Atul Suresh Deshpande

Department of Materials Science & Metallurgical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad

Group Leader

Professor Atul Deshpande

Professor Atul Suresh Deshpande

Professor Deshpande is affiliated with IITH with extensive international research experience from the Max Planck Institute (Germany) and the University of Pittsburgh (USA). His work focuses on the synthesis and structural analysis of novel materials for energy and biomimetic or nature inspired applications.

Education

  • Ph.D. (2004): Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Germany
  • M.Sc. Inorganic Chemistry: University of Pune, India.
  • B.Sc. Chemistry: Sir Parashurambhau College, Pune, India.

Overall Research Focus

Diagram showing the group's overarching research themes

Pioneering Solutions in Material Science

Our group operates at the intersection of Materials Engineering and Biomimetics. We are dedicated to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of synthesis to develop innovative technologies that address real-world challenges.

Our work is currently driven by three primary pillars:

  • Nanoparticle synthesis: Synthesis of novel multicomponent oxide (high entropy oxide) and high entropy alloy nanoparticles, their detailed structural analysis and analysis of their functional properties.
  • Carbon Materials: Understanding the structure-property relationships in advanced materials. Generation of nanostructured carbon materials for energy storage applications
  • Biomaterials: Biomimetic approaches for the generation of materials for superhydrophobic surfaces and coatings. Bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical applications.

Core Research Areas

Research 1 Research 2 Research 2 Research 2 Research 2

Carbon Nanostructures

The study of struture property relation in carbon nanomaterials. Our research investigates their fundamental characteristics, focusing on their synthesis, functionalization, and behavior at the nanoscale.

  • Programing the synthesis route
  • Controlled growth mechanisms
  • Pore engineering
Research 1 Research 2 Research 3 Research 2 Research 2 Research 2

High Entropy oxides

High-entropy oxides (HEOs) are a novel class of materials composed of multiple principal metal elements in roughly equal proportions, all sharing a single oxygen structure. Our research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and properties of these novel materials.

  • Synthesis and characterization
  • Application development
  • Processing and forming techniques
Biomimetic Structure 1 Biomimetic Structure 2 Biomimetic Structure 2

Biomimetics

Drawing inspiration from nature, our research focuses on designing advanced materials that mimic biological structures and functions to solve complex engineering challenges.

  • Superhydrophobic surfaces
  • Slip structures
  • Water harvesting

Centres of Excellence

CLEANZ Facility Snapshot 1 CLEANZ Facility Snapshot 2 CLEANZ

Centre of Excellence on Clean Coal Energy and Net Zero

Prof. Atul S. Deshpande is a member and core contributor to CLEANZ. This Centre of Excellence focuses on pioneering sustainable energy solutions, advancing clean coal technologies, and developing innovative materials to accelerate the transition to a net-zero future.

Visit CLEANZ Website

Our People

Driving innovation through a dedicated team of 10 PhD Scholars (5 Graduated | 5 Ongoing) and numerous student researchers.

Current Ph.D. Scholars

Ekta Majhi

Ekta Majhi

Research Focus: Okra-Derived Carbon for Supercapacitors

Aditya Shyamala

Aditya Shyamala

Research Focus: Materials with special wetability properties

Firdaus Ali

Firdaus Ali

Research Focus: Electrochemical storage

Postdoctoral Researchers

Sukesh Kumar

Sukesh Kumar, PhD

Research Focus: Photopolymerization and Thermal Polymerization of AESO for hydrophobic coatings

Notable Alumni

D. Damodar

D. Damodar, PhD

Topic: Nanostructured Carbons
M. Usha Rani

M. Usha Rani, PhD

Topic: Biomass Derived Activated Carbon

Urbashi Mahanta

Urbashi Mahanta, PhD

Topic: Wood-Derived Carbon Anodes

Najathulla BC

Najathulla BC, PhD

Topic: Semiconducting polymers Actuators

Anand Kumar

Anand Kumar, PhD

Topic: Novel multi-component equiatomic single-phase fluorite oxide nanoparticles

