Connecting Science and Technology for a brighter tomorrow


Name : Dr. Tonkeswar Das
Designation : Scientist
Qualification : Ph.D. (Chemistry)
Contact Details : Ph : 91- 0376-2370121 Extn 2420/2421
Email id : tonkeswar@neist.res.in

Area’s of Interest :
  • Coal & Energy, and Environment Sectors.
  • Resource quality assesment of coal.
  • Coal-to-chemicals and coal-to-products.
  • Clean coal technologies.
  • Coal to building materials and as filler materials
  • Development of carbon-based high reactive carbon materials.
  • Carbon-based nano-lubricant.
  • Development of nano-cluster materials.
  • Waste to wealth.
  • AL & ML in coal & energy Sectors.
Projects:
Ongoing:
  • Carbonaceous Materials for Energy Application and Environmental Consequences in Modern Urbanization (OLP-2077)
  • National Carbonaceous Aerosols Programme (NCAP) Working Group-III project NCAP-WGIII: National Carbonaceous Aerosol Emissions, Source Apportionment and Climate Effects (Funding Agency: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India (MOEFCC, GOI).
  • Development of hybrid battery power module with indigenously developed super-capacitor and Li-ion cell (Funding Agency: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, New Delhi).
Completed:
Funded Projects:
  • Emissions from Coal-based Industries -Development of Predictive models (Funded by: Ministry of Coal, Govt. of India)
  • Desulphurization of High Sulphur NE Indian coals (Funded by: Ministry of Coal, Govt. of India)
  • Development of Feasibility Assessment Model for Adaptation of Underground Coal Gasification Technology in North East Region of India (Funded by: Ministry of Communication and Information Technology)
  • Probing the changing atmosphere and its Impacts in Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) and Himalayan Regions (Project Acronym: AIM-IGPHim) (Funded by: CSIR, New Delhi)
  • Feasibility study on High Pressure Catalytic Conversion of Non-Coking Coals to Produce Synthetic Coking coal (Funded by: TATA Steel, Jamshedpur).
  • Development of Graphene supercapacitors using  Northeastern coal for power applications (Funding Agency: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, New Delhi)
Inhouse Projects:
  • Development of Env. friendly Technologies for gainful Utilization of  high sulphur NE coals (Inhouse Project, Funded by CSIR).
  • Clean Coal initiatives for Northeast Indian Coals (Inhouse Project, Funded by: CSIR, New Delhi).
  • Sustainable Materials and Processes for Energy, Environment and Industry. WP-III: Value-added Products from Northeast Indian Coa, Polymers, and Biomass (Funded by CSIR New Delhi).
Fast-track translational Project (FTT):
  • To develop a scale-up and size-controlled process for producing fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) .
Consultancy Project:
  • Techno-economic studies for manufacturing of Coke Breeze from Konya Coal, Tuensang District, Nagaland (Funded by: DGM, Govt. of Nagaland)
  • Feasibility studies for manufacturing of soil conditioner from coal and coal waste (Funded by: DGM, Govt. of Nagaland)
  • Gradation of NE Indian Coals (Funded by: Coal India Limited, Margherita)
  • Gradation (annual) of NE Indian Coals (Funded by: Coal India Limited, Margherita)
  • Gradation of NE Indian Coals (Annual) (Funded by: Coal India Limited, Margherita)
List of Publications:
  • A novel rapid synthesis of highly stable silver nanoparticle/carbon quantum dot nanocomposites derived from low-grade coal feedstock. Monikankana Saikia, Tonkeswar Das, and Binoy K Saikia. New Journal of Chemistry, 46, 309-321, 2022. IF: 3.951
  • Coal-derived humic acid for application in acid mine drainage (AMD) water treatment and electrochemical devices. Tonkeswar Das, Mousumi Bora, Joyshil Tamuly,  Santhi Maria Benoy, Bimala P. Baruah, Prasenjit Saikia , Binoy K. Saikia . International Journal of Coal Science & Technology (Electronic ISSN: 2198-7823; Print ISSN: 2095-8293), 8, 1479–1490, 2021.
