Professional Background

• Senior Scientist-CECRI Madras Unit, March 2012-till date
• Scientist-CECRI Madras Unit, March 2009-March 2012
• Scientist Fellow (Quick Hire Scheme)-CECRI Madras Unit, June-2007-March-2009.
• Project Associate-Karnatak University Dharwad, March 2004-March 2007.
• Project Assistant-CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, August-2001-February 2004.

Areas of Scientific Interest

• Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Polymer Science
• Membranes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells.
• Electrocatalysts and supports for PEFCs.
• Anion exchange membranes for alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells (APEFCs).
• Membranes for pervaporation and humidification.

Awards & Honours

• CSIR Young Scientist Award for the year 2013 in Chemical Sciences for the contribution to the design and development of polymer electrolyte membranes in fuel cell applications.
• Award for outstanding scientist in electrochemistry for the year 2017 from Venus International Research Foundation, Chennai.

Publications

• S.D. Bhat, A. Manokaran, A.K. Sahu, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar, A.K. Shukla, Novel self-supported natural and synthetic polymer membranes for air humidification, Journal of Applied Polymer Science 113 (2009) 2605-2612.
• S.D. Bhat, A. K. Sahu, C. George, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar, N. chandrakumar, K. K. Singh, N. Krishna and A.K. Shukla, Composite membranes with mordenite-incorporated PVA-PSSA for DMFCs, Journal of Membrane Science 340 (2009) 73-83.
• S Mohanapriya, S D Bhat, A.K. Sahu, A. Manokaran, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar, A.K. Shukla, Modified-Bio-Polymeric-Mixed-Matrix-Membrane Electrolytes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells, Journal of Bionanoscience3 (2009) 131-138.
• S.D. Bhat, A. K. Sahu, A. Jalajakshi, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar, C. George, A. Banerjee, N. Chandrakumar, A. K. Shukla, Novel PVA-SSA-HPA-bridged-mixed-matrix-membrane electrolytes for DMFCs, Journal of The Electrochemical Society 157 (2010) B1403-B1412.
• A.K. Sahu, G. Selvarani, S.D. Bhat, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar A.K. Shukla, N. Narayanan, A. Banerjee, N. Chandrakumar, Effect of varying poly(styrene sulfonic acid) content in poly(vinyl alcohol)-poly(styrene sulfonic acid) hybrid membrane and its ramification in hydrogen-oxygen polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Journal of Membrane Science 319 (2008) 298-305.
• S. Mohanapriya, S.D. Bhat, A. K. Sahu, A. Manokaran, R. Vijayakumar, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar, A. K. Shukla, Sodium-alginate-based proton-exchange membranes as electrolytes for DMFCs, Energy and Environmental Science 3 (2010) 1746-1756.
• S. Alwin, S. D. Bhat, A. K. Sahu, A. Jalajakshi, P. Sridhar, S. Pitchumani, A. K. Shukla, Modified-pore-filled-PVDF-membrane electrolytes for direct methanol fuel cells, Journal of The Electrochemical Society 158 (2011) B91-B98.
• A.K. Sahu, S.D. Bhat, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar, V. Vimalan, C. George, N. chandrakumar, A.K. Shukla, Novel organic-inorganic-composite polymer-electrolyte membranes for DMFCs, Journal of Membrane Science 345 (2009) 305-314.
• S. Mohanapriya, S.D. Bhat, A. K. Sahu, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar, A. K. Shukla, A new mixed-matrix membrane for DMFCs, Energy and Environmental Science 2 (2009) 1210-1216.
• S. Mohanapriya, A. K. Sahu, S. D. Bhat, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar, C. George, N. Chandrakumar, A. K. Shukla, Bio-composite membrane electrolytes for direct methanol fuel cells, Journal of the Electrochemical Society 158 (2011) B1319-B1328.
• S. Meenakshi, S. D. Bhat, A. K. Sahu, P. Sridhar, S. Pitchumani, A. K. Shukla, Chitosan Polyvinyl Alcohol-Sulfonated Polyethersulfone Mixed-Matrix Membranes as Methanol-Barrier Electrolytes for DMFCs, Journal of Applied Polymer Science 124 (2012) E73-E82.
• T. Kottakkat, A K Sahu, S D Bhat, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar, Catalytic activity of dendrimer encapsulated Pt nanoparticles anchored onto carbon towards oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 110 (2011) 178-185.
• S. Meenakshi, S. D. Bhat, A. K. Sahu, S. Alwin, P. Sridhar, S. Pitchumani, Natural and Synthetic solid polymer hybrid dual network membranes as electrolytes for direct methanol fuel cells, Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry 16 (2012) 1709-1721.
• S. Mohanapriya, K. K. Tintula, S. D. Bhat, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar, A novel multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-based nanocomposite for PEFC electrodes, Bulletin of Materials Science 35 (2012) 297-303.
