Banerjee, Progna
Assistant Professor
Education
NST Center Core Postdoctoral appointee, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois USA
NSF-MRSEC Postdoctoral Fellow, J. J. McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA
EBI-Shell ALS Postdoctoral Fellow, Energy Storage Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
PhD. University of Ilinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois USA
M.S. University of Ilinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois USA
M.Tech Solid State Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
M.Sc. Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Research Interests
At the P. Banerjee Energy Lab () based in Chicago, we integrate synthetic inorganic chemistry, advanced electron microscopy, machine learning, and electrochemistry to accelerate discovery of next-generation solid electrolytes and nanoscale superionic conductors. Our work bridges atomic-level defect engineering with scalable solution processing, enabling transformative advances in solid-state batteries and energy conversion.
- Nanoscale Ionics and Defect Engineering
We design and synthesize colloidal nanocrystals and nanoclusters of complex chalcogenides with tunable composition, morphology, and cation/anion vacancy density. Using high-throughput hot-injection synthesis and temperature-dependent phase mapping (XRD/DSC), we uncover how grain size, symmetry breaking, and defect structures govern ionic conductivity and superionic phase transitions.
- Interface and Surface Chemistry for Ion Transport
Through ligand exchange strategies, ionic bridging ligands, and polymer grafting, we tailor interparticle coupling and build solution-processable superionic films and inks. This work enables the translation of nanoscale design into macroscopic electrolytes and interfaces for batteries, fuel cells, and hybrid catalytic systems.
- Data-Driven Discovery and Machine Learning
We combine atomic-resolution TEM/4D-STEM, EELS/EDS mapping, and automated Rietveld refinement with ML workflows to identify structure–morphology–property correlations across large synthetic libraries. These pipelines allow us to predict optimal compositions and grain structures for superionic behavior, shortening the discovery cycle from years to months.
- Coupled Ion–Photon–Electron Processes
We explore how photothermal and electrochemical activation of nanocrystals can localize or enhance ionic mobility. Current projects link superionic chalcogenides with CO鈧� reduction, hydrogen evolution, and solid–solid interphase stabilization, bridging the worlds of energy storage and catalytic conversion.
Vision
We aim to establish design rules for nanoscale superionic conductors, advancing both fundamental solid-state ionics and applied energy technologies. Our ultimate goal is to provide scalable, manufacturable pathways for safe, high-energy-density batteries and clean hydrogen systems.
We actively seek collaborations with academic groups, industry partners, and national laboratories interested in electrolyte innovation, automated synthesis, and high-throughput discovery of solid-state ionic materials.
We are looking to recruit graduate students (PhD candidates and MS-thesis track) with start dates in Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 respectively. Our new lab offers hands-on access to EM, synchrotron, data workflows, plus an active partnership with Argonne and local industry consortia.
Publications/Research Listings
2025
- O. Saliu, Y. Xu, K. Zervos, I. Campbell, E. Fapounda, P. Banerjee*, Charge Transport in Functional Ligand Capped Nanocrystals and Nanoclusters for Energy Applications 2025, submitted.
- P. Banerjee*, et. al., Oriented attachment in halide perovskite nanoplatelets with functional chiral organic ligands, 2025, submitted.
- P. Banerjee*, et. al., The Role of Solvent in Assembly of CdSe Nanoplatelets, 2025, submitted.
- Y. Xu, K. Zervos, I. Campbell, S. Choudhary, N. Powar, L. Al-Khaled, P. Banerjee*, Colloidal Hot Injection Syntheses of Superionic CuBSe2 as Candidate Solid Electrolytes for Li-ion Batteries, 2025, submitted.
For a full list of journal articles, see
Awards
Selected awards Post-Ph.D
2022 American Chemical Society-CAS Future Leader (1 of 30 awardees selected globally and from a wide array of scientific disciplines)
2021-2024 Center Postdoc Appointee, 1 of 8 postdocs selected at The Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory
2021 American Chemical Society P2F (Postdoc to Faculty) Future Faculty Scholar
2020-21 Postdoctoral Fellow, MRSEC, UT Austin
2019-20 EBI-Shell ALS affiliated Postdoctoral Fellow, Berkeley Laboratory
Selected awards During Ph.D
2018 Scott Anderson Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award, Physics Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2017 University fellowship including travel grant, Graduate College, UIUC
2017 64th AVS Prairie Chapter Symposium Registration Waiver