Publications

  1. Pore-Engineered Ultrahigh Surface Area Okra-Derived Activated Carbon for Concurrently High-Power-Density and High-Energy-Density Supercapacitor.
    Majhi E, Deshpande AS. Batteries and Supercaps. 8 (11) e202500160 (2025). doi:10.1002/batt.202500160
  2. Quantum capacitance: The large but hidden capacitance in supercapacitors.
    Kumar S, Majhi E, Deshpande AS, Khandelwal M. Carbon Trends. 16:100385, (2024). doi:10.1016/j.cartre.2024.100385
  3. High temperature elemental segregation induced structure degradation in high entropy fluorite oxide.
    Hu Y, Anandkumar M, Zhang Y, et al. Journal of Advanced Ceramics. (2024). doi:10.26599/JAC.2024.9220854
  4. Improved chemiresistor gas sensing response by optimizing the applied electric field and interdigitated electrode geometry.
    Naganaboina VR, Bonam S, Anandkumar M, Deshpande AS, Singh SG. Materials Chemistry and Physics. 305 (2023). doi:10.1016/j.matchemphys.2023.127975
  5. PEDOT:PSS-bacterial cellulose bilayer actuators: From the movement of ions to deflection.
    Najathulla BC, Kumar S, Deshpande AS, Khandelwal M. Polymers for Advanced Technologies. (2023). doi:10.1002/pat.6040
  6. Effective band gap engineering in multi-principal oxides (CeGdLa-Zr/Hf)Ox by temperature-induced oxygen vacancies.
    Hu Y, Anandkumar M, Joardar J, Wang X, Deshpande AS, Reddy KM. Scientific Reports. 13(1):2362, (2023). doi:10.1038/s41598-023-29477-0
  7. TiO2 Decorated SiO2 Nanoparticles as Efficient Antibacterial Materials: Enhanced Activity under Low Power UV Light.
    Mahanta U, Deshpande AS, Khandelwal M. ChemistrySelect. 8(4):e202203724, (2023). doi:10.1002/slct.202203724
  8. Biocompatible and antimicrobial multilayer fibrous polymeric wound dressing with optimally embedded silver nanoparticles.
    Sarviya N, Mahanta U, Dart A, et al. Applied Surface Science. 612:155799, (2023). doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.155799
  9. Humidity-Independent Methane Gas Detection in Gd0.2La0.2Ce0.2Hf0.2Zr0.2O2-based Sensor Using Polynomial Regression Analysis.
    Naganaboina VR, Bonam S, Anandkumar M, Deshpande AS, Singh SG. IEEE Electron Device Letters. (2022). doi:10.1109/LED.2022.3215616
  10. Smartphone camera-based micron-scale displacement measurement: development and application in soft actuators.
    Najathulla BC, Deshpande AS, Khandelwal M. Instrumentation Science & Technology. 1-10, (2022). doi:10.1080/10739149.2022.2053153
  11. Single-Phase High-Entropy Oxide Nanoparticles for Wide Dynamic Range Detection of CO2.
    Naganaboina VR, Anandkumar M, Deshpande AS, Singh SG. ACS Applied Nano Materials. 5(3):4524-4536, (2022). doi:10.1021/acsanm.2c00855
  12. PEDOT:PSS/Bacterial Cellulose-based soft actuator under triangle and square wave: Deflection, response and fidelity.
    Najathulla BC, Deshpande AS, Khandelwal M. Synthetic Metals. 286:117053, (2022). doi:10.1016/j.synthmet.2022.117053
  13. Single-phase high-entropy oxide-based chemiresistor: Toward selective and sensitive detection of methane gas for real-time applications.
    Naganaboina VR, Anandkumar M, Deshpande AS, Singh SG. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. 357:131426, (2022). doi:10.1016/j.snb.2022.131426
  14. TiO2@SiO2 nanoparticles for methylene blue removal and photocatalytic degradation under natural sunlight and low-power UV light.
    Mahanta U, Khandelwal M, Deshpande AS. Applied Surface Science. 576:151745, (2022). doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2021.151745
  15. Sweetcorn husk derived porous carbon with inherent silica for ultrasensitive detection of ovarian cancer in blood plasma.
    Pandey U, Rani MU, Deshpande AS, Singh SG, Agrawal A. Electrochimica Acta. 397:139258, (2021). doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2021.139258
  16. Antimicrobial surfaces: a review of synthetic approaches, applicability and outlook.
    Mahanta U, Khandelwal M, Deshpande AS. Journal of Materials Science. 56(32):17915-17941, (2021). doi:10.1007/s10853-021-06404-0
