Priyanka Sharma

Sustainable Methods to Extract Micro to Nano Structured Cellulose.

Cellulose is the most abundant, renewable, sustainable biopolymer on the earth. It can be extracted from all types of plant species, bacteria, tunicates, etc. Especially, in plant species, this polymer exists along with other components (e.g., hemicellulose, lignin). All components have their own importance and role in plant structure. Their extraction in individual form can be a platform to develop a wide range of vital chemical moieties for a variety of applications. Our research is mainly focused on the extraction and application of cellulose polymer for advanced applications (water purification and energy storage). For this, our primarily aim is to develop the processes which can not only perform the extraction of cellulose but also its functionalization together in a one-pot. For example: Recently, we have developed a simpler and cost-effective Nitro-oxidation method that can efficiently cause the pretreatment and oxidation of raw biomass together in a one-pot into the nanostructured carboxylated cellulose.  A particular emphasis will be on upcycling the agricultural waste, invasive grasses into the valuable substrates (e.g.: functionalized micro or nano structured cellulose).  

Sustainable Technologies for Water Purification

Membrane technology remains to be the most energy-efficient process to remove contaminants from water. Instead of this, the current membrane technology including the relatively expensive synthetic substrate is often unaffordable and non-sustainable for the bottom-line community in our society.  It is plausible that cellulose-based membranes developed from inexpensive, abundant, and sustainable resources (such as agriculture residues, underutilized biomass waste) can substantially lower the cost of membrane separation.  Our aim is to develop the different strategies to activate and functionalize the cellulose substrate (this research is planned to extend to other natural polymers e.g., chitin, alginates) to create the surficial charge and to enhance the surface area without scarifying its strength for its utilization in primary and secondary steps of water purification. The primary step involves its use as a coagulant/flocculant and the secondary step includes its utilization as a membrane substrate.

Sustainable Nanomaterials in Energy Storage Application

We are interested in finding the appropriate approaches to develop the micro or nanostructured pure cellulose-based membrane or composite membrane for their utilization in proton-exchange fuel cell membranes. The only commercial proton exchange membrane used is Nafion, a fluoropolymer that conducts protons via sulfonic acid groups. Unfortunately, the limitations associated with Nafion include: (i) high cost; (ii) susceptibility to hydrogen gas crossover; (iii) complex recycling process; (iv) loss of performance (proton conductivity and mechanical stability) at a low relative humidity (RH) and high temperature.   Our aim is to develop a biopolymer-based membrane with high proton conductivity, high wet mechanical strength, and high thermal stability. In this direction, this project requires research in chemical modification of polymer and post-treatment of the membrane

