Biography

I am a physics teacher with over two decades of teaching experience at all academic levels. My research focuses on the physics of nanomaterials. I earned my PhD from the University of Vienna, Austria, where I worked on confinement-induced structural transformations in alkali metals using synchrotron and neutron techniques. I currently serve as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Government College University (GCU) Lahore, Pakistan.

My research spans nanomaterials for energy storage, bioremediation, and biomedical applications, with emphasis on metal oxides, nanoporous systems, and functional composites. I have contributed to international projects funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and collaborated with groups across Europe and Pakistan. I have published over 35 peer-reviewed papers with more than 600 citations.

At my alma mater, I teach BS, MPhil, and PhD courses, lead the Physics of Nanomaterials (PNM) Research Group, and supervise BS, MPhil, and PhD research. I also contribute to academic administration as In-Charge of the Materials Science and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Convener of the Research Laboratories Committee, and Superintendent of the New Hostel. Earlier, I earned a Gold Medal and the Academic Role of Honor for securing first position in MSc Physics. I continue to advance scientific progress through research, supervision, peer review, and active participation in academic forums.

Education

• PhD in Physics, University Of Vienna (Vienna-Austria) 2014
• MS/MPhil in Physics, Government College University Lahore (Lahore-Pakistan) 2004
• Masters in Physics, Government College Lahore (Lahore-Pakistan) 2001