  17. N-doped MWCNTs from catalyst-free, direct pyrolysis of commercial glue.
    Damodar D, Mahanta U, Deshpande AS. Materials Chemistry and Physics. 262:124319, (2021). doi:10.1016/j.matchemphys.2021.124319
  18. In-situ formation of mesoporous SnO2@C nanocomposite electrode for supercapacitors.
    Rani MU, Naresh V, Damodar D, Muduli S, Martha SK, Deshpande AS. Electrochimica Acta. 365:137284, (2021). doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2020.137284
  19. Single-phase Gd0.2La0.2Ce0.2Hf0.2Zr0.2O2 and Gd0.2La0.2Y0.2Hf0.2Zr0.2O2 nanoparticles as efficient photocatalysts for the reduction of Cr(VI) and degradation of methylene blue dye.
    Anandkumar M, Lathe A, Palve AM, Deshpande AS. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 850:156716, (2021). doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.156716
  20. Structural and luminescent properties of Eu3+ doped multi-principal component Ce0.2Gd0.2Hf0.2La0.2Zr0.2O2 nanoparticles.
    Anandkumar M, Bagul PM, Deshpande AS. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 838:155595, (2020). doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.155595
  21. Wood-Derived Carbon Fibers Embedded with SnOx Nanoparticles as Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.
    Revathi J, Jyothirmayi A, Rao TN, Deshpande AS. Global Challenges. 4(1):1900048, (2020). doi:10.1002/gch2.201900048
  22. Corn husk derived activated carbon with enhanced electrochemical performance for high-voltage supercapacitors.
    Usha Rani M, Nanaji K, Rao TN, Deshpande AS. Journal of Power Sources. 471:228387, (2020). doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2020.228387
  23. Hard carbon derived from sepals of Palmyra palm fruit calyx as an anode for sodium-ion batteries.
    Damodar D, Ghosh S, Usha Rani M, Martha SK, Deshpande AS. Journal of Power Sources. 438:227008, (2019). doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.227008
  24. Wetting Transition from Lotus Leaf to Rose Petal using Modified Fly Ash.
    Mahanta U, Khandelwal M, Deshpande AS. ChemistrySelect. 4(27):7936-7942, (2019). doi:10.1002/slct.201901535
  25. 3D printable SiO2 nanoparticle ink for patient specific bone regeneration.
    Roopavath UK, Soni R, Mahanta U, Deshpande AS, Rath SN. RSC Advances. 9(41):23832-23842, (2019). doi:10.1039/C9RA03641E
  26. Low temperature synthesis and characterization of single phase multi-component fluorite oxide nanoparticle sols.
    Anandkumar M, Bhattacharya S, Deshpande AS. RSC Advances. 9(46):26825-26830, (2019). doi:10.1039/C9RA04636D
  27. Near-Room-Temperature Synthesis of Sulfonated Carbon Nanoplates and Their Catalytic Application.
    Damodar D, Kunamalla A, Varkolu M, Maity SK, Deshpande AS. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 7(15):12707-12717, (2019). doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b06280
  28. Sodium alginate/gelatin with silica nanoparticles a novel hydrogel for 3D printing.
    Soni R, Roopavath UK, Mahanta U, Deshpande AS, Rath SN. AIP Conference Proceedings. Vol 1966. (2018). doi:10.1063/1.5038681
  29. Nitrogen-doped graphene-like carbon nanosheets from commercial glue: morphology, phase evolution and Li-ion battery performance.
    Damodar D, Kumar SK, Martha SK, Deshpande AS. Dalton Transactions. 47(35):12218-12227, (2018). doi:10.1039/C8DT01787E
  30. Primary Structure and Phosphorylation of Dentin Matrix Protein 1 (DMP1) and Dentin Phosphophoryn (DPP) Uniquely Determine Their Role in Biomineralization.
    Deshpande AS, Fang P-A, Zhang X, Jayaraman T, Sfeir C, Beniash E. Biomacromolecules. 12(8):2933-2945, (2011). doi:10.1021/bm2005214
  31. Possible role of DMP1 in dentin mineralization.
    Beniash E, Deshpande AS, Fang PA, Lieb NS, Zhang X, Sfeir CS. Journal of Structural Biology. 174(1):100-106, (2011). doi:10.1016/j.jsb.2010.11.013
  32. Amelogenin-Collagen Interactions Regulate Calcium Phosphate Mineralization in Vitro.