Articles in Scientific Journals

1.   Sharma, P. R., Chattopadhyay, A., Sharma, S.K., Geng, L.; Amiralian, N.; Martin, D., Hsiao, B.S. (2018). Nanocellulose from spinifex as an effective adsorbent .to remove cadmium (II) from water. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 6(3), 3279-3290.
2.   Sharma, P. R., Chattopadhyay, A., Chengbo, Z., Sharma, S. K., Hsiao, B.S. (2018). Lead removal from water using carboxycellulose nanofibers prepared by the nitro-oxidation approach. Cellulose, 25(3), 1961-1973.
3.   Sharma, P. R., Chattopadhyay, A., Sharma, S. K., Hsiao, B.S. (2017). Efficient removal of UO22+ from waterusing carboxycellulose nanofibers prepared by the Nitro-oxidation method. Eng. Chem. Res., 56(46), 13885-13893.
4.   Sharma, P.R., Joshi, , Sharma, S. K., Hsiao, B.S. (2017). A simple Approach to prepare Carboxycellulose Nanofibers from Raw Biomass. Biomacromolecules, 18(8), 2333-2342.
5.   Geng, , Li, L., Mi, H.Y., Chen, B.Y., Sharma, P.R., Ma, H.; Hsiao, B.S., Peng, X.F.; Tairong, K. (2017).Superior Impact Toughness and Excellent Storage Modulus of Poly(lactic acid) foams reinforced by shish-kebab nanoporous structure. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 9(25), 21071-21076.
6.   Geng, L.; Peng, X.; Zhan, C.; Naderi, A.; Sharma, P. R.; Mao, Y.; Hsiao, B. S. (2017). Structure Characterization of Cellulose Nanofiber Hydrogel as Functions of Concentration and Ionic Strength. Cellulose, 24, 5417- 5429.
7.   Sharma, P.R., Kamble, S., Sarkar, D., Anand, A., Varma, A.J. (2016). Shape and Size Engineered Cellulosic Nanomaterials as a Broad Spectrum Anti-Microbial and Anti-Tuberculosis Compounds Drugs. J. Biol. Macromol., 87, 460-465.
8.   Sharma, P.R., Trimukhe, K.D., Varma, A.J. (2015). Spherical Shaped Nanoparticles of Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives. A Short Review. Trends Carbohydr. Res., 7(3),1-5.
9.   Sharma, P.R., Varma, A.J. (2014). Thermal Stability of Cellulose and their Nanoparticles: Effect of Incremental increases in Carboxyl and Aldehyde Carbohydr. Polym., 114, 339-343.
10.   Sharma, P.R., Varma, A.J., Rajamohanan, P.R. (2014). Supramolecular Transitions in Native Cellulose I during Progressive Oxidation Reaction leading to Quasi-Spherical Nanoparticles of 6-Carboxycellulose. Polym., 113, 615-623.
11.   Sharma, P.R., Trimukhe, K.D., Varma, A.J. (2013). Some Aspects of Cellulose Hydrolysis. Trends Carbohyr. Res., 5(2), 7-11.
12.   Sharma, P.R., Varma, A.J. (2013). Functionalized celluloses and their Nanoparticles: Morphology, Thermal Properties, and Solubility Studies. Polym., 104, 135-142. 
13.   Appeared in top 10 articles in the domain of BIOMEDLIB Article
14.   Sharma, P.R., Varma, A.J. (2013). Functional Nanoparticles obtained from Cellulose: Engineering the Shape and Size of 6-Carboxycellulose. Commun., 49, 8818-8820.
15.   Sharma, P. R; Zheng, B.; Sharma, S. K.; Zhan, C.; Wang, R., Bhatia, S.; Hsiao, B. S. (2018). High aspect ratio carboxcelluose nanofibers extracted using nitro-oxidation method and their nanopaper properties. ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 1(8), 3960-3980.
16.   Sharma, P. R; Sharma, S. K.; Antoine, R.; Hsiao, B. S. (2019). Efficient Removal of Arsenic Using ZincOxide Nanocrystals Decorated Regenerated Microfibrillated Cellulose Scaffolds. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 7(6), 6140-6151.
17.   Chengbo, Z.; Sharma, P. ; Geng, L.; Sharma, S. K.; Wang, R.; Joshi, R. (2019). Structural Characterization of Carboxylated Nanofibers extracted from underutilized sources.  Sci. China Technol. Sc. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-018-9437-0
18.   Wang, R.; Rosén, T.; Zhan, C.; Chodankar, S.; Chen, J.; Sharma, P.; Sharma, S.; Liu, T.; Hsiao, B. S. ((2019). Morphology and Flow Behavior of Cellulose Nanofibers Dispersed in Glycols. Macromolecules. 52(15), 5499-5509.
19.   Wang L.; Zuo, X.; Raut, A.; Isseroff, R.; Xue, Y.; Zhou, Y.; Sandhu, B.; Schein, T.; Zeliznyak, T.; Sharma, P.; Sharma, S.; Hsiao, B. S.; Rafailovich, M. H. (2019). Operation of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells using Natural Cellulose Fiber Membranes. Sust. Energy Fuels, 3, 2725-2732.
20.   Hui, C.; Sharma, S.; Sharma, P. R.; Heidi, Y.; Johnson, K.; Hsiao, B. S. (2019). Arsenic (III) Removal by Nanostructured Dialdehyde Cellulose-Cysteine Microscale and Nanoscale Fibers. ACS Omega, 2019, 4, 26, 22008-22020.
21.   Zhan, C.; Li, Yanxiang; Sharma, P. R.; He, Hongrui; Sharma, S.; Wang, R.; Hsiao, B. (2019) A Study of TiO2 Nanocrystal Growth and Environmental Remediation Capability of TiO2/CNC Nanocomposites. RSC Adv. 9, 40565-40576.
22.   Sharma, R.; Sharma, S. K.; Lindstrom, T.; Hsiao, B. S. (2019). Nanocellulose‐Enabled Membranes for Water Purification: Perspectives. Advanced Sustainable Systems 4(5), 1900114.https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.201900114 (This work selected for Cover Image)
23.   Sharma, S. K.; Sharma, P. R.*; Lin, S.; Chen, H.; Johnson, K.; Wang, R.; Borges, W.; Zhan, C.; Hsiao, B. S. Nanomaterials 10 (4), 706.
24.   Zhan, C.; Sharma, P. R.; He, Hongrui; Sharma, S.; McCauley-Pearl, Alexis; Wang, R.; Hsiao, B. S. (2020). Rice Husk Nanocellulose as Effective Adsorbent for Lanthanum(III) Recovery and Lead(II) Removal. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 6, 3080-3090.
25.   Geng, L., Mittal, N.; Zhan, C.; Ansari, F.; Sharma, P.; Peng, X.; Hsiao, B. S.; Söderberg, D. L. (2018). Understanding the Mechanistic Behavior of Cellulose Nanofibers with Different Charge Density in Aqueous Suspensions. Macromolecules 514, 1498-1506

