Faculty

Dr. Qasem Drmosh is an Associate Professor at the Materials Science and Engineering Department of King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM). He received his bachelor's degree in education and science Physics from Ibb University in 2001, and 2003, respectively. He then joined KFUPM in 2006, where he completed his master’s degree from KFUPM in Physics. After that, he joined the center of nanotechnology as Scientist III till 2012. Dr. Drmosh received his Ph.D. in Physics from KFUPM in 2015 under the supervision of Prof. Zain Yamani, Director of the center of nanotechnology (CENT). Dr. Drmosh worked as a Research Scientist III and Research Scientist II at CENT and Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen & Energy Storage (HES) before joining the Materials Science and Engineering Department in November 2022. His research interests are in the fields of nanomaterials, laser ablation, thin films, and their applications including chemiresistive gas sensors, hydrogen production, solid-state batteries, and hard coating devices. Dr. Drmosh has over one hundred articles published in ISI journals, in addition to eight USPTO patents to his credit. 

Educational Qualification

  • Ph.D. Physics (2015) Condensed Matter, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
  • M.Sc. Physics (2010) Condensed Matter, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
  • B.Sc. Physics (2003) [Science], Ibb University, Yemen   
  • B.Sc. Physics (2001) [Education], Ibb University, Yemen 

Courses Taught

  • MSE 206 (Lec.) Materials Characterizations
  • MSE 206 (Lab.) Materials Characterizations
  • Phys 102 General Physics

Research Interest

Nanomaterials and nanotechnology are currently among the most active research fields in materials sciences for technological applications. He has a broad interest in nanomaterials and nanotechnology.  However, what fascinates him the most is the thin films and their applications. In particular, he is fascinated by synthesis and characterization of novel thin films systems having unique optical, electrical, mechanical, and compositional properties. Summarized below is his present research and outline possible directions for my future research.

  • Design of exhaled breath analysis thin films sensors for early diagnosis of lung cancer
  • Development of chemiresistive room temperature thin film sensors for the monitoring of nitrogen dioxide gas in premature baby’s care unit
  • Development of transparent and scratch proof thin films for smart devices
  • Novel methods for surface modification of semiconductor thin films by highly uniform and size-controlled nanoparticles 
  • Design a pulsed laser ablation set up for synthesis and surface engineering of nanostructured semiconductor materials and their energy and medical applications.
  • Fabrication heterostructure materials for hydrogen production
  • Novel approaches to prepare high surface area thin films
  • Fabrication of solid-state thin film batteries using physical vapor deposition techniques.

Research Highlights

Representative Publications

A-    Gas sensors

  1.  Drmosh, Q. A., Yamani, Z. H., Hendi, A. H., Gondal, M. A., Moqbel, R. A., Saleh, T. A., & Khan, M. Y. (2019). A novel approach to fabricating a ternary rGO/ZnO/Pt system for high-performance hydrogen sensor at low operating temperatures. Applied Surface Science, 464, 616-626.
  2. Drmosh, Q. A., Hendi, A. H., Hossain, M. K., Yamani, Z. H., Moqbel, R. A., Hezam, A., & Gondal, M. A. (2019). UV-activated gold decorated rGO/ZnO heterostructured nanocomposite sensor for efficient room temperature H2 detection. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 290, 666-675.
  3. Drmosh, Q. A., Olanrewaju Alade, I., Qamar, M., & Akbar, S. (2021). Zinc Oxide‐Based Acetone Gas Sensors for Breath Analysis: A Review. Chemistry–An Asian Journal, 16(12), 1519-1538.
  4. Drmosh, Q. A., Al Wajih, Y. A., Alade, I. O., Mohamedkhair, A. K., Qamar, M., Hakeem, A. S., & Yamani, Z. H. (2021). Engineering the depletion layer of Au-modified ZnO/Ag core-shell films for high-performance acetone gas sensing. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 338, 129851.
  5. Drmosh, Q. A., Yamani, Z. H., Mohamedkhair, A. K., Hendi, A. H. Y., Hossain, M. K., & Ibrahim, A. (2018). Gold nanoparticles incorporated SnO2 thin film: highly responsive and selective detection of NO2 at room temperature. Materials Letters, 214, 283-286.

