Faculty Profile

Dr Nur Uddin Ahamad

Professor

Contact Information

  • Office Address: Department of Chemistry, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh
  • Phone: +8801940174653
  • Email: [email protected]

Research Profile Links

Biography

Dr. Nur U. Ahamad is currently working as a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh and serving as a member of University Ranking Committee, SUST. He received his BSc (awarded with Chancellor’s Gold Medal) and MSc (Physical) in Chemistry from SUST where he started his career as a lecturer in 2004.

He obtained his PhD in 2012 from the Department of Chemistry at Carleton University in Canada. His PhD thesis focused on fabrication of 2D assemblies of metal nanostructures, with optimized size, shape, and composition, as a platform for plasmonic sensors. After completion of his PhD, he moved back to his home country to establish his own research lab. He received several research projects funded by national funding agencies like SUST-research center, UGC, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology.

As a potential young researcher, he was awarded a fellowship to attend the JSPS-HOPE Meeting with Nobel Laureates in 2016 in Japan. In the same year, he achieved the Fulbright Visiting Scholar fellowship to work in the Department of Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University, USA. There, he worked with Professor Howard D. Fairbrother on fabricating environmentally benign fire-retardant textiles. His active field of research involves innovation of smart textile products, modification of nanocellulose for biomedical application, and synthesis of inorganic nanostructures for environmental remediation and energy production.


Dr. Ahamad is presently engaged in collaborative research with 

  1. Andrew J. Wilson (Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, USA),
  2. Chen Wang (Department of Chemistry, Queens College, City University of New York, USA), and
  3. Howard Fairbrother (Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, USA).

Dr. Ahamad is associated with several scientific organizations like American Chemical Society, Canadian Society for Chemistry, Bangladesh Chemical Society, JSPS-HOPE and Fulbright Associations. He is the founding advisor of the ACS International Student Chapter, SUST and he is a selected mentor of Fulbright Mentorship Program 2024, Department of State, USA. He is also a reviewer of the Journal of Plasmonics and Journal of Bio-photonics.

Education

  • PhD in Chemistry, Carleton University, Canada
  • MSc in Physical Chemistry, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh.
  • BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Research Interests

  • Plasmonic Solar Cell Platform
  • Polymer Nanocomposite
  • Nano-catalysts
  • Optics and Nano-photonics
  • Thin films and Nanotechnology
  • Energy and Material Science
  • Functional Nano-cellulose and Biomedical applications

Active Research Project

  • 1. Design and realization of plasmonic solar cell platform (SUST Research Center, UGC and MOST R & D Grants)
  • 2. Fabrication of Hybrid Carbon Nanotubes-Polymer Nanocomposites for Sustainable Flame Retardant Textiles (SUST Research Center Grant)
  • 3. Inclusion of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) on sulphonic acid (-SO3H) grafted graphene oxide (HO3S-GO) to prepare catalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFCs) (SUST Research Centre, MOST and BEPRC)
  • 4. Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose Phosphate as Novel Biomedical for Bone Tissue Engineering. (SUST Research Centre and MOST Grant 2024-25).

Previous Research Project

  • 1. Methods development for surface functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and creating CNTs/polymers composites for novel textile products ( SUST Research Center and UGC Grants)
  • 2. Hot Electron Generation at metal-metal oxide interface for new generation solar cell (MOST Grant)
  • 3. Fabrication of Noble Cellulose-Metal Oxide Biocomposites and Studying Their Antimicrobial Activity (SUST Research Center Grant)

External Affiliations

  • Carleton University, Canada
  • Johns Hopkins University, USA
  • Fulbright Association of Bangladesh, BD
  • JSPS-HOPE Meeting, Japan
  • University of Louisville, USA
  • Queens College, City University of New York, NY, USA

