Centre Spotlight: Adnan Ahmad

Meet Adnan Ahmad, a PhD Candidate with COE-CSI at the Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, under the supervision of Centre Deputy Director Prof Yun Liu.

What is your research about?

My research focuses on developing carbon-based photocatalysts for clean energy and sustainable chemical production. The main goal is to design low-cost, efficient materials that use sunlight to drive useful chemical reactions. I study both metal-free carbon materials and carbon-based systems containing isolated metal sites, with the broader aim of supporting cleaner chemical production and environmental remediation.

Why are you interested in this field?

I am interested in this field because it combines fundamental science with practical environmental applications. I find it fascinating that small changes in a material’s atomic structure can strongly affect how it absorbs light and drives a chemical reaction. The possibility of using sunlight to produce useful chemicals under mild conditions strongly motivates me.

How does being part of CSI support your research?

Being part of CSI has allowed me to connect with researchers across carbon science, catalysis, spectroscopy and computational modelling. These connections have opened opportunities for collaboration, access to advanced research facilities and valuable discussions with experts from different fields. CSI also gives me the chance to present my work, receive useful feedback and learn from other members. This support has strengthened my research and helped me see how it can contribute to broader scientific and environmental goals.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

My young daughter is my biggest motivation. Her smile gives me energy each morning, while the challenge of solving difficult research problems keeps me curious and focused.

What do you hope to achieve with your research?

I hope to develop a clear understanding of how the atomic structure of carbon-based materials controls their ability to absorb sunlight and drive chemical reactions. I aim to use this knowledge to design catalysts that are efficient, stable and suitable for practical applications.

Read Adnan’s recent paper, “Reassessing structural models of graphitic carbon nitride for reliable photocatalytic predictions”, co-authored with Centre PhD Candidate Gbemi Abass, Centre research fellow Dr Cheng Yang, Prof Liu and A/Prof Terry Frankcombe.