Venkata Siva Rama Krishna, Tandava

@helmholtz-berlin.de

Post Doctoral Researcher (Department of Materials Chemistry for Catalysis)
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie: Berlin

Venkata Siva Rama Krishna, Tandava


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https://researchid.co/vsrktandava
Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Materials Chemistry for Catalysis and CatLab, specializing in electrochemistry and materials science. Expertise includes the design and fabrication of electrocatalysts for electrochemical CO2 conversion and the design and deployment of electrochemical reactors. Additionally, experienced in conducting mechanistic investigations using advanced characterization techniques. Currently, actively learning the Operando investigation of electocatalysts using the X-Ray Spectroscopic investigations using the Synchrotron facilities at BESSY II Light Source @HZB.

I have a strong background in analytical chemistry, having worked as a Research Assistant at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, where I analyzed edible oils for pesticides and metal contaminants using various analytical techniques using GC, GC-MS, HPLC and ICP-OES. I hold a PhD in Materials Science from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and a Master's Degree in Analytical Chemistry f

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy (Materials Science) 2019-2024

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Electrochemistry, Materials Chemistry, Catalysis, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
4

Scopus Publications

218

Scholar Citations

5

Scholar h-index

4

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Methanol on Copper-Based Catalysts: Mechanistic Insights and Industrial Prospects
    Debabrata Bagchi, Carsten Walter, Venkata S. R. K. Tandava, Yasmin Lucero Cobos‐Becerra, Jack C. Q. Fletcher, et al.
    Advanced Materials, 2026
    Electrochemical CO 2 reduction (ECO 2 R) offers a promising route to convert CO 2 into high‐value‐added chemicals using renewable energy. Among the diverse ECO 2 R products, the selective conversion of CO 2 to methanol (CH 3 OH) holds significant industrial importance as a fuel and chemical feedstock. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in Copper (Cu)‐based catalysts for selective ECO 2 R to CH 3 OH. Key advancements in catalyst design and synthesis are discussed, followed by mechanistic insights obtained through computational modeling and advanced characterization techniques. Special focus is given to the structure‐activity relationship that controls CH 3 OH selectivity, disclosing the importance of intermediate stabilization and electronic structure tuning. Further, state‐of‐the‐art Cu‐based materials and benchmarking their performances under various operating conditions, including the role of electrolyzer configurations, electrolytes, and ion‐exchange membranes, is summarized. Moreover, we analyze challenges in upscaling, such as stability, selectivity under high current densities, and integration with renewable energy sources. Besides, the potential of tandem and hybrid systems to improve reaction pathways is also emphasized. Finally, techno‐economic considerations are explored to evaluate the feasibility of large‐scale CH 3 OH production. By combining fundamental understanding with practical implementation, this review provides strategic direction toward the rational design of Cu‐based electrocatalysts and the development of commercially viable ECO 2 R systems for sustainable CH 3 OH synthesis.
  • Importance of optimising electrodeposition parameters for scalable and cost-effective manufacturing of Cu catalysts for efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction to renewable fuels and chemical feedstocks
    Mayra S. Tovar-Oliva, Venkata S.R.K. Tandava, Franziska Bößl, Valentin C. Menzel, Josaine A. Zarco-Roldán, et al.
    Materials Today Sustainability, 2025
  • Modulating the surface interface of PTFE/Cu-based GDEs to boost the electrochemical conversion of CO2 to C2H4 at ultra-low overpotential
    Venkata S.R.K. Tandava, Mayra S. Tovar-Oliva, Martí Biset-Peiró, Diouldé Sylla, Joan Ramón Morante, et al.
    Applied Catalysis B Environmental, 2025
  • Hydrothermal Fabrication of Carbon-Supported Oxide-Derived Copper Heterostructures: A Robust Catalyst System for Enhanced Electro-Reduction of CO2 to C2H4
    Venkata S. R. K. Tandava, Maria Chiara Spadaro, Jordi Arbiol, Sebastián Murcia‐López, Joan Ramón Morante
    Chemsuschem, 2023
    Anthropogenic CO2 can be converted to alternative fuels and value‐added products by electrocatalytic routes. Copper‐based catalysts are found to be the star materials for obtaining longer‐chain carbon compounds beyond 2e− products. Herein, we report a facile hydrothermal fabrication of a highly robust electrocatalyst: in‐situ grown heterostructures of plate‐like CuO−Cu2O on carbon black. Simultaneous synthesis of copper‐carbon catalysts with varied amounts of copper was conducted to determine the optimum blend. It is observed that the optimum ratio and structure have aided in achieving the state of art faradaic efficiency for ethylene >45 % at −1.6 V vs. RHE at industrially relevant high current densities over 160 to 200 mA ⋅ cm−2. It is understood that the in‐situ modification of CuO to Cu2O during the electrolysis is the driving force for the highly selective conversion of CO2 to ethylene through the *CO intermediates at the onset potentials followed by C−C coupling. The excellent distribution of Cu‐based platelets on the carbon structure enables rapid electron transfer and enhanced catalytic efficiency. It is inferred that choosing the right composition of the catalyst by tuning the catalyst layer over the gas diffusion electrode can substantially affect the product selectivity and promote reaching the potential industrial scale.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Methanol on Copper‐Based Catalysts: Mechanistic Insights and Industrial Prospects
    D Bagchi, C Walter, VSRK Tandava, YL Cobos‐Becerra, JCQ Fletcher, ...
    Advanced Materials, e14994 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 5
  • Importance of optimising electrodeposition parameters for scalable and cost-effective manufacturing of Cu catalysts for efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction to renewable …
    MS Tovar-Oliva, VSRK Tandava, F Bößl, VC Menzel, JA Zarco-Roldán, ...
    Materials Today Sustainability 31, 101116 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 4
  • Modulating the surface interface of PTFE/Cu-based GDEs to boost the electrochemical conversion of CO2 to C2H4 at ultra-low overpotential
    VSRK Tandava, MS Tovar-Oliva, M Biset-Peiró, D Sylla, JR Morante, ...
    Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy 371, 125276 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 12
  • Supporting Information Hydrothermal Fabrication of Carbon-Supported Oxide Derived Copper Heterostructures: A Robust Catalyst System for Enhanced Electro-Reduction of CO2 to C2H4
    VSRK Tandava, MC Spadaro, J Arbiol, S Murcia-López, JR Morante
    Wiley-VCH , 2023
    2023
  • Hydrothermal Fabrication of Carbon‐Supported Oxide‐Derived Copper Heterostructures: A Robust Catalyst System for Enhanced Electro‐Reduction of CO2 to C2H4
    VSRK Tandava, MC Spadaro, J Arbiol, S Murcia‐López, JR Morante
    ChemSusChem 16 (19), e202300344 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 10
  • Two-dimensional Metal Oxide Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 Into Energy-rich Chemicals
    A Das, L Devi, V Tandava, S Manchala
    2022
  • A Novel Strategy for Sustainable Synthesis of Soluble‐Graphene by a Herb Delphinium denudatum Root Extract for Use as Light‐Weight Supercapacitors
    S Manchala, V Tandava, D Jampaiah, SK Bhargava, V Shanker
    ChemistrySelect 5 (9), 2701-2709 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 9
  • Fabrication of a novel ZnIn</sub> 2<//sub> S</sub> 4<//sub>/gC</sub> 3<//sub> N</sub> 4<//sub>/graphene ternary nanocomposite with enhanced charge separation for efficient …
    S Manchala, V Tandava, LR Nagappagari, SM Venkatakrishnan, ...
    Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences 18 (12), 2952-2964 , 2019
    2019
  • Fabrication of a novel ZnIn 2 S 4 /g-C 3 N 4 /graphene ternary nanocomposite with enhanced charge separation for efficient photocatalytic H 2 evolution under solar …
    S Manchala, V Tandava, LR Nagappagari, SM Venkatakrishnan, ...
    Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences 18 (12), 2952-2964 , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 59
  • Novel and highly efficient strategy for the green synthesis of soluble graphene by aqueous polyphenol extracts of eucalyptus bark and its applications in high-performance …
    S Manchala, V Tandava, D Jampaiah, SK Bhargava, V Shanker
    ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 7 (13), 11612-11620 , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 119