 B-    Water splitting

  1. Drmosh, Q. A., Hezam, A., Hendi, A. H. Y., Qamar, M., Yamani, Z. H., & Byrappa, K. (2020). Ternary Bi2S3/MoS2/TiO2 with double Z-scheme configuration as high performance photocatalyst. Applied Surface Science, 499, 143938.
  2. Hezam, A., Namratha, K., Drmosh, Q. A., Ponnamma, D., Saeed, A. M. N., Ganesh, V., ... & Byrappa, K. (2018). Direct Z-scheme Cs2O–Bi2O3–ZnO heterostructures for photocatalytic overall water splitting. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 6(43), 21379-21388.
  3. Drmosh, Q. A., Hezam, A., Hossain, M. K., Qamar, M., Yamani, Z. H., & Byrappa, K. (2019). A novel Cs2O–Bi2O3–TiO2–ZnO heterostructure with direct Z-Scheme for efficient photocatalytic water splitting. Ceramics International, 45(17), 23756-23764.
  4. Mohamedkhair, A. K., Drmosh, Q. A., Qamar, M., & Yamani, Z. H. (2020). Nanostructured Magnéli-phase W18O49 thin films for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Catalysts, 10(5), 526.
  5. Drmosh, Q. A., Alade, I. O., Alkanad, K., Alnaggar, G., Khan, A., Khan, M. Y., ... & Hossain, M. K. (2022). WO3/BP/g-C3N4–based cauliflower nanocomposite fabricated by pulsed laser ablation for overall water splitting. Optics & Laser Technology, 151, 108014.

 C-    Laser ablation

  1. Gondal, M. A., Drmosh, Q. A., Yamani, Z. H., & Saleh, T. A. (2009). Synthesis of ZnO2 nanoparticles by laser ablation in liquid and their annealing transformation into ZnO nanoparticles. Applied surface science, 256(1), 298-304.
  2. Drmosh, Q. A., Gondal, M. A., Yamani, Z. H., & Saleh, T. A. (2010). Spectroscopic characterization approach to study surfactants effect on ZnO2 nanoparticles synthesis by laser ablation process. Applied Surface Science, 256(14), 4661-4666.
  3. Elsayed, K. A., Alomari, M., Drmosh, Q. A., Alheshibri, M., Al Baroot, A., Kayed, T. S., ... & Al-Alotaibi, A. L. (2022). Fabrication of ZnO-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles by laser ablation for anticancer activity. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 61(2), 1449-1457.
  4. Drmosh, Q. A., Alade, I. O., Alkanad, K., Alnaggar, G., Khan, A., Khan, M. Y., ... & Onaizi, S. A. (2022). Fabrication of Z-scheme TiO2/BP/g-C3N4 nanocomposite via pulsed laser ablation in liquid for photocatalytic overall water splitting. Optical Materials, 128, 112428.
  5. Ibrahim, Y. O., Hezam, A., Qahtan, T. F., Al-Aswad, A. H., Gondal, M. A., & Drmosh, Q. A. (2020). Laser-assisted synthesis of Z-scheme TiO2/rGO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites for highly enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Applied Surface Science, 534, 147578.

D-    CO2 reduction

  1. Hezam, A., Namratha, K., Drmosh, Q. A., Ponnamma, D., Wang, J., Prasad, S., ... & Byrappa, K. (2019). CeO2 nanostructures enriched with oxygen vacancies for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 3(1), 138-148.
  2. Hezam, A., Alkanad, K., Bajiri, M. A., Strunk, J., Takahashi, K., Drmosh, Q. A., ... & Krishnappagowda, L. N. (2022). 2D/1D MoS2/TiO2 Heterostructure Photocatalyst with a Switchable CO2 Reduction Product. Small Methods, 2201103.
  3. GC, S. S., Alkanad, K., Thejaswini, B., Alnaggar, G., Al Zaqri, N., Drmosh, Q. A., ... & Lokanath, N. K. (2022). Alkaline mediated sono-synthesis of surface oxygen-vacancies-rich cerium oxide for efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction to methanol. Surfaces and Interfaces, 34, 102389.
  4. Alkanad, K., Hezam, A., Al-Zaqri, N., Bajiri, M. A., Alnaggar, G., Drmosh, Q. A., ... & Neratur Krishnappagowda, L. (2022). One-Step Hydrothermal Synthesis of Anatase TiO2 Nanotubes for Efficient Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction. ACS omega.
  5. Alkanad, K., Hezam, A., Drmosh, Q. A., Ganganakatte Chandrashekar, S. S., AlObaid, A. A., Warad, I., ... & Neratur Krishnappagowda, L. (2021). Construction of Bi2S3/TiO2/MoS2 S‐Scheme Heterostructure with a Switchable Charge Migration Pathway for Selective CO2 Reduction. Solar RRL, 5(11), 2100501.

