. Kumari, A. Ramesh, Bidisa Das, S. Ray. Inorg. Chem. Front., 8, 1553-1566 (2021). DOI: 10.1039/D0QI01190H
  15. Electronic structure and transport properties of coupled CdS/ZnSe quantum dots. S. Liebing, T. Hahn, J. Kortus, Bidisa Das, A. Chakraborty, I. Dasgupta, J. of Phys.: Cond. Matt., 33,125002 (2021). DOI: 10.1088/1361-648X/abd5f6
  16. Coagulating and flocculating ferrihydrite: application of zinc acetate salt. S. Islam, S. Das, G. Mishra, Bidisa Das, A. Malakar, I. Carlomagno, C. Meneghini, G. De Giudici, L. P. L. Goncalves, J. P. S. Sousa, Yury V. Kolen’ko, A Cristian Kuncser, S. Ray. Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 6, 2057-2064 (2020).DOI: 10.1039/D0EW00357C
  17. Molecular Distribution of Indomethacin: Impact on the Precipitation of Glassy Curcumin pH-Responsive Nanoparticles with Enhanced Solubility. K. Sharma, Bidisa Das, P. F. Siril, Crystal Growth & Design, 20, 2377-2389 (2020). DOI: 10.1039/D0EW00357C
  18. An insight into the catalytic activity of palladium Schiff-base complexes towards the Heck coupling reaction: routes via encapsulation in zeolite-Y. S. Kumari, Bidisa Das, S. Ray, Dalton Transactions, 48, 15942 (2019).
  19. Theoretical Study of Formation of Secondary Arsenic Minerals: Scorodite and Pharmacosiderite. Bidisa Das, ACS Earth and Space Chemistry 2, 192, (2019). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.8b00124
  20. Theoretical study of small Iron-oxyhydroxide clusters and formation of Ferrihydrite. Bidisa Das, J. Phys. Chem. A, 122, 652 (2018).DOI:10.1021/acs.jpca.7b09470

 

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=r5KXTTsAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bidisa-Das