Teaching Areas

Experience

Journal Papers

• Muhammad Zubair Khan, Mohsin Saleem, Muhammad Bilal Hanif, Jung-Hyuk Koh, Iftikhar Hussain, Urooba Gulshan, Sumaira Latif, Hanfeng Liang, Abdul Ghaffar, Imran Shakir, Bin Lin (2026). "Advanced electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for high-performance solid oxide fuel cells: A critical review." Applied Energy , Vol. 407 , pp. 127347. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.127347 | Impact Factor: 11.0 [Link]
• Nayab Zahra, Muhammad Shahbaz, Mohsin Saleem, Muhammad Zubair Khan d, Muneeb Irshad, Shahzad Sharif, Jung Hyuk Koh, Mohsin Ali Marwat, Gwangseop Lee, Muhammad Irfan, Abdul Ghaffar (2025). "Innovative multiphase composites of transition metal oxides for long-term stability and high energy density in storage devices." Materials Today Sustainability , Vol. 30 , pp. 101099. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101099 | Impact Factor: 7.1 [Link]
• Muhammad Shoaib Butt, Romana Afsheen, Hina Saeed, Nauman Javed, Abdul Ghaffar  (2025). "Promoting surgical pin performance: Chitosan and hydroxyapatite -based nano-composite coatings for antimicrobial and corrosion protection." Results in Engineering , Vol. 25 , pp. 103714. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2024.103714 | Impact Factor: 6.0 [Link]
• Muddasira Sarwar, Muhammad Shahbaz, Rabia Ghaffar, Mohsin Saleem, Muhammad Zubair Khan, Muneeb Irshad, Shahzad Sharif, Jung Hyuk Koh, Muhammad Haseeb, Abdul Ghaffar, Imran Shakir, Kamran Ali (2025). "Robust cyclic stability and high-power performance of Ni/Mg co-doped CeO2 electrodes for asymmetric hybrid supercapacitors." Materials Today Sustainability , Vol. 33 , pp. 101272. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2025.101272 | Impact Factor: 7.9 [Link]
• Moiz Anwar, Asmara Fazal, Muhammad Javaid Iqbal, Badriah S. Almutairi, Muhammad Zubair Khan, Muneeb Irshad, Mohsin Ali Raza, Muhammad Shoaib Butt, Mohsin Saleem, Waqas Ahmed, Abdul Ghaffar (2025). "Solution-combustion synthesis of AgCo3O4/FeMn-O multiphase composite for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor." Journal of Energy Storage , Vol. 105 , pp. 114602. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.114602 | Impact Factor: 8.9 [Link]
• Hafiz Ahmad Ishfaq, Saeed Ur Rehman, Muhammad Zubair Khan, Tahir Sattar, Mohsin Saleem, Jung-Hyuk Koh, Iftikhar Hussain, Amjad Hussain, Sanaullah Qamar, Abdul Ghaffar (2025). "Superior Oxygen Reduction Performance and Stability of SOFC Cathodes via RF-Sputtered Ruthenium Electrocatalysts." ACS Applied Energy Materials , Vol. 8 (20) , pp. 15069–15078. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.5c01441 | Impact Factor: 5.50 [Link]
• Hussain Gulab, Nusrat Fatima, Urooj Tariq, Osama Gohar, Muneeb Irshad, Muhammad Zubair Khan, Mohsin Saleem, Abdul Ghaffar, Muhammad Hussain, Abdul Khaliq Jan, Muhammad Humayun, Martin Motola, Muhammad Bilal Hanif (2024). "Advancements in zinc oxide nanomaterials: Synthesis, properties, and diverse applications." Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects , Vol. 39 , pp. 101271. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoso.2024.101271 | Impact Factor: 0.716 [Link]
• Urooj Tariq, Muhammad Zubair Khan, Osama Gohar, Zaheer Ud Din Babar, Farman Ali, Rizwan Ahmed Malik, Inna A. Starostina, Samia, Javed Rehman, Iftikhar Hussain, Mohsin Saleem, Abdul Ghaffar, Mohsin Ali Marwat, Kun Zheng, Martin Motola, Muhammad Bilal Hanif (2024). "Bridging the Gap between fundamentals and efficient devices: Advances in proton-conducting oxides for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells." Journal of Power Sources , Vol. 613 , pp. 234910. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.234910 | Impact Factor: 9.2 [Link]