  • Oxidative chemical beneficiation of low-quality coals under low-energy ultrasonic and microwave irradiation: An environmental-friendly approach. Monikankana Saikia, Tonkeswar Das, James C.Hower, Luis F.O.Silvae, Xing Fan, Binoy K.Saikia. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 9 (2), 104830, 2021. IF: 5.909
  • Blue-emitting fluorescent carbon quantum dots from waste biomass sources and their application in fluoride ion detection in water. Anusuya Boruah, Monikankana Saikia, Tonkeswar Das, Rajib Lochan Goswamee, Binoy K Saikia. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology (ISSN 1011-1344), 209, 111940, 2020. IF: 6.252
  • Formation of carbon quantum dots and graphene nanosheets from different abundant carbonaceous materials. Monikankana Saikia, Tonkeswar Das, Nikalabh Dihingia, Xing Fan, Luis F.O. Silva, Binoy K. Saikia, Diamond and Related Materials (ISSN 0925-9635), 106, 10783, 2020. IF: 3.315
  • Environmental and toxicological assessment of nanodiamond-like materials derived from carbonaceous aerosols. Nazrul Islam , Anjum Dihingia,  Prasenjit Manna , Tonkeswar Das, Jatin Kalita, H.P.Deka boruah, Binoy K.Saikia. Science of Total Environment (ISSN: 0048-9697) 679, 209-220, 2019. IF: 7.963.
  • Petrographic controls of coal from Ib valley Basin for carbon nano-products formation. Atul Kumar Varma , Akhandal Sahoo, Binoy K.Saikia, Tonkeswar Das. International Journal of Coal Geology (ISSN 0166-5162), 211 (1), 103211, 2019. IF: 6.806.
  • Blue-fluorescent and biocompatible carbon dots derived from abundant low-quality coals. Tonkeswar Das, Binoy K.Saikia, H.P.Dekaboruah, Manobjyoti Bordoloi, Dipankar Neog, Jayanta J.Bora, Jiumoni Lahkar, Bardwi Narzary, Sonali Roy, Danaboyina Ramaiah . Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology (ISSN 1011-1344), 195, 1-11, 2019. IF: 6.252.
  • Feasibility study of preparation of carbon quantum dots from Pennsylvania anthracite and Kentucky bituminous coals. Monikankana Saikia, James C. Hower, Tonkeswar Das, Trisharani Dutta, Binoy K.Saikia. Fuel (ISSN: 0016-2361), 2019, 243 (1), 433-440. IF: 6.609
  • Retention of antibacterial and antioxidant properties of lemongrass oil loaded on cellulose nanofibre-poly ethylene glycol composite. Disha Mishra, Puja Khare, Dhananjay. K. Singh,  Suaib Luqman,  P.V. Ajay Kumar, AnjuYadav, Tonkeswar Das, B.K.Saikia. Industrial Crops and Products (ISSN 0926-6690), 2018, 114, 68-80. IF: 5.645
  • Copyrolysis of Low-Grade Indian Coal and Waste Plastics: Future Prospects of Waste Plastic as a Source of Fuel. Gitika Rani Saha, Tonkeswar Das, Pranjal Handique, Dipankar Kalita, and Binoy K. Saikia. Energy Fuels (ISSN: 0887-0624 (print); 1520-5029 (web)), 2018, 32 (2), 2421–2431. IF: 3.605
  • Nanodiamonds Produced from Low-Grade Indian Coals. Tonkeswar Das and Binoy K. Saikia. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. (Web Edition ISSN: 2168-0485), 2017, 5 (11), 9619–9624. IF: 8.189
  • Promising carbon nanosheet-based supercapacitor electrode materials from low-grade coals. Tonkeswar Das, Himani Chauhan, Sasanka Deka, Shanky Chaudhary, Ratan Boruah, Binoy K. Saikia. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials (ISSN 1387-1811), 253, 2017, 80-90. IF: 5.455
  • Humi-Fe3O4 nanocomposites from low-quality coal with amazing catalytic performance in reduction of nitrophenols. Tonkeswar Das, Gayatri Kalita, PriyamJyoti Bora, Dipak Prajapati, Gakul Baishya, Binoy K. Saikia. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (ISSN: 2213-3437), 5(2), 1855–1865, 2017. IF: 5.909
  • Formation of onion-like fullerene and chemically converted graphene-like nanosheets from low-quality coals: Application in photocatalytic degradation of 2-nitrophenol. Tonkeswar Das, Purna K. Boruah,  Manash R. Das and    Binoy K. Saikia. RSC Advances (Online only: ISSN 2046-2069), 2016, 6(42), 35177-35190. IF: 3.36
  • Formation of carbon nano-balls and carbon nano-tubes from northeast Indian Tertiary coal: value added products from low grade coal. Tonkeswar Das, B.K. Saikia, B P Baruah. Gondwana Research (ISSN: 1342-937X), 2016, 31, 295-304. IF: 6.051.