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Novel and highly efficient strategy for the green synthesis of soluble graphene by aqueous polyphenol extracts of eucalyptus bark and its applications in high-performance …
    S Manchala, V Tandava, D Jampaiah, SK Bhargava, V Shanker
    ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 7 (13), 11612-11620 , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 119
  • Fabrication of a novel ZnIn 2 S 4 /g-C 3 N 4 /graphene ternary nanocomposite with enhanced charge separation for efficient photocatalytic H 2 evolution under solar …
    S Manchala, V Tandava, LR Nagappagari, SM Venkatakrishnan, ...
    Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences 18 (12), 2952-2964 , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 59
  • Modulating the surface interface of PTFE/Cu-based GDEs to boost the electrochemical conversion of CO2 to C2H4 at ultra-low overpotential
    VSRK Tandava, MS Tovar-Oliva, M Biset-Peiró, D Sylla, JR Morante, ...
    Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy 371, 125276 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 12
  • Hydrothermal Fabrication of Carbon‐Supported Oxide‐Derived Copper Heterostructures: A Robust Catalyst System for Enhanced Electro‐Reduction of CO2 to C2H4
    VSRK Tandava, MC Spadaro, J Arbiol, S Murcia‐López, JR Morante
    ChemSusChem 16 (19), e202300344 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 10
  • A Novel Strategy for Sustainable Synthesis of Soluble‐Graphene by a Herb Delphinium denudatum Root Extract for Use as Light‐Weight Supercapacitors
    S Manchala, V Tandava, D Jampaiah, SK Bhargava, V Shanker
    ChemistrySelect 5 (9), 2701-2709 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 9
  • Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Methanol on Copper‐Based Catalysts: Mechanistic Insights and Industrial Prospects
    D Bagchi, C Walter, VSRK Tandava, YL Cobos‐Becerra, JCQ Fletcher, ...
    Advanced Materials, e14994 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 5
  • Importance of optimising electrodeposition parameters for scalable and cost-effective manufacturing of Cu catalysts for efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction to renewable …
    MS Tovar-Oliva, VSRK Tandava, F Bößl, VC Menzel, JA Zarco-Roldán, ...
    Materials Today Sustainability 31, 101116 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 4
  • Supporting Information Hydrothermal Fabrication of Carbon-Supported Oxide Derived Copper Heterostructures: A Robust Catalyst System for Enhanced Electro-Reduction of CO2 to C2H4
    VSRK Tandava, MC Spadaro, J Arbiol, S Murcia-López, JR Morante
    Wiley-VCH , 2023
    2023
  • Two-dimensional Metal Oxide Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 Into Energy-rich Chemicals
    A Das, L Devi, V Tandava, S Manchala
    2022
  • Fabrication of a novel ZnIn</sub> 2<//sub> S</sub> 4<//sub>/gC</sub> 3<//sub> N</sub> 4<//sub>/graphene ternary nanocomposite with enhanced charge separation for efficient …
    S Manchala, V Tandava, LR Nagappagari, SM Venkatakrishnan, ...
    Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences 18 (12), 2952-2964 , 2019
    2019