Dr. Momal AkramEnvironmental & Analytical Chemistry

Publications

Peer-reviewed research in internationally indexed journals: breaking down pollutants with visible-light photocatalysts, capturing them with low-cost green biosorbents, and making nanomaterials through plant-mediated green synthesis. My name is shown in bold. The full record is on Google Scholar ↗.

Papers per year

2019 to 2026, plus one article in press · hover a bar for details

Theme 01

Photocatalysis & green nanomaterials

Doped zirconia photocatalysts that break down dyes and pharmaceuticals under visible light, and plant-mediated routes to zirconium nanomaterials.

  1. Zr nanohybridsAloe barbadensis-mediated synthesis
    Studied against
    • CCl₄-induced liver toxicity
    In pressBioNanoScienceIF 3.2

    Aloe barbadensis-Mediated Green Synthesis of Zirconium Nanohybrids for Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

    Nagra, S. I., Akram, M., Iftikhar, T., & Raja, M.

    • Green synthesis
    • Zirconium nanohybrids
    • Aloe vera
    • Hepatoprotection
    • In vivo study
    Co-author · 2nd author Accepted, in press
  2. Zn–Mo / ZrO₂Co-doped visible-light photocatalyst
    Degrades
    • Congo Red (textile dye)
    • Ciprofloxacin (antibiotic)
    2026Chemical Papers, 1–23IF 2.5

    Synergistic effect of Zn and Mo co-doping in ZrO₂ for efficient photodegradation of Congo Red and Ciprofloxacin under visible irradiation

    Tahir, S., Akram, M., Salman, M., Ahmad, B., Farooq, U., & Ali, F.

    Photocatalytic mechanism of Zn–Mo co-doped ZrO₂ degrading Congo Red and ciprofloxacin
    Proposed mechanism: reactive oxygen species (•OH, •O₂⁻) generated under LED light mineralize Congo Red and ciprofloxacin.
    • Photocatalysis
    • Co-doping
    • Zirconia (ZrO₂)
    • Visible light
    • Dye degradation
    • Pharmaceutical pollutants
    Co-author · 2nd author Read paper (DOI) ↗
  3. V / ZrO₂Vanadium-doped zirconia
    Treats
    • Dye-loaded wastewater
    2026Iranian Journal of Catalysis, 16(2), 218–237IF 2.5

    Vanadium-Doped Zirconia as an Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalyst for Advanced Treatment of Dye-Loaded Wastewater

    Tahir, S., Waheed, F., Akram, M., Salman, M., Farooq, U., Saleem, S., & Ehsan, A.

    Sol–gel synthesis route for zirconia photocatalyst
    Synthesis route: gel formation, aging, sonication, filtration and calcination to ZrO₂.
    • Photocatalysis
    • Vanadium doping
    • Zirconia
    • Visible light
    • Advanced wastewater treatment
    Co-author · 3rd author Read paper (DOI) ↗
Theme 02

Green biosorption

Low-cost biosorbents made from plant biomass and biowaste, chemically modified to capture dyes and toxic metal ions — with full kinetic, isotherm and mechanism studies.

  1. Native biosorbentSingle & two-component systems
    Removes
    • Lead · Pb²⁺
    • Cadmium · Cd²⁺
    2023Desalination and Water Treatment, 290, 82–93IF 1.254

    Sorptive activity of potential native biosorbent for the elimination of lead and cadmium in one and two-component systems: characterization, kinetic activity, and mechanism exploration

    Wahab, A., Akram, M., Salman, M., Shakoor, A., Tahir, S., Farooq, U., & Majeed, M.

    Xanthation process of Phaseolus vulgaris biomass
    Xanthation of Phaseolus vulgaris biomass: carbonization, alkalization, xanthation and Mg substitution.
    • Biosorption
    • Heavy metals
    • Binary systems
    • Kinetics
    • Mechanism
    Co-author · 2nd author Find paper ↗
  2. Modified T. alexandrinumChemically modified clover biomass
    Removes
    • Chromium · Cr(III)
    2022Desalination and Water Treatment, 246, 212–225IF 1.254

    Biosorption activity of chemically modified Trifolium alexandrinum for the detoxification of Cr(III) contaminated water

    Saleem, U., Akram, M., Salman, M., Farooq, U., Dar, A., & Tahir, S.