  • Thermal behaviour of low-rank Indian coal fines agglomerated with an organic binder. Tonkeswar Das, Bimala P. Baruah, Binoy K. Saikia. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (ISSN: 1388-6150 (print); 1572-8943 (web), 2016, 126(2), 435-446. IF: 4.626.
  • Thermogravimetric and model-free kinetic studies on CO2 gasification of low-quality, high-sulphur Indian coals. Tonkeswar Das, Ananya Saikia, Banashree Mahanta, Rahul Choudhury, Binoy K Saikia. Journal of Earth System Science (Electronic ISSN 0973-774X), 2016, 125 (7), 1365-1377. IF: 1.371
  • Elemental geochemistry and mineralogy of coals and associated coal mine overburden from Makum coalfield (Northeast India). Binoy K. Saikia, Ananya Saikia, Rahul Choudhury, Panpan Xie, Jingjing Liu, Tonkeswar Das, Hari P. Dekaboruah. Environmental Earth Sciences (ISSN: 1866-6280 (print); 1866-6299 (web), 75(8), 2016, DOI: 10.1007/s12665-016-5484-x. IF: 2.784.
  • Effective removal of sulfur components from Brazilian power-coals by ultrasonication (40KHz) in presence of H2O2. Binoy K. Saikia, Adilson C. Dalmora, Rahul Choudhury , Tonkeswar Das, Silvio R. Taffarel , Luis F.O. Silva. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry (ISSN: 1350-4177), 2016, 32,147-157. IF: 7.491
  • A preliminary report on the formation of graphite from sub-bituminous coal during oxidation in H2O2/HCOOH: a new forecast. Binoy K. Saikia, Tonkeswar Das, Bimala P. Baruah. International Journal of Oil Gas and Coal Technology (ISSN online 1753-3317, ISSN print 1753-3309), 2016, 13(3), 292-304. IF: 0.787
  • Agglomeration of low rank Indian coal fines with an organic binder and the thermal behaviour of the agglomerate produced: Part I. Tonkeswar Das, B. K. Saikia, Dileep K Dutta, Dipok Bordoloi, Bimala P Baruah. Fuel (ISSN: 0016-2361), 2015, 147, 269-278. IF: 5.128
  • Size Distribution of Particles in High Sulphur Coal Ash and their Chemistry: A Computer-controlled Scanning Electron Microscopic Study. Binoy K. Saikia , Tonkeswar Das , Bimala P. Baruah. Journal of the Geological Society of India (Electronic ISSN 0974-6889), 2015, 85(2), 206-214. IF: 0.899
  • Characterizations of humic acid isolated from coals of two Nagaland Coalfields of India in relation to their origin.  Tonkeswar Das, B.K. Saikia, B. P. Baruah, Dhurbajyoti Das. Journal of Geological Society of India (Electronic ISSN 0974-6889), 2015, 86, 468-474. IF: 0.899
  • Feasibility Studies for isolation of humic acid from coal of Mongchen Coal field, Nagaland; Tonkeswar Das, Binoy Kumar Saikia and Bimala Prasad Baruah, Journal of Indian Chemical Society, 2013, 90,2007-2014.