• A. K. Sahu, S. Meenakshi, S. D. Bhat, A. Shahid, P. Sridhar, S. Pitchumani, A.K. Shukla, Meso-structured Silica-Nafion hybrid membranes for direct methanol fuel cells Journal of the Electrochemical Society 159 (2012) F702-F710.
• S. Meenakshi, A.K. Sahu, S. D. Bhat, P. Sridhar, S. Pitchumani, A.K. Shukla, Mesostructured-aluminosilicate-Nafion hybrid membranes for direct methanol fuel cells, ElectrochimicaActa89 (2013) 35-44.
• S. GousePeera, S. Meenakshi, K. HariGopi, S. D. Bhat*, P. Sridhar, S. Pitchumani, Impact on the ionic channels of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) due to the incorporation of polyphosphazene: a case study in direct methanol fuel cells, RSC Advances 3 (2013) 14048-14056.
• S. Meenakshi, S. D. Bhat*, A. K. Sahu, P. Sridhar, S. Pitchumani, Modified sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) based mixed matrix membranes for direct methanol fuel cells, Fuel Cells 13 (2013) 851-861.
• K. HariGopi, S. GousePeera, S. D. Bhat*, P. Sridhar, S. Pitchumani, Preparation and characterization of quaternary ammonium functionalized poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) as anion exchange membrane for alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 39 (2014) 2659-2668.
• K. HariGopi, S. GousePeera, S. D. Bhat*, P. Sridhar, S. Pitchumani, 3-methyltrimethylammonium poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) based anion exchange membrane for alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Bulletin of Materials Science 37 (2014) 877-881.
• GutruRambabu, S. D. Bhat*, Simultaneous tuning of methanol crossover and ionic conductivity of sPEEK membrane electrolyte by incorporation of PSSA functionalized MWCNTs: A comparative study in DMFCs, Chemical Engineering Journal 243 (2014) 517-525.
• S. Sasikala, S. Meenakshi, S. D. Bhat*, A.K. Sahu, Functionalized Bentonite clay-sPEEK based composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cells, ElectrochimicaActa135 (2014) 232-241.
• S. Meenakshi, A.Manokaran, S. D. Bhat, A. K. Sahu, P. Sridhar, S. Pitchumani, Impact of Mesoporous and Microporous Materials on Performance of Nafion and SPEEK Polymer Electrolytes: A Comparative Study in DEFCs, Fuel Cells 14 (2014) 842-852.
• Ramendra Pandey, Harshal Agarwal, B. Saravanan, P. Sridhar, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Internal Humidification in PEM Fuel Cells Using Wick Based Water Transport, Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 162 (2015) F1000-F1010.
• GutruRambabu, S.D. Bhat*, Sulfonated fullerene in SPEEK matrix and its impact on the membrane electrolyte properties in direct methanol fuel cells, ElectrochimicaActa176 (2015) 657-669.
• S. GousePeera, A.K. Sahu, A. Arunchander, S.D. Bhat , J. Karthikeyan, P. Murugan, Nitrogen and fluorine co-doped graphite nanofibers as high durable oxygen reduction catalyst in acidic media for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Carbon 93 ( 2015) 130-142.
• A. Arunchander, S. GousePeera, V. Parthiban, SrinuAkula, TintulaKottakkat, Santoshkumar D. Bhat, Akhila Kumar Sahu, Dendrimer confined Pt nanoparticles: electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction and its application in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, RSC Advances 5 (2015) 75218-75228.
• P. Dhanasekaran, S. Vinod Selvaganesh, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Nitrogen and carbon doped titanium oxide as an alternative and durable electrocatalyst support in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Journal of Power Sources 304 (2016) 360-372.
• P. Dhanasekaran, S. Vinod Selvaganesh, V. V. Giridhar, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Iron and nitrogen co-doped titania matrix supported Pt for enhanced oxygen reduction activity in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, RSC Advances 6 (2016) 39261-39274.
• GutruRambabu, N. Nagaraju, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Functionalized fullerene embedded in Nafion matrix: A modified composite membrane electrolyte for direct methanol fuel cells, Chemical Engineering Journal 306 (2016) 43-52.
• Avanish Shukla, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*,Vijayamohanan K. Pillai,Simultaneous unzipping and sulfonation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to sulfonated graphene nanoribbons for nanocomposite membranes in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Journal of Membrane Science 520 (2016) 657-670.
• K. HariGopi, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Akhila Kumar Sahu, P. Sridhar, Quaternized poly(phenylene oxide) anion exchange membrane for alkaline direct methanol fuel cells in KOH-free media, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 133 (2016) 43693.