• Muneeb Irshad, Muhammad Zeeshan Aslam, Muhammad Salim Butt, Zaheer Ud Din Babar, Muhammad Bilal Hanif, Muhammad Ahsan, Muhammad Zubair Khan, Kun Zheng,  Muhammad Rafique, Abdul  Ghaffar, Muhamad Asad,  M.A. Assiri, Martin Motola (2024). "Evaluation of highly conductive cermet cathodes synthesized with organic chelating agents and sintered at low temperatures for IT-SOFCs." Energy Conversion and Management: X , Vol. 23 , pp. 100609. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100609 | Impact Factor: 7.77 [Link]
• Muhammad Shoaib Butt, Zainab Malik, Rabia Ghaffar, Abrar H. Baluch, Mohsin Saleem, Abdul Ghaffar (2024). "Moringa oleifera/chitosan-coated silk sutures for improved wound healing." Materials Chemistry and Physics , Vol. 313 , pp. 128737. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2023.128737 | Impact Factor: 5.08 [Link]
• Osama Gohar, Muhammad Zubair Khan, Mohsin Saleem, Ouyang Chun, Zaheer Ud Din Babar, Mian Muneeb Ur Rehman, Amjad Hussain, Kun Zheng, Jung-Hyuk Koh, Abdul Ghaffar, Iftikhar Hussain, Elena Filonova, Dmitry Medvedev, Martin Motola, Muhammad Bilal Hanif (2024). "Navigating the future of solid oxide fuel cell: Comprehensive insights into fuel electrode related degradation mechanisms and mitigation strategies." Advances in Colloid and Interface Science , Vol. 331 , pp. 103241. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2024.103241 | Impact Factor: 15.6 [Link]
• Farah Mumtaz, Hamid Jabbar, Muhamad Zubair Khan, Abdul Ghaffar, Abrar H. Baluch, Sofia Javed, Tayyaba Noor, Zeeshan Ali, Jung-Hyuk Koh, Mohsin Saleem  (2024). "Optimization of z-scheme Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3/RGO-Co3O4 composite catalyst for water splitting reaction through piezo-photocatalysis." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy , Vol. 78 , pp. 1468-1480. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.06.387 | Impact Factor: 8.1 [Link]
• Nasim Sarwar, Rabia Ghaffar, Monas Shahzad, Khalid Javed, Mahroze Munam, Zafar Siddiq, Aneel Pervez, Muhammad Zubair Khan, Mohsin Saleem, Jung-Hyuk Koh, Abdul Ghaffar (2024). "Synergistic photovoltaic performance of DSSCs based on ZnO charge transport layers, counter electrodes and C. annuum and T. indica as natural dyes." Materials Science & Engineering: B (Advanced Functional Solid-State Materials) , Vol. 307 , pp. 117543. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2024.117543 | Impact Factor: 3.9 [Link]
• Aniqa Rani, Rabia Ghaffar, Muhammad Shoaib Butt, Muneeb Irshad, Mohsin Saleem, Muhammad Hanif, Muhammad Arshad, Suleman Ahmad, Abid Aleem, Abdul Ghaffar (2023). "Antibacterial and photocatalytic properties of Ag-doped CeO2:BaO synthesized by simple solution combustion method." Materials Letters , Vol. 353 , pp. 135270. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2023.135270 | Impact Factor: 3.26 [Link]
• Muhammad Haseeb, Muneeb Irshad, Mohsin Saleem, Abid Aleem, Muhammad Arshad, Atif Shahbaz, Muhammad Imran, Rabia Ghaffar, Hafiz Ahmad Ishfaq, Abdul Ghaffar (2023). "Effect of sintering temperature on microstructure, optical and dielectric properties in a low radio frequency range of a BaO:ZnO composite." Ceramics International , Vol. 49/21 , pp. 33445-33458. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.06.069 | Impact Factor: 5.71 [Link]
• Faysal Naeem, Mohsin Saleem, Hamid Jabbar, Gulraiz Tanvir, Fiza Asif, Abrar H. Baluch, Muhammad Irfan, Abdul Ghaffar, Adnan Maqbool, Tayyab Rafiq (2023). "Enhanced Ferroelectric and Dielectric Properties of Niobium-Doped Lead-Free Piezoceramics." Materials , Vol. 16 , pp. 477. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ ma16020477 | Impact Factor: 3.68 [Link]
• Nasim Sarwar, Monas Shahzad, Rabia Ghaffar, Khalid Javed, Mahroze Munam, Aneel Pervez, Abdul Ghaffar (2023). "Fabrication of DSSC based on Capsicum annuum and Tamarindus indica plant seeds extract as natural photosensitizers." Solar Energy , Vol. 257 , pp. 314-323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.04.039 | Impact Factor: 7.18 [Link]
