Dr. Saima Sohni

ABOUT

With broad focus on analytical and material chemistry, I am interested in spectrum of topics with an emphasis on solid phase extraction, green materials/composites, nanomaterials, adsorption and catalysis. Our research group has worked on metal nanoparticles-based composites, graphene, 3D graphene hydrogels, nano-lignin/graphene hydrogels, microcrystalline cellulose and composites of activated carbon for wastewater remediation and other applications. At present, my research is focused on the development of new bio-based sustainable, high-performance and environmentally friendly materials for wastewater purification. Water pollution due to organic chemicals, heavy metal ions and pathogenic microorganisms has become a serious threat to natural ecosystems and human health at a global scale. In this scenario, I am also involved in developing innovative filter materials with multifunctional performance possessing contaminant’s scavenging ability and antibacterial properties in line with my past work on bio-based 3D hydrogels as versatile filter materials for water treatment. My current research on the design of innovative bio-based sustainable composite materials using green strategies and their applications will be a commercially viable solution promoting sustainable development goals with positive implications in the domain of biomass valorization and green materials for broad spectrum of applications, representing a win-win strategy. I am also interested in developing more sustainable routes exploring new renewable resources for isolating biomaterials such as microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), nano-lignin, biochar etc.

PUBLICATIONS

U Maheer, MM Badsha, FNJ Abedin, V Balakrishnan, S Sohni, M Zulkifli, Biodiesel production from discarded fish waste lipids using CaO-based heterogeneous catalyst: kinetics modeling, process optimization and validation using Artificial neural network, Biomass and Bioenergy 211, (2026), 109183.
F Mazhar, EM Bakhsh, SB Khan, N Ullah, M Khan, M Muneeb, M Sayed, Hafiz Nidaullah, S. Sohni Bifunctional performance of robust filter material based on biomimetically synthesized CeO2/ZnO and nanolignin supported on microcrystalline cellulose for water reclamation, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, (2025), 145964.
S. Sohni, Abdullah, Esraa M Bakhsh, Faryal Mazhar, Waqas Ahmad, Junidah Lamaming, Arshad Iqbal, Hafiz Nidaullah, Murtaza Sayed, Sher Bahadar KhanEvaluating catalytic and antibacterial properties of composite hydrogel based on biomimetically synthesized CeO₂ nanoparticles anchored onto microcrystalline cellulose/reduced graphene oxide, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 306, (2025), 141749.
A Shahnaz, S Gul, Q Khan, F Rehman, S Sohni, K Naz, M Kamal, Fabrication of Zinc Oxide/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites (ZnO/rGO) for Efficient Photoactivation of Peroxymonosulfate: A Case Study on Degradation of Methyl Orange, ChemistrySelect 10 (2025), e0288.
Z Shah, A Iqbal, SL Badshah, MA Mir, S Sohni, H Ullah, SA Shah, Macroalgae Polysaccharides Enhance Brain Health by Mitigating Scopolamine-induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Via Nrf-2/TLR4/NF-kB Pathways, Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology 20 (2025), 1-20.
S Sohni, O Rashid, SH Ali, SB Khan, K Akhtar, F Mazhar, MS Hossain, Magnetically separable sorbent based on activated carbon derived from a new precursor Rhizoclonium hookeri for facile oil spill clean-up, Algal Research 84 (2024), 103762.
R Khan, Z Haram, W Ahmad, S Sohni, J Xu, M Ilyas, Removal of hydrocarbon pollutants from refinery wastewater using N-hexadecylchitosan as an efficient adsorptive platform, Scientific Reports 14 (2024), 17236.
AA Sher, A Iqbal, M Adil, Z Shah, ZA Butt, S Ullah, M Nafees, S Sohni, Phytochemical profile and pharmacological potential of Withania somnifera whole plant extracts, Biomedical Chromatography 38 (2024), e5968.
M Imran, A Iqbal, AA AL-Huqail, SMS Alghanem, SL Badshah, S. Sohni, Biochemical and nutritional analysis of seaweed (Iyengaria stellata) and its therapeutic significance, using antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hypoglycemic activities, South African Journal of Botany 171 (2024), 695-709
M Zohaib, M Sayed, F Rehman, S Gul, S Noreen, S. Sohni, I Gul, A Ali, Superior activation of peroxymonosulfate by highly stable and long lasting zero-valent iron incorporated cellulose acetate membrane for the catalytic degradation of textile dye from aqueous media, Catalysis Surveys from Asia, 1-15 (2024).