• S. Sasikala, K. HariGopi, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Sulfosuccinic acid-sulfonated polyether ether ketone/organo functionalized microporous zeolite-13X membrane electrolyte for direct methanol fuel cells, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 236 (2016) 38-47.
• P. Dhanasekaran, S. Vinod Selvaganesh, V.V. Giridhar, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Iron and nitrogen co-doped titania framework as hybrid catalyst support for improved durability in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 41 (2016) 18214-18220.
• P. Dhanasekaran, S. Vinod Selvaganesh, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, A nitrogen and cobalt co-doped titanium dioxide framework as a stable catalyst support for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, RSC Advances 6 (2016) 88736-88750.
• P. Dhanasekaran, S. Vinod Selvaganesh, L. Sarathi, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Rutile TiO2 Supported Pt as Stable Electrocatalyst for Improved Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Durability in Polymer electrolyte Fuel Cells, Electrocatalysis7 (2016) 495-506.
• RambabuGutru, S. GousePeera, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Akhila Kumar Sahu, Synthesis of sulfonated poly(bis(phenoxy)phosphazene) based blend membranes and its effect as electrolyte in fuel cells, Solid State Ionics 296 (2016) 127-136.
• GutruRambabu, S. Sasikala, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Nanocomposite membranes of sulfonated poly(phthalalizinone ether ketone)-sulfonated graphite nanofibers as electrolytes for direct methanol fuel cells, RSC Advances 6 (2016) 107507-107518.
• P. Dhanasekaran, S. Vinod Selvaganesh, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Preparation of TiO2:TiN composite nanowires as a support with improved long-term durability in acidic medium for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, New Journal of Chemistry 41 (2017) 2987-2996.
• K. HariGopi, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Anion exchange membrane from polyvinyl alcohol functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups via alkyl spacers, Ionics (2017) DOI 10.1007/s11581-017-2272-x.
• S. Vinod Selvaganesh, P. Dhanasekaran, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Nanocomposite TiO2-f-MWCNTs as durable support for Pt in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, J Solid State Electrochem, 21 (2007) 2997-3009.
• P. Dhanasekaran,* S. Vinod Selvaganesh, Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, Enhanced catalytic activity and stability of copper and nitrogen doped titania nanorod supported Pt electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, New Journal of Chemistry41 (2017) 13012-13026.
• S. Vinod Selvaganesh, P. Dhanasekaran, and Santoshkumar D. Bhat*, TiO2-nanowire/MWCNT composite with enhanced performance and durability for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Electrochem. Energy Technol. 3 (2017) 9-26.
• P. Dhanasekaran, Sharon R. Williams, D. KalpanaSantoshkumar D. Bhat*, Boosting efficiency and stability using zirconia nanosphere-held carbon for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, RSC Advances 8 (2018) 472-480.
• P. Dhanasekaran, S. Vinod Selvaganesh, Avanish Shukla, N. Nagaraju,S.D. Bhat*,Boosting Pt oxygen reduction reaction activity and durability bycarbon semi-coated titania nanorods for proton exchange membranefuel cells, ElectrochimicaActa 263 (2018) 596-609.
• GutruRambabu, Santoshkumar D. Bhat, Amino acid functionalized graphene oxide based nanocomposite membraneelectrolytes for direct methanol fuel cells, Journal of Membrane Science 551 (2018) 1–11.
• B. Annapurna, S. Meenakshi, S. D. Bhat*, S. Seshadri, Microbial extracellular polysaccharide-based membrane in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Chemical Engineering Journal 231 (2013) 373-379.
• S. GousePeera, A. K. Sahu, S. D. Bhat, S.C. Lee, Nitrogen functionalized graphite nanofibers/Ir nanoparticles for enhanced oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), RSC Advances4 (2014) 11080-11088.
• Susheelkumar G. Adoor, S. D. Bhat, Dionysios D. Dionysiou, Mallikarjuna N. Nadagouda, Tejraj M. Aminabhavi, Pervaporation separation of water-isopropanol mixtures using silicotungstic acid loaded sulfonatedpoly(ether ether ketone) composite membranes, RSC Advances4 (2014) 52571-52582.
• GousePeera, Akhila Kumar Sahu, Arunchander A, Krishna Nath, S.D. Bhat, Deoxyribonucleic acid directed metallization of Platinum nanoparticles on graphite nanofibers as a durable oxygen reduction catalyst for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Journal of Power Sources 297 (2015) 379-387.
