Murali Sastry

Murali Sastry is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at Monash University. He is an active researcher with over 314 publications and currently leads or participates in multiple high-impact research projects focused on nanomaterials and their applications in energy, environmental, and construction technologies.

Professor Sastry's research expertise centers on nanomaterials science with particular specialization in plasmonic nanoparticles, photochemical conversion processes, and carbon utilization technologies. His work bridges fundamental materials science with practical applications in solar energy conversion, water treatment, and sustainable manufacturing processes. His research group extensively investigates the unique optical and chemical properties of metallic nanostructures, particularly silver and gold nanoparticles, for applications ranging from catalytic CO₂ conversion to environmental remediation and advanced construction materials.

His recent publication record demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary approach, with research spanning from fundamental nanomaterial synthesis to practical environmental applications. The predominant trends show significant emphasis on developing plasmonic nanomaterials for energy conversion processes, particularly visible-light photocatalysis for CO₂ hydrogenation, as well as nanotechnology applications in water treatment and construction materials.

Professor Sastry serves as Chief Investigator or Primary Chief Investigator on multiple major research initiatives:

• Affordable solar-thermal desalination by systems design with nanomaterials (2024-2027)
• Plasmonics for Photochemical Conversion (2024-2027)
• ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling (2023-2029)
• ARC Training Centre for Green Chemistry in Manufacturing (2020-2025)
• Enhanced Performance in Nanosized Metal Oxides (2021-2025)

His collaborative work spans multiple disciplines and includes partnerships with numerous academic institutions and industry partners across Australia and internationally, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern materials science research addressing global sustainability challenges.