K Zahid, B Ara, K Gul, S Malik, TUH Zia, S. Sohni, Adsorption and visible light driven photocatalytic degradation of Malachite Green and Methylene Blue dye in wastewater using magnetized copper metal organic framework, Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie, (2024).
S. Sohni, S Begum, R Hashim, SB Khan, F Mazhar, F Syed, SA Khan, Physicochemical characterization of microcrystalline cellulose derived from underutilized orange peel waste as a sustainable resource under biorefinery concept, Bioresource Technology Reports 25 (2024), 101731.
Q Khan, M Sayed, JA Khan, F Rehman, S Noreen, S. Sohni, I Gul, Advanced oxidation/reduction processes (AO/RPs) for wastewater treatment, current challenges, and future perspectives: a review, Environmental Science and Pollution Research 31 (2024), 1863-1889.
A Javed, M Islam, YO Al-Ghamdi, M Iqbal, M Aljohani, S. Sohni, SSA Shah, Synthesis of oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose-chitosan and its composite films with SiC and SiC@ SiO2 nanoparticles for methylene blue dye adsorption, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 256 (2024), 128363.
S. Sohni, K Gul, JA Shah, A Iqbal, M Sayed, SB Khan, Immobilization performance of graphene oxide-based engineered biochar derived from peanut shell towards cationic and anionic dyes, Industrial Crops and Products 206 (2023), 117656.
S. Sohni, T Hassan, SB Khan, K Akhtar, EM Bakhsh, R Hashim, Lignin nanoparticles-reduced graphene oxide based hydrogel: A novel strategy for environmental applications, International journal of biological macromolecules 225 (2023), 1426-1436.
SA Khan, S. Sohni, K Akhtar, EM Bakhsh, T Nawaz, SB Khan, Lignocellulose biomatrix zero-valent cobalt nanoparticles: a dip-catalyst for organic pollutants degradation, Industrial Crops and Products 198, (2023), 116694.
S. Sohni, R. Hashim, H. Nidaullah, O. Sulaiman, C. Leh, J. Lamaming, T. Arai, A. Kosugi, Enhancing the enzymatic digestibility of oil palm biomass using supercritical carbon dioxide-based pretreatment towards biorefinery application, Industrial Crops & Products, 157 (2020) 112923.
K. Akhtar, F. Ali, S. Sohni, T. Kamal, A. M. Asiri, E. Bakhsh, S. B. Khan, Lignocellulosic biomass supported metal nanoparticles for the catalytic reduction of organic pollutants, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27 (2020) 823-836.
S. Sohni, R. Hashim, H. Nidaullah, J. Lamaming, O. Sulaiman, Chitosan/nano-lignin based composite as a new sorbent for enhanced removal of dye pollution from aqueous solutions, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 132 (2019) 1304–1317.
N. Umbreen, S. Sohni, I. Ahmad, N.U. Khattak, K. Gul, Self-assembled three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide-based hydrogel for highly efficient and facile removal of pharmaceutical compounds from aqueous solution, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 527 (2018) 356-367.
S. Sohni, S.A. Khan, K. Akhtar, S.B. Khan, A.M. Asiri, R. Hashim, A.K.M. Omar, Room temperature preparation of lignocellulosic biomass supported heterostructure (Cu+Co@OPF) as highly efficient multifunctional nanocatalyst using wetness co-impregnation, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 549 (2018) 184-195.
S. Sohni, N.A. Nik Norulaini, Rokiah Hashim, Sher Bahadar Khan, Widad Fadhullah, A.K. Mohd Omar. Physicochemical Characterization of Malaysian Crop and Agro-industrial Biomass Residues as Renewable Energy Resources, Industrial Crops & Products 111 (2018), 642-650.
Sohni, S., Gul, K., Ahmad, F., Ahmad, I., Khan, A., Khan, N., & Bahadar Khan, S. Highly efficient removal of acid red‐17 and bromophenol blue dyes from industrial wastewater using graphene oxide functionalized magnetic chitosan composite. Polymer Composites 39 (2018) (3317-3328).
Gul, K., Sohni, S., Waqar, M., Ahmad, F., Norulaini, N. N., & AK, M. O. Functionalization of magnetic chitosan with graphene oxide for removal of cationic and anionic dyes from aqueous solution. Carbohydrate Polymers, 152, (2016) 520-531.
Gul, K., Sohni, S., Ahmad, I., Ullah Khattak, N., Zada, R., Akhtar, N., & Bahisht, N. Synthesis and Characterization of Graphene/Fe3O4 Nanocomposite as an Effective Adsorbent for Removal of Acid Red-17 and Remazol Brilliant Blue R from Aqueous Solutions. Current Nanoscience, 12 (2016), 554-563.
H. NidaUllah, A.K. Mohd Omar, A. Rosma, N. Huda, and S. Sohni. Analysis of Salmonella Contamination in Poultry Meat at Various Retailing, Different Storage Temperatures and Carcass Cuts-A Literature Survey International Journal of Poultry Science (2016).