    Methanol, formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde modification of Trifolium alexandrinum
    Modification mechanism: methanol, formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde treatments of T. alexandrinum.
    • Biosorption
    • Chemical modification
    • Chromium
    • Water detoxification
    Co-author · 2nd author Find paper ↗
  3. H. adenophyllum biowasteLow-cost biosorbent
    Removes
    • Gentian Violet (dye)
    2021Journal of Chemistry, 1–12IF 2.08

    Kinetic and isothermal investigations of cost-effective sorptive elimination of Gentian Violet dye from water using Haplophragma adenophyllum biowaste

    Akram, M., Salman, M., Rehman, R., Farooq, U., Tahir, S., & Nazir, H.

    Possible mechanism routes of Gentian Violet removal by Haplophragma adenophyllum biowaste
    Possible routes by which Gentian Violet binds to H. adenophyllum bark.
    • Biosorption
    • Dye removal
    • Kinetics
    • Isotherms
    • Biowaste valorisation
    First author Find paper ↗
  4. Phthalate–S. bicolorFunctionalized sorghum biosorbent
    Removes
    • Alizarin Red S (dye)
    • Bromophenol Blue (dye)
    2020Desalination and Water Treatment, 190, 383–392IF 1.254

    Phthalate-functionalized Sorghum bicolor L.: an effective biosorbent for the removal of Alizarin Red S and Bromophenol Blue dyes from simulated wastewater

    Akram, M., Salman, M., Farooq, U., Saleem, U., Tahir, S., Nazir, H., & Arsalan, H. M.

    SEM micrographs of the Sorghum bicolor biosorbent at 500×
    SEM micrographs (500×) of the sorghum biosorbent.
    • Biosorption
    • Surface functionalisation
    • Dye removal
    • Simulated wastewater
    First author Find paper ↗
  5. Citric acid–B. spectabilisSustainable, cost-effective biosorbent
    Removes
    • Lead · Pb²⁺
    2019Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 230(12), 303IF 3.8

    Citric acid functionalized Bougainvillea spectabilis: a novel, sustainable, and cost-effective biosorbent for removal of Pb²⁺ from wastewater

    Nazir, H., Salman, M., Athar, M., Farooq, U., Wahab, A., & Akram, M.

    Citric acid modification of Bougainvillea spectabilis and Pb²⁺ binding mechanism
    Citric acid adds carboxyl groups that capture Pb²⁺ through electrostatic interaction and ion exchange.
    • Biosorption
    • Citric acid modification
    • Lead removal
    • Wastewater
    Co-author Find paper ↗
  6. B. spectabilis stalks & leavesNovel plant biosorbent
    Removes
    • Cadmium · Cd(II)
    • Copper · Cu(II)
    2019Desalination and Water Treatment, 148, 222–228IF 1.254

    A novel biosorbent Bougainvillea spectabilis stalks leaves for removal of Cd(II) and Cu(II) from wastewater

    Nazir, H., Salman, M., Athar, M., Farooq, U., Akram, M., & Saleem, N.

    FTIR spectrum of Bougainvillea spectabilis biomass
    FTIR spectrum of the biomass, showing the hydroxyl, carbonyl and alkyl binding groups.
    • Biosorption
    • Heavy metals
    • Cadmium
    • Copper
    Co-author · 5th author Find paper ↗
Service

Peer-review service

Reviewer for Springer Nature journals across microbiology, analytical chemistry, water science, and environmental nanotechnology. Certificates are on the News page.

  • Scientific Reports2 manuscripts · 2023
  • Microchimica Acta2025
  • Archives of Microbiology2023
  • Water Conservation Science and Engineering2023
  • Nanotechnology for Environmental Engineering2025
Let’s connect

Research collaborations, invited talks & academic opportunities

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