  • Emission profile and predictive model for high sulphur low rank coals used in carbonization and combustion units, P Khare, M Sarmah, Tonkeswar Das,  O P Sahu, BP Baruah, Environmental Progress And Sustainable Energy (Online ISSN: 1944-7450), 2012, wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI: 0.1002/ep.11715. IF: 1.989
  • Non recovery coke ovens of North east coals: an attempt for energy utilization, Nilakshi Kakoti, Jayanta J Bora, Tonkeswar Das, Binoy K. Saikia, B. P. Baruah; Int. Journal of Innovative Research & Development (ISSN 2278 0211), 2012, 1, 7, ISSN 2278-0211 (Special Issue), 253-262. IF: 0.981 (IIFS)
  • Coal Combustion Residues from Thermal Power Plants. ArundhotiGogoi, Tonkeswar Das. Journal of Environmental Science Society, Vol.1, No.1, 2013; Page No. 37.
Patents Grant/Filed:
  • Process for the preparation of blue-fluorescence emitting Carbon Dots (CDTs) from sub-bituminous Tertiary High Sulfur Indian Coals. United States Patent No. US 10,655,061 B2 (May 19 ,2020). Inventors: Binoy Kumar Saikia, Tonkeswar Das, Sonali Roy, Bardwi Narzary, Hari Prasana Deka Boruah, Manabjyoti Bordoloi, Junmoni Lahkar, Dipanker Neog, Danaboynia Ramaiah.
  • Fabrication of Blue-fluorescent and non-toxic nanodiamonds (NDs) from atmospheric particulate matters. Pub. No. US2021/0292172 A1. Inventors: Binoy K Saikia, Nazrul Islam, Tonkeswar Das, Jatin Kalita
  • Process for production of activated carbon from sub-bituminous Tertiary high sulfur Indian coals by ultrasonic-assisted chemical activation. Patent Application: 0052NF2020. Inventors:  Binoy K Saikia, Tonkeswar Das, Prasenjit Saikia, Dipankar Neog, Mousmi Bora, Santhi Maria Benoy.
Technology Transferred/Developed and Know-How process:
  • “A process for the preparation of Blue-fluorescence emitting carbon dots (CDs) from sub-bituminous tertiary high-sulfur Indian coals”. 3 years limited license for market analysis agreement with M/s Sigma Aldrich Co., LLC, USA. Confidential disclosure agreement with Sumato Globaltech Pvt. Ltd., Guwahati.
  • Production of Humic Acid from Low-grade coal.
  • Production of Coke-Breeze from Low-grade coal by Agglomeration Technology.
Member of the Professional/ Academic Organizations:
  • Assam Science Society: Life Member (LM-996)
  • Indian Institute of Mineral Engineers (IIME): Life Member (0234)
  • Ellora Vigyan Mancha: Life Member (334)
  • Institute of Scholars (InSc): Life Member (InSc20200629)
Awards, Honours, Appreciation, and Fellowships received:
  • Young Researchers Award 2020, Institute of Scholars (An ISO 9001:2015 certified Institute by International Accurate Certification, Accredited by UASL).
  • Certificate of appreciation for technology development has been awarded in 59th CSIR-NEIST Foundation Day for the year of 2018-2019. Title of Technology: “A process for the preparation of Blue-fluorescence emitting carbon dots (CDs) from sub-bituminous tertiary high-sulfur Indian coals.” Inventors: Dr Binoy Kumar Saikia, Er. Dipankar Neog, Dr H.P. Deka Baruah, Dr. Manabjyoti Bordoloi, Er Jayanta Jyoti Bora, Er Bipul Das, Dr. Tonkeswar Das.
  • My research publication “Formation of carbon nanoballs and carbon nanotubes from northeast Indian Tertiary coal: value-added products from low grade coal. Gondwana Research, 31, 295-304 (2016)” was highlighted by the Nature India as “At the coalface of nanomaterials (doi: 10.1038/ nindia.2017.2 published online 11 January 2017)”.