Journal Publications

  • 1. Optimizing shell thickness of Ag@TiO2 nanostructures by a simple top-down method to engineer effective SERS substrate and photocatalyst. (2025)
  • 2. Preparation of Nanostructured Iron Oxide Particles and Their Surface Functionalization with Oleic Acid, APTMS and Silver Nanoparticles, (2019)
  • 3. Fabrication of 2D and 3D architectures with silver nanostructures building blocks and studying its refractive index sensitivity, (2018)
  • 4. A Simple Approach to Engineer SERS Substrates and Plasmonic Thin Film, (2014)
  • 5. Distance dependent surface enhanced Raman and fluorescence by supported 2D assembly of plasmonic metal nanoparticles. (2013)
  • 6. Patterning silver nanotubes in monolayers using phase separated lipids as templates (2012)
  • 7. Silver modified platinum surface/H+ conducting Nafion membrane for cathodic reduction of nitrate ions. (2012)
  • 8. Optimizing Refractive Index Sensitivity of Supported Silver Nanotubes. (2012)
  • 9. Using Phospholipids to Control Interparticle Distance in SERS-Active Substrates (2011)
  • 10. Self-optimized Metal Coatings for Fiber Plasmonics by Electroless Deposition (2011)
  • 11. In-situ monitoring of the formation of nanoscale polyelectrolyte coating on optical fibers using surface plasmon resonances. (2010)
  • 12. Plasmonics on Optical Fibers: New Tools for Biochemical Sensing. (2009)
  • 13. Comparative photocatalytic studies of degradation of a cationic dye and an anionic dye (2005)

Conference

  • 1. Nur Uddin Ahamad, Studying Thermal property of surface modified carbon nanotubes and polymer composite for developing fire retardant textiles, ACS Fall 2025, August 17-21, 2025_Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC (2025)
  • 2. Nur Uddin Ahamad, Tuning of surface plasmon excitation in engineered Ag@TiO2 core-shell nanostructure and its application in SERS and plasmonic photocatalysis - March 23-27, 2025_ACS Spring 2025, San Diego, CA & Virtual (2025)
  • 3. Nur Uddin Ahamad, Design & Realization of Plasmonic Solar Cell Platform, Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Research, Innovation & Education 2023 (ICERIE), January 12-14, Sylhet, Bangladesh. (2023)
  • 4. Nur Uddin Ahamad, Optimizing deposition of platinum nanoparticles on functionalized graphene. 1st International Conference on Nano-bio and Advanced Materials Engineering (NAME), January 7-8, 2023_Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. (2023)
  • 5. Nur Uddin Ahamad, Fabrication of Cellulose Metal Oxide Composite and Studying Its Antimicrobial Activity, 6th International Conference on Engineering Research, Innovation and Education, 2021 (2021)
  • 6. Nur Uddin Ahamad, Exploring Nanoscale Gold Film on Optical Fiber Using Atomic Force Microscope, Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Research, Innovation & Education, 2021 (2021)
  • 7. Nur Uddin Ahamad, Fabrication of Composite Films Consisted of Silicon Modified Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (Si – CNTs) and Polystyrene (PS), 6th International Conference on Engineering Research, Innovation and Education, 2021 (2021)
  • 8. Near – Field Scanning Optical Microscopy Studies of the Flurescence Enhancement on the Surface of Metal nanoparticles. (2007)

Teaching

  • SUST (2004-Present): Undergraduate Courses (CHE 101 General Chemistry, CHE 221 Thermodynamics, CHE 222 Lab, CHE 322 Chemical Spectroscopy, CHE 421 Quantum Chemistry and Statistical Mechanics, CHE 422 Solid State Chemistry and Crystallography), Graduate Courses: CHE 562 Advanced Topics on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
  • Carleton University ( Teaching Assistant 2006-2011):CHEM-1000 Introduction to Chemistry, CHEM-3107 Nano Science

Awards & Recognition

  • Fulbright Visiting Scholar Fellowship-2016, Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, USA
  • JSPS-HOPE Fellowship-2015
  • Vice Chancellor's Medal for out standing result in MSc (1999 Batch)
  • Chancellor’s Gold Medal for out standing Result in BSc (1996 Batch)
  • Founding Faculty Advisor, ACS International Student Chapter, SUST (2023-Date)
  • Mentor, Fulbright Mentorship Program 2024, Department of State, USA
  • ACS Outstanding Student Communities Award (ACS International Student Chapter, SUST) 2023-2024, American Chemical Society