Articles in Books

1.   Rheological properties of jute-based cellulose nanofibers under different ionic Conditions.
Geng, L., Naderi, A., Mao, Y., Zhan, C., Sharma, P.R., Peng, X., Hsiao, B.S. (2017).
Book Title: Nano-celluloses, their Preparation, Properties and Applications. Editor(s): Agarwal,
U.P.; Atalla, R.H.; Isogai, A.
 ACS Symposium Series 1251
Publication Date (Web): October 23, 2017 Copyright © 2017 American Chemical Society ISBN13:
9780841232181
eISBN: 9780841232174 DOI: 10.1021/bk-2017-1251

2.   Cellulose Supported Nanosized Zinc Oxide: Highly efficient Bionanomaterial for removal of arsenic from water.
Sharma, S. K.; Sharma, P. R.; Chen, H.; Johnson, K., Zhan, C.; Hsiao, B. S. (2020)
Book Title: Current Status of Environmental Research on Water Contaminants.
Editor(s): Ahuja, S.
ACS Symposium Series DOI: 10.1021/bk-2020-1352.ch012

3.   Remediation of UO22+ from Water by Nitro-oxidized Carboxycellulose Nanofibers: Performance and Mechanism
Sharma, P. R.; Sharma, S. ; Borges, W.; Chen, H.; Hsiao, B.
Book Title: Current Status of Environmental Research on Water Contaminants.
Editor(s): Ahuja, S.
ACS Symposium Series DOI: 10.1021/bk-2020-1352.ch013

4.   Cellulose Nanofibers for Sustainable Separations
Sharma, P. R.; Huang, X.; Yang, M.; Sharma, S. ; Hsiao, B.
Book Title: Sustainable Separation Engineering
Editor(s): Gyorgy Szekely
Wiley (accepted on 30 Nov. 2020)

Patents

1.   Varma, A.J., Sharma, P.R., Sarkar, D. (2016). Synthesis of nanostructured carboxycellulose from non- wood cellulose. US Patent 10,017,583 B2. Granted, Publication date: 10 July 2018
2.   Hsiao, B.S., Chu, B., Sharma, P.R. (2015). Production of carboxylated nanocelluloses. US Patent 20180086851A1. Publication date: 29 March 2018
3.   Hsiao, B. S., Sharma, P.R. (2017). Purified agents derived from raw biomass. United States Provisional Application Serial No. 62/567,450. Filed October 3, 2017
4.   Hsiao, B. S., Sharma, P.R.,Sharma, S. K., Johnson, K. (2018). Nitrogen removal and nitrogen salts recovery using carboxylated cellulose extracted by nitro-oxidation method PCT/US19/48603 filed on 28 August 2019.
5.   Hsiao, B. S., Sharma, S. K., Sharma, P.R.,Johnson, K. (2018). Removal of negatively charged impurities using metal-cellulose fiber composite. Technology Reference Number-050-9037.
6.   Hsiao, B. S., Sharma, S. K., Sharma, P.R., (2018). Cellulose based substrate derived from biomass to remove Arsenic and other toxic Technology Reference Number-050-9051, Dated 27 December 2018.