• Ghulam Abbas, Rabia Ghaffar, Mohsin Saleem, Muneeb Irshad, Muhammad Hanif, Abid Aleem, Muhammad Arshad, Monas Shahzad, Abdul Ghaffar (2023). "Multiphase Ce-doped manganese oxide system synthesized by solution combustion method with better antibacterial effects after reheating." Materials Science & Engineering: B (Advanced Functional Solid-State Materials) , Vol. 295 , pp. 116559. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2023.116559 | Impact Factor: 3.41 [Link]
• Muneeb Irshad, Kiran Baber, Muhammad Salim butt, Muhammad Bilal Hanif, Muhammad Asad, Abdul Ghaffar, Muhammad Rafique, Iftikhar Hussain, Murefah mana Al-Anazy, Hryhorii Makarov, Bogna Daria Napruszewska, Michał Mosiałek, Martin Motola (2023). "Synergistic role of Biomolecules and Bio-chelating agents in the sustainable development of an efficient BaCe0.97M0.03O3-δ (M = Sm, Gd) perovskite electrolyte for IT-SOFC." Ceramics International , Vol. 49 (23) , pp. 38360-38366. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.09.170 | Impact Factor: 5.2 [Link]
• Ahsaan Bari,   Muhammad Ikram,   Ali Haider,   Anwar Ul-Hamid,   Junaid Haider,   Iram Shahzadi, Ghazanfar Nazir, Anum Shahzadi, Muhammad Imran, Abdul Ghaffar  (2022). "Evaluation of bactericidal potential and catalytic dye degradation of multiple morphology based chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone-doped bismuth oxide nanostructures." Nanoscale Advances , Vol. 4 , pp. 2713-2728. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NA00105E4 | Impact Factor: 4.55 [Link]
• Muneeb Irshad, Muhammad Rafique, Asif Nadeem Tabish, Abdul Ghaffar, Ahmad Shakeel, Khurram Siraj, Qurat ul Ain, Rizwan Raza, Mohammed Ali Assiri, Muhammad Imran (2022). "Influence of Sintering Temperature on the Structural,Morphological, and Electrochemical Properties of NiO-YSZ Anode Synthesized by the Autocombustion Route." Metals , Vol. 12 (2) , pp. 219. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/met12020219  | Impact Factor: 2.35 [Link]
• Muneeb Irshad,  Naila Kousar, Muhammad Bilal Hanif, Asif Nadeem Tabish, Abdul Ghaffar, Muhammad Rafique, hurram Siraj, Zeeshan Aslam, Mohammed A. Assiri, Muhammad Imran, Michał Mosiałek, Zuzana Zmrhalovahi, Martin Motola  (2022). "Investigating the microstructural and electrochemical performance of novel La0.3Ba0.7Zr0.5X0.3Y0.2 (X = Gd, Mn, Ce) electrolytes at intermediate temperature SOFCs." Sustainable Energy Fuels , Vol. 6 , pp. 5384-5391. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SE01147F | Impact Factor: 6.18 [Link]
• Muhammad Mustajab, Muhammad Ikram, Ali Haider, Anwar Ul-Hamid, Walid Nabgan, Junaid Haider, Rabia Ghaffar, Anum Shahzadi, Abdul Ghaffar, Aamer Saeed  (2022). "Promising performance of polyvinylpyrrolidone-doped bismuth oxyiodide quantum dots for antibacterial and catalytic applications." Applied Nanoscience , Vol. 12 , pp. 2621–2633. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-022-02547-x | Impact Factor: 3.86 [Link]
• Gulraiz Tanvir, Mohsin Saleem, Hamid Jabbar, Amir Hamz, Muhammad Asif, Hussaind Muhammad Zubair Khane, Abrar H Baluch, Muhammad Irfana, Muhammad Shoaib Butta, Faysal Naeem, Abdul Ghaffar, Muhammad Ahsan, Muhammad Asif Rafiq, Rizwan Ahmed Malik, Adnan Maq (2022). "Study of ferroelectric and piezoelectric response of heat-treated surfactant-based BaTiO3 nanopowder for high energy capacitors." Materials Science & Engineering: B (Advanced Functional Solid-State Materials) , Vol. 287 , pp. 116100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2022.116100 | Impact Factor: 3.42 [Link]
• Muhammad Waqas, Rabia Ghaffar, Muneeb Irshad, Mohsin Saleem, Muhammad Hanif, Abdul Ghaffar (2022). "Synergistic effect of morphology on the biocidal response of Ce-doped ZnO nanomaterial synthesized by facile autocombustion method." Materials Chemistry and Physics , Vol. 282 , pp. 125980. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.125980 | Impact Factor: 4.09 [Link]