Representative patents

  1.  M.A. Gondal, Q.A. Drmosh, Z.H. Yamani and T.A. Saleh “Method for detection of Cyanide in water, USPTO Pat US8460538 (issued 2013).
  2. M.A. Gondal, Q.A. Drmosh, Z.H. Yamani, T.A. Saleh “Method for detection of Cyanide in water-02, USPTO Pat. US9034169 (issued 2015).
  3. M. K. Hossain, Q.A. Drmosh, “Silver nanoparticles on conducting electrode as plasmonic scattering nanomaterials and related photocatalytic cell” USPTO Pat. US9773931 (issued 2017).
  4. Q.A. Drmosh, M. K. Hossain, and Nouar Tabet “Method of preparing silver nanoparticles and silver nanorings on zinc oxide films”, USPTO Pat. US  9809871 (issued 2017).
  5. M. K. Hossain, Q.A. Drmosh, “Thin film plasmonic solar cell” USPTO Pat. US9947815 (issued 2018).
  6. Qasem Ahmed Drmosh, Zain Hassan Yamani, Mohammad Kamal, Mohammed Ashraf Gondal, Abdulmajeed Hasan, Redhwan Abdo Moqbel, Room temperature UV-activated hydrogen gas sensor, USPTO Publication of US20210190721 (published 2021).
  7. Q.A. Drmosh, M. K. Hossain, Z. H. Yamani “Method of determining a concentration of hydrogen gas with a hydrogen gas sensor” USPTO Publication of US20200064304 (published 2020).
  8. Q.A. Drmosh, Z. H. Yamani, A. K. Mohamedkhair, M. K. Hossain, A. H. Y. Hendi “Room temperature nitrogen dioxide gas sensor” USPTO US11119066 (issued 2021).

Research Skills and Interests

  1. Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured metal, metal oxides, and metal nitrites. 
  2. Engineered nanomaterials: morphology materials, shape- and size-tailored materials, controlled dispersion of active sites on the support, metal and nonmetal doping, interfaced or heterostructured materials, surface functionalization with noble and non-noble materials.
  3. Preparation techniques: DC/RF sputtering, Pulsed laser deposition, Chemical vapor deposition, Microwave, Hydrothermal, and Pulsed laser ablation in liquid. 
  4. Applications include chemiresistive gas sensors, photo–electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction, and solid-state batteries.
  5. Characterization techniques include Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Spectrofluorometer, Field Emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), etc. 
  6. Project management – During past years, I also acquired expertise on writing, planning, execution and reporting of many scientific projects.
  7. Student mentoring and teaching

Funded projects (2017 to date as PI and Co-I)

  1. Development of High-Performance Hydrogen Sensor Using Metal Functionalized ZnO/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Synthesized via High Power Laser, SR171005 , DSR, KFUPM (2017-2018).
  2. Noble Metals Sensitized Nanostructured SnO2 Films for Gas Sensing Applications, CENT2017, KFUPM. Saudi Arabia (2017-2018).
  3. Development of High-Performance Overall Water Splitting Using 2D Black Phosphorus-based Heterostructure, DF181021, DSR, KFUPM. Saudi Arabia.
  4. Development of Transparent and Scratch Proof M/Sialon Thin Film (M: Alkaline Earth or Rare Earth) for High Technology Applications, DF191020, DSR, (2010-2022).
  5. Development of Saudi Scientists in Nanotechnology, CHES2213, Tayseer Alsuadia (2021-2023)
  6. Water treatment using new membrane, CEW02592, Saudi Aramco (2019-2021)
  7. Ceramic-based solid-state electrolyte for solid state batteries, DSR, KFUPM. Saudi Arabia (2021-2022)
  8. Mono-(Cu, N) and Co-(Cu-N) Doped Metal Oxide, INHE2114, DSR, KFUPM. Saudi Arabia (2021-2021)
  9.  Electrochemical Supercapacitor for Energy Storage, INHE2105, DSR, KFUPM. Saudi Arabia (2021-2022)
  10. Feasibility study of incorporating ZIFs nanomaterials into cementitious materials, INCB2211, DSR, KFUPM. Saudi Arabia (2022-2023)
  11. Boosting the Coulombic Efficiency and Cyclic Stability of Iron-Based Redox Flow Battery for Long-Duration Energy Storage, INHE2208, DSR, KFUPM. Saudi Arabia (2022-2023)
  12. Organic-Based Redox Flow Battery for Electrochemical Energy Storage, INHE2213, DSR, KFUPM. Saudi Arabia (2022-2023).

Editorial and Reviewer (2017 to date)

  1. Guest Editor, Frontiers in Materials (impact factor: 3.985) Research Topic “Nano-Hetero-Structures for Chemical Sensing: Opportunities and Challenges”   
  2. Guest Editor, Nanomaterials (impact factor: 5.719) Research Topic “Gas sensors-based carbon nanomaterials”
  3. Guest Editor, Membranes (impact factor 4.106) Research Topic “Fabrication, Characterization, and Applications of Nanomaterials Based Membranes

Reviewer for the following journals:

  • Sensors and Actuators b Chemical
  • Ceramics International
  • Applied Physics A
  • Applied Surface Science
  • Sensors and Actuators A: physical
  • Sensors
  • Journal of Photochemistry & Photobiology, A: Chemistry
  • Environmental Research
  • Inorganic Chemistry Communications
  • Materials Research Bulletin

Books   

Translated the following books:

  1.  Physics for every Kid
  2. Chemistry for every Kid 
Qasem Ahmed Drmosh (orcid.org) Qasem Ahmed Drmosh Scopus

 

Dr. Qasem Ahmed Drmosh Associate Professor +966 13 860 8343 +966 13 860 2949 (MSE Dept.) drmosh@kfupm.edu.sa ORCID ID Google Scholar LinkedIn