Conference Presentations

1.   A simple approach to prepare carboxycellulose nanofibers from untreated biomass and its application. 4^th Edition of International Conference and Exhibition on Polymer Chemistry, EuroSciCon, Rome, Italy. 28-30 March-2019, Poly. Sci. 2019, Volume 5, DOI: 10.4172/2471-9935-C2-021

2.   Nanocellulose scaffold for water purification. American Chemical Society Fall 2019 National Meeting & Expo, Session: Nanomaterials and Sustainability. San Diego (USA), 27 August 2019

3.   Nitro-oxidized carboxycellulose nanofibers. American Chemical Society Fall 2019 National Meeting & Expo, Session: Materials Advances in Nanocellulose Research in Engineered Functionality. San Diego (USA), 28 August 2019.

4.   Nanocellulose derived bionanomaterials for removal of arsenic from drinking International Conference SUSCOM-2019. Amity University, Rajasthan (India), February 26-28, 2019

5.   Nanocellulose for the removal of heavy metal ions from International Conference on global trends & prospects in multidisciplinary research Poddar International College, Rajasthan (India), February 4-7, 2019.

6.   Efficient removal of arsenic from water using regenerated microfibrillated cellulose supported zincoxide/hydroxide. 256th American Chemical Society, division of Cellulose Renewable Material Boston, MA, 19-23 August 2018

7.   A novel one step method to prepare carboxycellulose nanofibers from raw biomass and their applications to remediations for heavy metal TAPPI 2017 PEERS Conference. Norfolk, Virginia (Unite States), 6 November 2017.

8.   A novel one step method to prepare carboxycellulose nanofibers from raw biomass and their applications to remediation for heavy metal 253rd American Chemical Society, Division of Cellulose Renewable Material. San Francisco, CA (United States), 2-6 April 2017.

9.   A novel one step method to prepare carboxycellulose nanofibers from raw biomass and their applications to remediations for heavy metal Early Career Research Symposium 2016 Brookhaven National Laboratory, New York (Unite States), 13 December 2016.

10.  Controlling the shape and size of functionalized cellulosic MACRO 2014
Chiang Mai (Thailand), 6-11 July 2014.

11.  Study the effect of nitro-oxidized cellulose nanofibers on growth of fibroblast and dental pulp cells. ACS Spring 2019 National Meeting & Exposition. Orlando (Florida), March 31-April 4, 2019

12.  One Step Approach for Synthesis of Carboxycellulose Nanofibers from Untreated Biomass.  5 Rajasthan Science Congress (RSC) 2017. Amity University Rajasthan (India), 13-15 October 2017

13.  Study the polymorphic transition in 6-carboxycellulose and their nanoparticles by using derivative thermogravimetric analysis (DTG). RAICS-2015, MNIT Jaipur (India), 21-23 August 2015

14.  Controlling the shape and size of functionalized cellulosic nanoparticles. International conference on challenges in chemistry and biology of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (India), 22 January 2014

15.  Controlling the shape and size of functionalized cellulosic nanoparticles.  National Science Day Celebration 2013  CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune (India), 26-27 February 2013

16.  Functionalization of cellulose via oxidation. II International Indo German Symposium Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai (India), October 2012

teaching

CHE 131/132

CHE 304

CME 101

CME 420

Young Academic Inventor's Award, 2020
Blavatnik Regional Young Scientist Award, 2018

employment History

Research Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 2020-present
Research Scientist, Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 2018-present
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Material Science and Engineering, Stony Brook University, 2019-present
Postdoctoral Associate, Chemistry Department, Stony Brook University, 2015-2018

other appointments

Executive Guest Editor-Current Green Chemistry (an international peer-reviewed journal of publisher Bentham Science), 2020-present
Editorial Board Member-International Journal of Advanced Technology & Science Research, 2019-present
Editorial Board Member-Journal of Renewable Materials, 2019-present
Review Editor- Green and Sustainable Chemistry (specialty section of Frontiers in Chemistry and Frontiers in Environmental Science), 2019-present
Editorial Board Member-special issue on the topic “Polysaccharides” in Polymer Journal., 2020-present
Guest Editor- - special Issue on the topic "Water-Food-Energy Nexus for Sustainable Development” in Sustainability Journal, 2020-present .