Graduate Supervision

  • 1. Md. Jahedul Islam M.Sc. Session: 2000-2001 (Reg. No 2000120056) Thesis Title: Studies on Degradation of Procyon red in aqueous solution with advanced oxidation method. Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Burara Shaheed Smrity Government College, Cumilla.
  • 2. Abu Bin Imran, PhD M.Sc. Session: 2001-2002 (Reg. No 2001120075) Thesis Title: Kinetic investigation on the TiO2-catalysed photodegradation and alkaline fading of crystal violet in aqueous medium. Current Position: Associate Professor, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka.
  • 3. Md. Saydul Islam Khan M.Sc. Session: 2003-4 (BSc Reg. No. 0099130085) Thesis Title: Preparation and Characterization of Composite Transition Metal Oxide Catalyst for Degradation of Organic Pollutants and Oxidation of Hydrocarbon. Current Position: Faculty Member, Brahmanbaria Govt. College
  • 4. Moinul Haque Choudhury, PhD MSc Session: 2003-4 (BSc Reg. No. 0099130088) Thesis Title: Preparation and characterization of transition metal oxide catalysts for degradation of organic pollutants and oxidation of hydrocarbon. Current position: process Development Engineer, Micron technology, Idaho, USA.
  • 5. Mohammad Al-Amin Special Invited student M.Sc. Session: 2007 – 08 (Reg No: 2007121042) Research Topic: Studying optical properties of plasmonic thin films. Current position: PhD Candidate, Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, USA.
  • 6. Nur-E-Jannat, M.Sc. Session: 2011 – 2012 (Reg. No. 2011121034) Thesis Title: Synthesis and Characterization of Bifunctional Nanocomposite Consisted of Plasmonic Silver Nanoparticles and Magnetic Fe3O4 Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Dhaka City College, Bangladesh.
  • 7. Abdul Halim MSc Session: 2013-14 (Reg. No 2013121013) Thesis Title: Preparation and Surface Functionalization of Iron-oxide (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles for Removal of Toxic Lead Ion. Current position: PhD Candidate, Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA.
  • 8. Muhammad Raek Zaman MSc Session: 2016-17 (Reg No:2016121017) Thesis Title: In Situ Deposition of CuO within Lignocellulose Matrix Current position: Station Controller, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
  • 9. Mahi Ahmad, B.Sc. Honors Student Registration No: 2014131088 Session: 2014-15 Thesis Title: Fabrication of cellulose-metal oxide composite and studying its antimicrobial activity. Current position: PhD Candidate, Department of Chemistry, Tulane University, USA
  • 10. Salah Uddin Ahmed Sobuj MSc Session 2017-18 (Reg No. 2017121010) Thesis title: Fabrication of CNT/polymer composite and studying its thermal property. Current position: Quality Control Officer, Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Gazipur, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • 11. Al-Amin M.Sc Session: 2018-19, Reg no-2018121008. Thesis Title: Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Fe3O4 and its derivatives CoFe2O4 and NiCoFe2O4 and Studying their Catalytic and Antimicrobial Activity. Current position: Executive Assistant James Finlay Tea Company (BD) Limited.
  • 12. Abu Sayam Sadik B.Sc. Session: 2018 – 19 (Reg. No. 2018131035) Thesis Title: Fabrication of functional nanocellulose and its Biomedical application. Current Position: Current Position: M.Sc. Research Student, Department of Chemistry, SUST
  • 13. Mohiuddin Mahin B.Sc. Session: 2017 – 18 (Reg. No. 2017131045) Thesis Title: Opto-electronic properties of plasmonic nanostructures. Current Position: Current Position: M.Sc. Research Student, Department of Chemistry, SUST
  • 14. Asequr Rahman BSc Session: 2017-18, Reg no-2017131046. Thesis title: Optical properties of silver nanoparticles with different morphologies. Current position: M.Sc. Research student, Department of Chemistry, SUST
  • 15. Mahabubur Rahman M.Sc Session: 2019 – 2020 (Reg. No. 2019121031) Project Title: Design and Realization of Plasmonic Solar Cell Platform. Current position: UGC Research Assistant, SUST
  • 16. Habibur Rahman, President - ACS International Student Chapter, SUST B.Sc. Session: 2019-20 (Reg. No. 2019131125) Thesis Title: Design and synthesis of catalysts for the lignin valorization. Current Position: M.Sc. Research Student, Department of Chemistry, SUST
  • 17. Fariha Sanjida, Vice - president - ACS International Student Chapter, SUST B.Sc. Session: 2019-20 (Reg. No. 2019131104) Thesis Title: In-situ deposition of bioactive nanomaterial in nanocellulose matrix for engineering hygienic textiles. Current Position: M.Sc. Research Student, Department of Chemistry, SUST
  • 18. Md. Ali Akbar Sabbir, M.Phil. Session: 2023-24 (Reg. No. 2023151005) Thesis Title: Morphology Dependent Plasmonic Properties of Metal/Metal Oxide Nanostructures and their Application in Molecular Detection.
  • 19. Ramkrishna Saha, Ph.D Session: 2023-24 (Reg. No. 2023161001) Thesis Title: Mechanochemical Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles and Their Applications.