Mehran Sajad

@heyrovsky-chair.eu

Department of Nanocatalysis, J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences

Mehran Sajad


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https://researchid.co/mehransajad

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Chemistry, Catalysis, Spectroscopy, Materials Science
6

Scopus Publications

46

Scholar Citations

3

Scholar h-index

2

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Milling-Induced Defects in Ni/Zirconia Catalysts for Enhancing Catalytic Activity in Dry Methane Reforming
    Joanna Elzbieta Olszowka, Volodymyr Sydorchuk, Karolina Simkovicova, Mehran Sajad, Guillaume Clet, Michal Horacek, Graham King, Jan Pasztor, Stefan Vajda
    Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2026
    Alteration of the support structure via milling is a feasible yet rarely applied strategy for boosting the performance of the catalyst in dry methane reforming for syngas production. In this study, we introduce stable oxygen vacancies in the zirconia structure, which enhance the activation of the feedstock, specifically CO2, while preserving the specific surface area and porosity of the material under reaction conditions. The activity of the tested Ni/ZrO2 assemblies shows a clear dependence on the milling intensity of ZrO2, with mild milling at 400 rpm yielding the most active catalyst. At 600 °C, this material achieved the highest feedstock conversion among the tested samples, with 29% for CH4 and 39% for CO2. Spectroscopic characterization indicates that the activity of the tested catalysts is controlled by a partial change in the phase composition of the support from monoclinic to tetragonal under reaction conditions, as well as the nature and population of O2– species, oxygen vacancies, Zr3+ defects, and Ni–ZrO2 interfacial interactions.
  • Low-temperature oxidation of hexagonal boron nitride during oxidative dehydrogenation reactions
    Mehran Sajad, Kateřina Knotková, Roman Bulánek, Ota Bludský, Miroslav Rubeš
    Scientific Reports, 2025
    The low-temperature oxidation of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) during oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP) is investigated using a combination of experimental techniques and theoretical modeling. This study explores the role of gas-phase radicals, such as n-propyl and hydroxyl radicals, in initiating the oxidation process, leading to the formation of oxygen-functionalized h-BN edges. Using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we reveal the mechanism of h-BN oxidation, including hydrogen abstraction, molecular oxygen adsorption, and nitrogen oxide desorption. Experimental results confirm that oxidation occurs only in the presence of both oxygen and propane, demonstrating a critical dependence on reactor geometry on gas-phase radical generation. The oxidation process leads to the incorporation of oxygen into h-BN, forming boron oxyhydroxide phases that influence catalytic activity. These findings provide new insights into h-BN behavior under ODHP conditions and offer guidance for optimizing boron-based catalysts for selective alkane dehydrogenation.
  • Direct dehydrogenation of propane over Pd nanoparticles encapsulated within IPC zeolites with tunable pore sizes
    Mehran Sajad, Yuyan Zhang, Martin Kubů, Michal Mazur, Roman Bulanek, Jiří Čejka
    Applied Materials Today, 2022
  • Imidazolium-type ionic liquid-assisted formation of the MFI zeolite loaded with metal nanoparticles for hydrogenation reactions
    Yuyan Zhang, Ang Li, Mehran Sajad, Katarína Fulajtárová, Michal Mazur, Martin Kubů, Mariya Shamzhy, Milan Hronec, Roman Bulánek, Jiří Čejka
    Chemical Engineering Journal, 2021
  • Physico-chemical changes in the kcl-mgcl2/la-fau composite catalyst induced by oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane
    Mehran Sajad, Roman Bulánek, Stanislav Šlang
    Catalysts, 2021
    In this research, a binary eutectic composition of KCl and MgCl2 supported over lanthanum exchanged FAU (faujasite) zeolite has been investigated for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane. The catalyst was prepared by the thermal treatment of La-FAU with a mechanical mixture of alkali chlorides under a flow of helium at 500 °C. The eutectic mixture of alkali chlorides formed at this temperature and a molten layer were spread over the support. Synthesized fresh and spent catalysts were characterized to obtain information about changes in crystallinity, textural properties, phase content, chemical composition, and morphology of the catalyst over the reaction time. The initial conversion of ethane was 80% with ethene as the main product (65% yield). The catalyst deactivation has been demonstrated over time on the stream (TOS). The characterization methods confirmed that the chlorine was being removed from the catalyst. The side products detected by mass spectroscopy, including chlorinated hydrocarbons, have been found as a key pathway of chlorine removal from the catalyst. The exchange of chlorine for oxygen in the catalyst led to a significant decrease in the activity and production of higher hydrocarbons and their oxygenates as side products of the ODH reaction.
  • Preparation of activated carbon monolith by application of phenolic resins as carbon precursors
    Mehran Sajad, Mahmood Kazemzad, Azarmidokht Hosseinnia
    Functional Materials Letters, 2014
    In the current work, activated carbon monoliths have been prepared by application of different phenolic hydrocarbons namely catechol and resorcinol as carbon precursors. For synthesis of carbon monolith, the precursors have been mixed with Genapol PF-10 as template and then polymerized in the presence of lysine as catalyst. Then the polymerized monolith carbonized in inert atmosphere at 700°C and activated by water steam at 550°C. It was found that resorcinol polymerization is easier than catechol and occurred at 90°C while for polymerization of catechol elevated temperature of 120°C at hydrothermal condition is necessary. The prepared activated carbon samples have been characterized by various analysis methods including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area measurement, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The adsorptions of three different aromatic hydrocarbons by the prepared activated carbon samples have also been investigated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. It was found that carbon monolith prepared by catechol as carbon precursor has higher adsorpability and strength in comparison with the other sample. The higher performance of carbon monolith prepared by catechol can be associated with its higher active sites in comparison with resorcinol.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Milling-Induced Defects in Ni/Zirconia Catalysts for Enhancing Catalytic Activity in Dry Methane Reforming
    JE Olszowka, V Sydorchuk, K Simkovicova, M Sajad, G Clet, M Horacek, ...
    The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 130 (11), 4141-4152 , 2026
    2026
  • Low-temperature oxidation of hexagonal boron nitride during oxidative dehydrogenation reactions
    M Sajad, K Knotková, R Bulánek, O Bludský, M Rubeš
    Scientific Reports 15 (1), 22879 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 2
  • Production of light olefins via (oxidative) dehydrogenation of light alkanes over nontraditional heterogeneous catalysts
    M Sajad
    University pf Pardubice , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 1
  • Direct dehydrogenation of propane over Pd nanoparticles encapsulated within IPC zeolites with tunable pore sizes
    M Sajad, Y Zhang, M Kubů, M Mazur, R Bulanek, J Čejka
    Applied Materials Today 29, 101644 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 10
  • Imidazolium-type ionic liquid-assisted formation of the MFI zeolite loaded with metal nanoparticles for hydrogenation reactions
    Y Zhang, A Li, M Sajad, K Fulajtarova, M Mazur, M Kubů, M Shamzhy, ...
    Chemical Engineering Journal 412, 128599 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 26
  • Physico-Chemical Changes in the KCl-MgCl 2 /La-FAU Composite Catalyst Induced by Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane
    M Sajad, R Bulánek, S Šlang
    Catalysts 11 (3), 392 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 3
  • Oxidative dehydrogenation of propane over the boron-nitride catalysts
    M Sajad
    University of Pardubice , 2020
    2020
  • Preparation of activated carbon monolith by application of phenolic resins as carbon precursors
    M Sajad, M Kazemzad, A Hosseinnia
    Functional Materials Letters 7 (04), 1450035 , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 4