    Deshpande AS, Fang P-A, Simmer JP, Margolis HC, Beniash E. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 285(25):19277-19287, (2010). doi:10.1074/jbc.M109.079939
  33. Bioinspired Synthesis of Mineralized Collagen Fibrils.
    Deshpande AS, Beniash E. Crystal Growth & Design. 8(8):3084-3090, (2008). doi:10.1021/cg800252f
  34. Synthesis of mesoporous ceria zirconia beads.
    Deshpande AS, Niederberger M. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials. 101(3):413-418, (2007). doi:10.1016/j.micromeso.2006.11.036
  35. Atomic-scale structure of nanocrystalline CeO2-ZrO2 oxides by total x-ray diffraction and pair distribution function analysis.
    Gateshki M, Niederberger M, Deshpande AS, Ren Y, Petkov V. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter. 19(15):156205, (2007). doi:10.1088/0953-8984/19/15/156205
  36. Hierarchically Structured Ceramics by High-Precision Nanoparticle Casting of Wood.
    Deshpande AS, Burgert I, Paris O. Small. 2(8-9):994-998, (2006). doi:10.1002/smll.200600203
  37. Steam reforming of methanol over Cu/ZrO/CeO catalysts: a kinetic study.
    Mastalir A, Frank B, Szizybalski A, et al. Journal of Catalysis. 230(2):464-475, (2005). doi:10.1016/j.jcat.2004.12.020
  38. Titania and Mixed Titania/Aluminum, Gallium, or Indium Oxide Spheres: Sol-Gel/Template Synthesis and Photocatalytic Properties.
    Deshpande AS, Shchukin DG, Ustinovich E, Antonietti M, Caruso RA. Advanced Functional Materials. 15(2):239-245, (2005). doi:10.1002/adfm.200400220
  39. Controlled Assembly of Preformed Ceria Nanocrystals into Highly Ordered 3D Nanostructures.
    Deshpande A, Pinna N, Smarsly B, Antonietti M, Niederberger M. Small. 1(3):313-316, (2005). doi:10.1002/smll.200400060
  40. Synthesis and Characterization of Stable and Crystalline Ce1-xZrxO2 Nanoparticle Sols.
    Deshpande AS, Pinna N, Beato P, Antonietti M, Niederberger M. Chemistry of Materials. 16(13):2599-2604, (2004). doi:10.1021/cm040155w
  41. Synthesis of nanosized Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 porous powders via an autoignition: glycine nitrate process.
    Potdar H, Deshpande S, Khollam Y, Deshpande A, Date S. Materials Letters. 57(5-6):1066-1071, (2003). doi:10.1016/S0167-577X(02)00932-1
  42. A self-sustaining acid-base reaction in semi-aqueous media for synthesis of barium titanyl oxalate leading to BaTiO3 powders.
    Khollam Y, Deshpande A, Potdar H, Deshpande S, Date S, Patil A. Materials Letters. 55(3):175-181, (2002). doi:10.1016/S0167-577X(01)00642-5
  43. Preparation of ceria-zirconia (Ce0.75Zr0.25O2) powders by microwave-hydrothermal (MH) route.
    Potdar HS, Deshpande SB, Deshpande AS, et al. Materials Chemistry and Physics. 74(3):306-312, (2002). doi:10.1016/S0254-0584(01)00485-0
  44. Synthesis of yttria stabilized cubic zirconia (YSZ) powders by microwave-hydrothermal route.
    Khollam YB, Deshpande AS, Patil AJ, Potdar HS, Deshpande SB, Date SK. Materials Chemistry and Physics. 71(3):235-241, (2001). doi:10.1016/S0254-0584(01)00287-5
  45. Improved chemical route for quantitative precipitation of lead zirconyl oxalate (PZO) leading to lead zirconate (PZ) powders.
    Deshpande AS, Khollam YB, Patil AJ, Deshpande SB, Potdar HS, Date SK. Materials Letters. 51(2):161-171, (2001). doi:10.1016/S0167-577X(01)00284-1
  46. Microwave-hydrothermal synthesis of equi-axed and submicron-sized BaTiO3 powders.
    Khollam YB, Deshpande AS, Patil AJ, Potdar HS, Deshpande SB, Date SK. Materials Chemistry and Physics. 71(3):304-308, (2001). doi:10.1016/S0254-0584(01)00286-3
  47. Simplified chemical route for the synthesis of barium titanyl oxalate (BTO).
    Potdar HS, Deshpande SB, Deshpande AS, et al. International Journal of Inorganic Materials. 3(7):613-623, (2001). doi:10.1016/S1466-6049(01)00168-4
  48. Preparation and characterization of strontium zirconate (SrZrO3) fine powders.
    Potdar HS, Deshpande SB, Patil AJ, Deshpande AS, Khollam YB, Date SK. Materials Chemistry and Physics. 65(2):178-185, (2000). doi:10.1016/S0254-0584(00)00238-8