CONFERENCE PAPER, POSTER PRESENTATION & WORKSHOPS

2^1st International & 33^rd National Chemistry Conference on Chemical Sciences: Technology, Innovation & Sustainability, 23-25 October 2023, Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad.
1^st International Women Conference ( Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Uniting Women's Voices for a Better World), 4-5 December, 2023, Serena Hotel Peshawar, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University
Spring Research Poster Symposium, Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, 24^th May 2023.
Evaluation of Malaysia’s biodiversity biomass for biofuel potential, 5th International Conference on Environmental Research and Technology (ICERT 2017), 23rd-25^th August 2017, George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Preparation of graphene based nanocomposites as an effective adsorbent for Acid Red 17 and Remazol Brilliant Blue R from aqueous solution, 25th National and 13th International Chemistry Conference 2014, Institute of Chemistry, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Synthesis and characterization of graphene/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite as an effective adsorbent for acidic and basic dyes from aqueous solutions, Department of Chemistry, University of Malakand, Conference: 27th National and 15th International Chemistry Conference, 2016.
Molecularly imprinted polymer for solid phase extraction of fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtoon Khwa, Pakistan, Conference: 4th Spring Poster Presentation Symposium” organized by The Chemical Society, Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, 2013.
Workshop on “Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Course” September 2018, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Seminar on “Basic UV Spectrophotometry and Chromatography” April 2017, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Three days Training Workshop on “Data treatment by SPSS software” September 2014 at Teachers Community Centre (TCC) organized by Peshawar University Teacher’s Association.
Three days Training Workshop on “Research and Proposal Writing” February 2010 at Teachers Community Centre (TCC) organized by Peshawar University Teacher’s Association (PUTA).
Three days Training on Basic First Aid to injure organized by Pakistan Red Crescent Society on 10th November and 12th November 2010.
Three days Symposium on “Recent Trends in Indigenous Chemical Research & Awareness on Data Presentation Skills” organized by the Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar in July 2009 in Bara Gali Summer Campus.

Lecturer

Institute of Chemical Sciences | University of Peshawar

Dr. Saima Sohni

Lecturer

Institute of Chemical Sciences | University of Peshawar

ABOUT

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

HONORS AND AWARDS

PUBLICATIONS

BOOK CHAPTER

CONFERENCE PAPER, POSTER PRESENTATION & WORKSHOPS

EXPERIENCE

REVIEWING ACTIVITIES