  • My research publication “Promising carbon nanosheet-based supercapacitor electrode materials from low-grade coals. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 253, 80-90, 2017,” was highlighted by the Nature India as “Coal nanomaterials to make supercapacitors (doi:10.1038/nindia.2017.72 Published online 27 June 2017)”.
  • My research work on the development of Blue-fluorescence  emitting Carbon Dots (CDs)  from sub-bituminous Tertiary high Sulphur Coals was highlighted by news paper ‘The Hindu’ as Cancer cell detection ‘dots’ developed from coal in Assam on June 19, 2019.
Reviewer of the SCI Journals:

  • Served as a recognized reviewer for esteemed and SCI journals specializing in various fields such as coal, energy, environment, and fuel. Some notable journals include Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Science of the Total Environment (STOTEN), Fuel, Energy & Fuel, Environmental Science & Technology, and Fuel Processing, etc.

Talk delivered, Paper/ Posters Presented in National & International Conferences/Symposia/ Seminars Etc.
  • Paper entitled “ Synthesis of carbon nanoparticles and fullerene-like materials from carbonaceous aerosols: A study towards their utilization to make value-added products by Nazrul Islam, Tonkeswar Das, Binoy K Saikia have been poster presented at International Conference on Engineering Science & Technologies for Environmental Care 2020, organized by CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, 20-22 February, 2020.
  • Paper entitled “Derivation of carbon materials from low-quality coal by using ball milling and chemical activation for using as electrode materials in supercapacitor by Tonkeswar Das, Mousumi Bora, Priyam J Bora, Jyoti P Saikia, Binoy K Saikia have been poster presented at XVIII Conference on Mineral Processing Technology, 2019, Organized by IIME-Hyderabad Chapter 16-18 December, 2019.
  • Paper entitled “ Carbonization of low-grade Northeast Indian coal and waste plastics: studies on coke quality and oil yield” by Tonkeswar Das, Gitika Rani Saha, Binoy K Saikia have been oral presented at International Seminar on Mineral Processing Technology 2018 at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, October 10-12, 2018, organized by IIME.
  • Paper entitled “Synthesis of humic acid nanocomposites for catalytic and electrochemical applications” by Tonkeswar Das, Binoy K Saikia have been oral presented at National Seminar on Recent Trends in Environment Responsive Chemical Processes (RTERCP-2017) at D.R. College, Golaghat, Assam, September 22-23, 2017, orgainezed by Department of Chemistry, D.R. College, Golaghat, Assam.
  • Paper entitled “High-quality product from low quality Northeast Indian Coals” by  Tonkeswar Das, Binoy K Saikia have been oral presented at International Seminar on Mineral Processing Technology, organized by IIME Tamil Nadu Chapter, during 1-3 February, 2017 at Radisson Blu Resort, Temple Bay, Mahabalipuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • Paper entitled “Preparation of coal-derived carbon nanomaterials” by Tonkeswar Das, Binoy K Saikia have been presented at Materials Research Society of India Symposium on Advanced materials for sustainable applications, jointly organized by CSRI-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Tezpur University, and IIT Guwahati during 18-21 February, 2016 at CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat.
  • Paper entitled “Thermo-chemical properties of low rank nodulized coal with organic binder” by Tonkeswar Das, B K Saikia, B. P. Baruah have been poster presented at 8th Mid-Year CRSI National Symposium in Chemistry, jointly organized by CSRI-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST) and Tezpur University, during 10-12 July 2014 at CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat.
  • Paper entitled “Combustion characteristics of caustic leached high sulphur coals” by Tonkeswar Das, B K Saikia, P Saikia, B P Baruah have been oral presented at International Seminar and Workshop on Energy, Sustainability and Development (ISWESD-2012) organized by Department of Physics, Sibsagar College incollaboration with CSIR-NEIST on 12th to 14th Oct. 2012.