*Total Publications: 48 | H-Index: 29

Conference Talks & Presentations

Oral Presentation Dec 2018

"Precursor dictated morphology control of nanostructured carbons"

Atul Suresh Deshpande, Damodar D, M. Usha rani

Carbon MEMS: New Horizons, Fourth International Carbon-MEMS Meeting, Hyderabad

Invited Talk Nov 2016

"Entropy Stabilized Multicomponent Oxides: Synthesis and Structural Analysis"

Atul Suresh Deshpande, M. Anandkumar, Saswata Bhattachrya, Ranjith Ramadurai

NMD-ATM 2016, IIT Kanpur

Oral Presentation Nov 2016

"Entropy stabilized rare-earth based oxide: Synthesis and Thermal Stability"

M. Anandkumar, Atul Suresh Deshpande, Saswata Bhattachrya, Ranjith Ramadurai

MRS Fall Meeting

Invited Talk 2023

"High Entropy Oxides: Synthesis, Phase Stability, Thermal Stability and Functional Behavior"

Atul Suresh Deshpande*

International Conference on Powder Metallurgy and Particulate Materials (PM 23), Mumbai

Oral Presentation Nov 2023

"Okra-Derived Hierarchical Porous Structured Activated Carbon Tuning with Metal-Oxide for Advanced Supercapacitors"

E. Majhi, Atul Suresh Deshpande*

MRS Fall Meeting

Invited Talk 2025

"Engineering the properties of carbon to achieve high energy density and power density simultaneously for supercapacitors."

Atul Suresh Deshpande*

International Conference on Powder Metallurgy and Particulate Materials (PM 25), Mumbai

Patents & Professional Recognition

Intellectual Property (Patents)

Granted (2021)

Indian Patent No. 201611034531

Improved process for Wood-derived Carbon - Metal oxide composites prepared by nanocasting of wood for electrode materials in lithium ion batteries.

Inventors: J. Revathi, A.S. Deshpande, T.N. Rao
Applied

Indian Patent No. 201611027145

An improved process for the preparation of stable nano silver suspension having antimicrobial activity.

Inventors: J. Revathi, A.S. Deshpande, et al.
Granted (Patent No. 220791)

Indian Patent No. 792/DEL/2001

An improved process for the preparation of barium titanyl oxalate (BTO).

Inventors: H.S. Potdar, S.B. Deshpande, S.K. Date, Y.B. Khollam, A.S. Deshpande, A.J. Patil

Lab in News & Media

News article snapshot
October 12, 2023

Prof. Deshpande's Team Makes Breakthrough in Nanomaterials

The IIT Hyderabad research group recently published findings that could revolutionize how we approach surface functionalization in carbon nanoparticles...

Read Full Article →
News article snapshot
August 05, 2023

IIT Hyderabad Receives Prestigious Grant for Ceramics Research

Recognizing the lab's pioneering work in advanced ceramics and sol-gel processing, a new grant will fund the next phase of their computational modeling project...

Read Full Article →
News article snapshot
October 12, 2023

Prof. Deshpande's Team Makes Breakthrough in Nanomaterials

The IIT Hyderabad research group recently published findings that could revolutionize how we approach surface functionalization in carbon nanoparticles...

Read Full Article →

Social media buzz

Recent Updates

Lab and Department Facilities

The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art synthesis and characterization tools for advanced materials research.

High-Temperature Furnaces

For High Entropy Oxide synthesis.

Stability Chamber

For controlled environment testing and extended aging studies.

Electrochemical Workstations

For supercapacitor & battery testing.

Surface Analysis

Contact angle & superhydrophobic coating analysis.

Our Collaborators

Academic Partners

  • Prof. Mudrika Khandelwal: Hydrophobic surface and slip systems.
  • Dr. Narendra Kurra: Energy storage materials.
  • Prof. Chandrasekhar Sharma: Materials Chemistry.
  • Prof. Peter Kingshot:Potoctalysis.

Industry Partners

  • Maithri Aquatech: Development of nature based advance and sustainable solutions for Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH).
  • ARCI Hyderabad: Development of Carbon-Metal oxide composites.
  • Biotech Firms: Research on antimicrobial silver suspensions.

Join Our Group

We are looking for motivated Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral candidates interested in:

  • 🚀 High Entropy Oxide & Alloy Nanoparticles
  • 🌱 Biomass-Derived Carbons for Energy Storage
  • 💧 Superhydrophobic Coatings & Biomimetic Materials

Interested candidates with backgrounds in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Metallurgy are encouraged to apply.

Send your CV / Proposal

Lab in Action

A glimpse into our research environment and group activities at IIT Hyderabad.

Synthesis Setup in the Lab
Characterization Equipment
UV-Vis Spectroscopy in Action

Teaching

Professor Atul Suresh Deshpande has a long-standing commitment to education at IITH, having served in the MSME department since 2011.

Course Level Focus Area Credits
Post-Graduate (PhD/M.Tech) Biomaterials: Materials in Medicine Corrosion 3
Undergraduate (B.Tech) Materials Chemistry 4

Contact

Office:405, Department of Materials Science & Metallurgical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi 502285, Telangana, India.

Email: atuldeshpande@msme.iith.ac.in

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