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Imidazolium-type ionic liquid-assisted formation of the MFI zeolite loaded with metal nanoparticles for hydrogenation reactions
    Y Zhang, A Li, M Sajad, K Fulajtarova, M Mazur, M Kubů, M Shamzhy, ...
    Chemical Engineering Journal 412, 128599 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 26
  • Direct dehydrogenation of propane over Pd nanoparticles encapsulated within IPC zeolites with tunable pore sizes
    M Sajad, Y Zhang, M Kubů, M Mazur, R Bulanek, J Čejka
    Applied Materials Today 29, 101644 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 10
  • Preparation of activated carbon monolith by application of phenolic resins as carbon precursors
    M Sajad, M Kazemzad, A Hosseinnia
    Functional Materials Letters 7 (04), 1450035 , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 4
  • Physico-Chemical Changes in the KCl-MgCl 2 /La-FAU Composite Catalyst Induced by Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane
    M Sajad, R Bulánek, S Šlang
    Catalysts 11 (3), 392 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 3
  • Low-temperature oxidation of hexagonal boron nitride during oxidative dehydrogenation reactions
    M Sajad, K Knotková, R Bulánek, O Bludský, M Rubeš
    Scientific Reports 15 (1), 22879 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 2
  • Production of light olefins via (oxidative) dehydrogenation of light alkanes over nontraditional heterogeneous catalysts
    M Sajad
    University pf Pardubice , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 1
  • Milling-Induced Defects in Ni/Zirconia Catalysts for Enhancing Catalytic Activity in Dry Methane Reforming
    JE Olszowka, V Sydorchuk, K Simkovicova, M Sajad, G Clet, M Horacek, ...
    The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 130 (11), 4141-4152 , 2026
    2026
  • Oxidative dehydrogenation of propane over the boron-nitride catalysts
    M Sajad
    University of Pardubice , 2020
    2020