• S. Mohanapriya, GutruRambabu, S. Suganthi, S. D. Bhat, V. Vasanthkumar, V. Anbarasu, V. Raj, Bio-functionalized hybrid nanocomposite membranes for direct methanol fuel cells, RSC Advances 6 (2016) 57709-57721.
• S. Mohanapriya, GutruRambabu, S. D. Bhat, V. Raj, Hybrid membranes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells operating under various relative humidity values, J Solid State Electrochem 21 (2017) 3437-3448.
• S.D. Bhat, B.V.K. Naidu, G.V. Shanbhag, S.B. Halligudi, M. Sairam and T.M. Aminabhavi, Mesoporous molecular sieve (MCM-41)-filled sodium alginate hybrid nanocomposite membranes for pervaporation separation of water-isopropanol mixtures, Separation and Purification Technology 49 (2006) 56-63.
• S.D. Bhat, T.M. Aminabhavi, Novel sodium alginate composite membranes incorporated with SBA-15 molecular sieves for the pervaporation dehydration of aqueous mixtures of isopropanol and 1,4-dioxane at 30°C, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 91(2006) 206-214.
• S.D. Bhat, T. M. Aminabhavi, Novel sodium alginate-Na+MMT hybrid composite membranes for pervaporation dehydration of isopropanol, 1,4-dioxane and tetrahydrofuran, Separation and Purification Technology (2006) 51 (2006) 85-94.
• S.D. Bhat, N. N. Mallikarjuna, T.M. Aminabhavi, Microporous alumino-phosphate (AlPO4-5) molecular sieve-loaded novel sodium alginate composite membranes for pervaporation dehydration of aqueous-organic mixtures near their azeotropic compositions, Journal of Membrane Science 282 (2006) 473-483.
• S.D. Bhat, T.M. Aminabhavi, Pervaporation separation using sodium alginate and its modified membranes-a review, Separation and Purification Reviews 36 (2007) 203-229.
• S.D. Bhat, T.M. Aminabhavi, Novel zeolite type K-LTL loaded NaAlg mixed matrix membranes for Pervaporation dehydration of aqueous-organic mixtures, Journal of Membrane Science 306 (2007) 173-185.
• B.V. K. Naidu, S.D. Bhat, M. Sairam, A. C. Wali, D. P. Sawant, S. B. Halligudi, N. N. Mallikarjuna, T. M. Aminabhavi, Comparison of the pervaporation separation of a water-acetonitrile mixture with zeolite-filled sodium alginate and poly(vinyl alcohol)-polyaniline semi-interpenetrating polymer network membranes, Journal of Applied Polymer Science 96 (2005) 1968 -1978.
• R.S. Veerapur, K.B. Gudasi, M.B. Patil, V. Ramesh Babu, S.D. Bhat, M. Sairam, T.M. Aminabhavi, Sodium alginate-poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate) interpenetrating polymeric network membranes for the pervaporation dehydration of ethanol and tetrahydrofuran, Journal of Applied Polymer Science 101 (2006) 3324-3329.
• S.G. Adoor, L.S. Manjeshwar, S.D. Bhat, T.M. Aminabhavi, Aluminum-rich zeolite beta incorporated sodium alginate mixed matrix membranes for pervaporation dehydration and esterification of ethanol and acetic acid, Journal of Membrane Science 318 (2008) 233-246.
• S.D. Bhat, T.M. Aminabhavi, Pervaporation-aided deydration and esterification of acetic acid with ethanol using 4A zeolite filled crosslinked sodium alginate mixed matrix membranes, Journal of Applied Polymer Science 113 (2009) 157-168.
• T.M. Aminabhavi, M.B. Patil, S.D. Bhat, A.B. Halgeri R.P. Vijayalakshmi, P. Kumar, Activated Charcoal Loaded Composite Membranes of Sodium Alginate in Pervaporation Separation of Water-Organic Azeotropes, Journal of Applied Polymer Science 113 (2009) 966-975.
• M.B. Patil, R.S. Veerapur, S.D. Bhat, C.D. Madhusoodana, T. M. Aminabhavi, Hybrid composite membranes of sodium alginate for pervaporation dehydration of 1,4dioxane and tetrahydrofuran, Desalination and Water Treatment 3 (2009) 11-20.
• S.D. Bhat, P.S. Niphadkar, T.R. Gaydhankar, S.V. Awate, A.A. Belhekar, P.N. Joshi, High temperature hydrothermal crystallization, morphology and yield control of zeolite type K-LTL, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 76 (2004) 81-89.
• S.D. Bhat, G.M. Chaphekar, P.S. Niphadkar, T.R. Gaydhankar, V.V. Bokade, P.N. Joshi, Dependence of synthesis parameters on physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of K-LTL zeolites, Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis 154 (2004) 233-240.

Book Chapters  : P. Sridhar, S. D. Bhat, A. K. Sahu, Newer polymer electrolytes and electrocatalysts for direct alcohol fuel cells, Electrochemistry, 2017, 14, 102-193, The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017

Patents, Technology Transfer etc

• Self-supported polymeric membrane for air humidifcation in PEFC, JP, 5528357 (Granted)
• Internal Humidification in low temperature PEM fuel cell by means of a WICK, Date of filing 02.07.15 (European patent office)
• 3 kWe PEMFC water cooled stack to Reliance Industries