Dr. Momal AkramPhotocatalysis & green adsorbents for wastewater treatment

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. Citation counts are on Google Scholar ↗.

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. Ni–Mg–Zr nanocompositeAloe barbadensis-mediated synthesis
    Tested against
    • Malachite green (dye, under UV)
    • Bacteria & a tomato fungus
    2026Chemical Papers, published online 27 Oct 2026

    Aloe barbadensis-mediated green synthesis of trimetallic Ni–Mg–Zr nanocomposites: phytochemical profiling, comprehensive biological evaluation, and photocatalytic malachite green degradation

    Akram, M., Hamza, M., Tahir, S., Ahmad, B., Salman, M., & Nagra, S. I.

    Graphical abstract: Aloe vera-mediated synthesis of a Ni–Mg–Zr nanocomposite, its characterization, and its in vitro bioactivity and photocatalytic decolorization of malachite green
    Graphical abstract: green synthesis with aloe vera extract, characterization (FTIR, SEM–EDX, UV–Vis, XRD), and in vitro activity, including 93.4% decolorization of malachite green in 120 min under UV light.
    • Green synthesis
    • Trimetallic nanocomposite
    • Aloe vera
    • Photocatalysis
    • Antimicrobial
    • Crop protection
    First & corresponding author Read paper (DOI) ↗
  2. Zr nanohybridsAloe barbadensis-mediated synthesis
    Studied against
    • CCl₄-induced liver toxicity
    2026BioNanoScience, 16, 609

    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.

    Graphical abstract: Aloe barbadensis-mediated synthesis of ZrO₂ nanohybrids and their protection against CCl₄-induced liver injury
    Graphical abstract: green synthesis of Aloe barbadensis–ZrO₂ nanohybrids and their hepatoprotective effects against CCl₄-induced liver injury.
    • Green synthesis
    • Zirconium nanohybrids
    • Aloe vera
    • Hepatoprotection
    • Oxidative stress
    • In vivo study
    Corresponding author · 2nd author Read paper (DOI) ↗
  3. Zn–Mo / ZrO₂Co-doped visible-light photocatalyst
    Degrades
    • Congo Red (textile dye)
    • Ciprofloxacin (antibiotic)
    2026Chemical Papers, 1–23

    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) ↗
  4. V / ZrO₂Vanadium-doped zirconia
    Treats
    • Dye-loaded wastewater
    2026Iranian Journal of Catalysis, 16(2), 218–237

    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, 82–93

    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 Read paper (DOI) ↗
  2. Modified T. alexandrinumChemically modified clover biomass
    Removes
    • Chromium · Cr(III)
    2022Desalination and Water Treatment, 246, 212–225

    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 Read paper (DOI) ↗
  3. H. adenophyllum biowasteLow-cost biosorbent
    Removes
    • Gentian Violet (dye)
    2021Journal of Chemistry, 1–12Open access

    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 Free PDF (CC BY 4.0) ↗ Read paper (DOI) ↗
  4. Phthalate–S. bicolorFunctionalized sorghum biosorbent
    Removes
    • Alizarin Red S (dye)
    • Bromophenol Blue (dye)
    2020Desalination and Water Treatment, 190, 383–392

    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 Read paper (DOI) ↗
  5. Citric acid–B. spectabilisSustainable, cost-effective biosorbent
    Removes
    • Lead · Pb²⁺
    2019Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 230(12), 303Most cited

    Citric Acid Functionalized Bougainvillea spectabilis: a Novel, Sustainable, and Cost-effective Biosorbent for Removal of Heavy Metal (Pb²⁺) from Waste Water

    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 Read paper (DOI) ↗
  6. B. spectabilis stalks & leavesNovel plant biosorbent
    Removes
    • Cadmium · Cd(II)
    • Copper · Cu(II)
    2019Desalination and Water Treatment, 148, 222–228

    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 Read paper (DOI) ↗
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 work together

Where would you like to start?

I’m open to postdoctoral and fellowship positions, faculty roles, industry R&D and analytical QC work, and research collaborations.