Iqtidar Ahmad | photocatalytic water splitting | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Iqtidar Ahmad | photocatalytic water splitting | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral fellow, Shenzhen University, China.

Dr. Iqtidar Ahmad is a Pakistani physicist specializing in material physics and chemistry, currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, China. He completed his Ph.D. in 2022 at Kunming University of Science and Technology, China. Dr. Ahmad has held teaching positions in Pakistan, including at Government Degree College, Lohor, and Army Public School and College, Mansehra. His research focuses on low-dimensional materials, van der Waals heterostructures, and their applications in optoelectronics, spintronics, and photocatalysis. He has co-authored several publications in high-impact journals, contributing significantly to the field of material science.

Profile

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Education 

Dr. Ahmad’s academic journey began with a Diploma of Associate Engineering (D.A.E.) in Electronics from Gandahara College of Technology, Chakdara, Pakistan, in 2009. He then pursued a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physics at Hazara University Mansehra, Pakistan, graduating in 2013 with a CGPA of 3.42/4. Continuing his studies, he completed a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Physics at the same institution in 2016, achieving a CGPA of 3.92/4. Dr. Ahmad further advanced his expertise by earning a Ph.D. in Material Physics and Chemistry from Kunming University of Science and Technology, China, in December 2022. His educational background laid a strong foundation for his research in material science and physics.

Experience 

Dr. Ahmad has a diverse professional background combining academia and research. He currently serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, China, since 2023. Prior to this, he held teaching positions in Pakistan, including Lecturer roles at Government Degree College, Lohor (2016–2017), Army Public School and College, Mansehra (2015–2016), and Suffa Model School (2013–2014). His research experience encompasses computational studies on two-dimensional materials and their applications in energy-related fields. Dr. Ahmad’s work has led to several publications in peer-reviewed journals, reflecting his commitment to advancing knowledge in material science.

Research Focus 

Dr. Ahmad’s research primarily focuses on the theoretical investigation of low-dimensional materials and their heterostructures, utilizing first-principles calculations to explore their electronic, optical, and thermoelectric properties. His work aims to design materials with enhanced performance for applications in optoelectronics, spintronics, and photocatalysis. He employs advanced computational techniques, including density functional theory (DFT), to study phase transitions, strain engineering, and the effects of doping and adsorption on material properties. Dr. Ahmad’s research contributes to the development of materials with tailored properties for energy-related applications, such as water splitting and energy storage. His expertise in computational material science positions him at the forefront of research in this domain.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Title: Two-dimensional SiH/In₂XY (X, Y = S, Se) van der Waals heterostructures for efficient water splitting photocatalysis: A DFT approach

    • Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

    • Date: April 18, 2025

    • DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.04.289

    • Summary: This study investigates the photocatalytic properties of SiH/In₂XY heterostructures for water splitting applications, utilizing density functional theory to analyze their efficiency.

  2. Title: Theoretical insights into Sb₂Te₃/Te van der Waals heterostructures for achieving very high figure of merit and conversion efficiency

    • Journal: International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

    • Date: March 1, 2025

    • DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2024.126479

    • Summary: This paper explores the thermoelectric properties of Sb₂Te₃/Te heterostructures, aiming to enhance their efficiency for energy conversion applications.

  3. Title: The van der Waals heterostructures of blue phosphorene with GaN/GeC for high-performance thermoelectric applications

    • Journal: APL Materials

    • Date: January 1, 2025

    • DOI: 10.1063/5.0243511

    • Summary: This research examines the potential of blue phosphorene/GaN/GeC heterostructures for thermoelectric applications, focusing on their performance and efficiency.

  4. Title: Enhanced spintronic and electronic properties in MTe₂-GdCl₂ (M=Mo, W) heterojunctions

    • Journal: Surfaces and Interfaces

    • Date: December 2024

    • DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2024.105364

    • Summary: This paper investigates the spintronic and electronic

  5. Title: Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity in SiPGaS/arsenene-based van der Waals heterostructures

    • Journal: iScience

    • Date: 2023

    • DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108025

    • Summary: Demonstrates enhanced visible-light absorption and charge separation efficiency in SiPGaS/arsenene heterostructures, making them promising candidates for photocatalytic water splitting.

  6. Title: High thermoelectric performance of two-dimensional SiPGaS/As heterostructures

    • Journal: Nanoscale

    • Date: 2023

    • DOI: 10.1039/d3nr00316g

    • Summary: Investigates thermoelectric efficiency improvements through phonon suppression and high Seebeck coefficients in SiPGaS/As heterostructures.

  7. Title: Nickel selenide nano-cubes anchored on cadmium selenide nanoparticles for hybrid energy storage

    • Journal: Journal of Energy Storage

    • Date: 2023

    • DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2023.107065

    • Summary: First-ever design of NiSe nanocubes on CdSe for hybrid supercapacitor applications showing high capacitance and stability.

  8. Title: Versatile characteristics of Ars/SGaInS van der Waals heterostructures

    • Journal: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics

    • Date: 2023

    • DOI: 10.1039/d2cp04832a

    • Summary: Analyzes multifunctional characteristics for applications in optoelectronics and photovoltaics.

  9. Title: Two-dimensional Janus SGaInSe/PtSe₂ heterostructures for water splitting

    • Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

    • Date: 2022

    • DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.06.188

    • Summary: Examines potential for solar-driven water splitting, emphasizing electron-hole separation efficiency.

  10. Title: Electronic, mechanical, and photocatalytic properties of Janus XGaInY monolayers

    • Journal: RSC Advances

    • Date: 2021

    • DOI: 10.1039/d1ra02324a

    • Summary: Explores tunable bandgaps and mechanical stability of Janus monolayers for photocatalysis.

Conclusion

Dr. Iqtidar Ahmad is a highly qualified, technically capable, and productive researcher in the field of computational materials science. His work demonstrates depth, novelty, and interdisciplinary relevance, making him a strong candidate for a Best Researcher Award, especially at the early to mid-career level.