Surfaces that repel.
Materials that endure.
Superhydrophobic coatings for concrete and asphalt, anti-icing performance, and water management using functionalized sand.
Muhammad Abdullah
RESEARCH
HIGHLIGHTS
Functional Materials. Sustainable Possibilities.
ABOUT
MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH
I’m a chemical and materials engineering researcher at the Renewable Energy Lab, National Laboratory Astana. My work explores superhydrophobic surfaces, functional semiconductors, and materials for sustainable energy.
With an MSc from Nazarbayev University, I connect materials design and characterization with practical challenges in water management, anti-icing, and hydrogen generation.
Alongside my research, I build digital platforms that help students and researchers discover opportunities, tools, and practical knowledge.
Explore My Research01 / Research focus
Small structures.
Meaningful applications.
Connecting materials design with
practical environmental and energy challenges.
Surfaces that repel.
Functional materials for
hydrogen generation.
Hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxysulfides and semiconductor thin films for photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Understanding structure.
Shaping performance.
Powder flow, non-spherical particle mixtures, nanowire morphology, and functional semiconductor materials.
02 / Publications
A record of exploration.
Applied Surface Science · Energy
Experimental plasmon-induced photocatalytic enhancement of ZnO-Ga₂O₃ composite thin films and first-principle DFT calculations
Journal of Materials Chemistry A · Energy
Oxy-Sulfide Semiconductors for Hydrogen Production from Pure Water: Materials Design, Performance, and Stability
Scientific Reports · Materials
The Effect of Ti, W, Ag and TiO₂ Particles on the Structural and Optical Properties of Porous Silicon Obtained in Various Electrolytes
Journal of Engineering and Environmental Systems · Surfaces
Development of a Hybrid Material: Superhydrophobic Nanoparticles in Paraffin Matrices for Water-Repellent Applications
Chemical Engineering Journal: Green and Sustainable · Surfaces
Waste-Derived Carbon-Coated Coked Sand for Efficient Gravity-Driven Oil-Water Separation
Nanomaterials · Surfaces
Stearic-Acid-Coated Sand: A Game Changer for Agricultural Water Management
Case Studies in Construction Materials · Surfaces
Fabrication of Mechanically Resistant ZnO-based Superhydrophobic Material for Enhanced Concrete Applications
Scientific Reports · Materials
Structural, Surface, and Theoretical Investigation of Hydrophobic-Modified Nanodiamond Powders
Engineered Science · Energy
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Photocatalytic Performance of Zinc Oxysulfide for Hydrogen Evolution
Molecules · Surfaces
Utilization of SiO₂ Nanoparticles in Developing Superhydrophobic Coatings for Road Construction: A Short Review
ACS Omega · Surfaces
Superhydrophobic and Anti-Icing Coatings on Asphalt Pavements: A Review
Engineered Science · Materials
Wireless Ammonia Gas Sensor Based on P-type Porous Si: Methods, Materials and Design
Nanomaterials · Materials
In Situ Optical Monitoring and Morphological Evolution of Si Nanowires Grown on Faceted Al₂O₃(0001) Substrates
ES Energy & Environment · Energy
Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide Thin Films as Emerging Photoelectrode Materials for Efficient Solar Water Splitting
Nanomaterials · Materials
Anisotropic Resistive Switching in NiO Thin Films Deposited on Stepped MgO Substrates
No publications match your search.
15 publications · 2025–2026.
Conference Poster
Stearic Acid-Coated Sand (SACS): A Superhydrophobic Material for Sustainable Water Management in Agriculture
View poster (PDF) ↗ Related paper: View DOI ↗03 / Background
Research grounded in practice.
Research & professional experience
Research Assistant
Renewable Energy Lab, National Laboratory Astana
Anti-icing and practical applications of superhydrophobic coatings, alongside functional semiconductor materials and zinc oxysulfide synthesis. Supervised by Dr. Olzat Toktarbaiuly.
Research Assistant
Nazarbayev University
Centrifugal additive manufacturing for fine powder composites, supervised by Prof. Boris Golman.
Industrial engineering experience
Plant Supervisor · 3A Apparels, Lahore
Production operations, resource-efficient washing and compliance documentation. Earlier experience as a Service Engineer installing and maintaining RO plants and industrial steam boilers.
Education & development
MSc, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Nazarbayev University · Astana, Kazakhstan
Thesis: Analysis of Dynamic Flow Properties of Powder Mixture with Non-spherical Particles.
BSc, Chemical Engineering
NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology · Multan, Pakistan
Thesis: Production of Diesel from Waste Plastic.
MatRIX Research Training
INMET, Nazarbayev University
Intensive materials research training in SEM, TEM, XRD, Raman, FTIR, data analysis and scientific writing.
Founding President, NU Adventure Club
Building a university community around outdoor exploration and adventure.
Applied innovation
Patented materials & processes
KAZAKHSTAN · #12463
Method for Producing a Composite Photocatalytic Film Based on a Combination of Gold and Gallium Zinc Oxides
KAZAKHSTAN · #11017
Method for Producing Composite Thin Films for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
KAZAKHSTAN · #10726
Method of Preparation of High-Performance Oxide Thin-Film Coatings Based on InGaZnO
KAZAKHSTAN · #10716
Method of Hydrothermal Production of Zinc Oxysulfides with Controlled Properties
KAZAKHSTAN · #10437
Method of Production of Superhydrophobic Quartz Sand
PythonCOMSOLDEM / LIGGGHTSAspherix GUIXRDSEMFTIRRamanHydrothermal synthesis
04 / My websites
Beyond the laboratory.
Explore the platforms I’m building.
01 / PARWAZ.TECH ↗
Parwaz
Discover scholarships, fellowships, internships, and career opportunities.
Explore Parwaz ↗ 02 / FUNDORA.DEV ↗Fundora
Practical guides on AI tools, study skills, technology, and research software for students and researchers.
Discover Fundora ↗Creative Projects
05 / Get in touch
Let’s explore
what’s possible.
For research conversations, collaborations, and opportunities in functional materials and sustainable energy.