• A. Aleem , A. Ghaffar, N.M. Kiani, M. Irshad, I. Mehmood, M. Shahzad, A. Shahbaz (2021). "Broad-band dielectric properties of Teflon, Bakelite, and air: Simulation and experimental study." Materials Science & Engineering: B (Advanced Functional Solid-State Materials) , Vol. 272 , pp. 115347. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2021.115347 | Impact Factor: 4.75 [Link]
• Shumaila Mureed, Sadia Naz, Ali Haider, Ali Raza, Anwar Ul-Hamid, Junaid Haider, Muhammad Ikram, Rabia Ghaffar, Muneeb Irshad, Abdul Ghaffar and Aamer Saeed (2021). "Development of Multi-concentration Cu:Ag Bimetallic Nanoparticles as a Promising Bactericidal for Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria as Evaluated with Molecular Docking Study." Nanoscale Research Letters , Vol. 16 , pp. 91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-021-03547-6 | Impact Factor: 4.46 [Link]
• Muneeb Irshad, Mehak Khalid, Muhammad Rafique, Asif Nadeem Tabish, Ahmad Shakeel, Khurram Siraj, Abdul Ghaffar, Rizwan Raza, Muhammad Ahsan, Quar tul Ain, Qurat ul Ain (2021). "Electrochemical investigations of BaCe0.7-xSmxZr0.2Y0.1O3-δ sintered at low sintering temperature as perovskite electrolyte for IT-SOFC." Sustainability , Vol. 13 , pp. 12595. DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212595 | Impact Factor: 3.48 [Link]
• Muneeb Irshad, Mehak Khalid, Muhammad Rafique, Naveed Ahmad, Khurram Siraj, Rizwan Raza, Muhammad Sadiq, Muhammad Ahsan, Abdul Ghaffar and Amina Ashfaq (2021). "Evaluation of BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.2−xNixO3−δ perovskite cathode using nickel as a sintering aid for IT-SOFC." RSC Advances , Vol. 11 , pp. 14475-14483. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D1RA00789K | Impact Factor: 3.27 [Link]
• M. Irshad, K. Siraj, R. Raza, M. Rafique, M. Usman, Q. ul Ain, and A. Ghaffar (2021). "Evaluation of densification effects on the properties of 8 mol % yttria stabilized zirconia electrolyte synthesized by cost effective coprecipitation route." Ceramics International , Vol. 47 (2) , pp. 2857-2863. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2020.09.140 | Impact Factor: 4.13 [Link]
• Arif Allah Rakha, Monas Shahzad, Abdul Ghaffar, Khalid Javed, Aneel Pervez, Nasim Sarwar, Mahroze Munam (2021). "Power conversion efficiency of hybrid solar cells based on Camellia sinensis doped polyvinyl alcohol and ZnO nanoparticles." Optical Materials , Vol. 120 , pp. 111434. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2021.111434 | Impact Factor: 3.06 [Link]
• M. Ikram, S. Abbasi, A. Haider, S. Naz, A. Ul-Hamid, M. Imran, J. Haider, A. Ghaffar (2020). "Bimetallic Ag/Cu incorporated into chemically exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets to enhance its antibacterial potential: in silico molecular docking studies." Nanotechnology , Vol. 31 (27) , pp. 275704. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab8087 | Impact Factor: 3.55 [Link]
• Jelena Horky, Abdul Ghaffar, Katharina Werbach, Bernhard Mingler, Stefan Pogatscher, Robin Schäublin, Daria Setman, Peter J Uggowitzer, Jörg F Löffler, Michael J Zehetbauer (2019). "Exceptional Strengthening of Biodegradable Mg-Zn-Ca Alloys through High Pressure Torsion and Subsequent Heat Treatment." Materials (Basel) , Vol. 12 (15) , pp. 2460. DOI: 10.3390/ma12152460 | Impact Factor: 3.06 [Link]

Awards/Achievements

• Award of PhD Scholarship in Natural and Basic Sciences (2007), Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. Fully funded scholarship awarded by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. The scholarship was awarded for PhD studies at the University of Vienna, Austria.
• Academic Role of Honor & Gold Medal (2001), Government College Lahore.. Awarded for achieving the First Position in the entire Master of Science (MSc) in Physics cohort.