Shadeepa Karunarathne
UN SDGs:
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Research

Shadeepa Karunarathne is conducting his doctoral research in Material Science from Bournemouth University, focusing on multifunctional electrocatalytic cathodes for lithium-air and lithium-oxygen batteries. He previously worked as a Science Group Leader at the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), leading projects on graphene-based nanomaterials, printed electronics, and energy storage solutions.

His research spans lithium-ion, lithium-air, and lithium-metal batteries, as well as green hydrogen technologies, with expertise in electrode materials, defect engineering, and electrocatalysis. He has published 15 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, holds a patent on graphene-based sensor technology, and has presented his work at international conferences.

Shadeepa has collaborated with academic and industrial partners, contributing to fundamental research and translational innovations. He has received several awards, including the Doctoral College Outstanding Contribution Award and the RSC Best Poster Award for Advanced Battery Materials.

He is keenly interested in Li-CO₂ batteries, integrating CO₂ capture with energy storage. His work directly supports the UK’s Net Zero goals by advancing sustainable energy solutions.

Electrocatalysis and Sustainable Energy Storage

My research focuses on the development of advanced electrocatalytic materials for next-generation energy storage and conversion technologies. I specialize in lithium-air, lithium-metal, and lithium-ion batteries, with an emphasis on electrode material design, defect engineering, and electrochemical performance optimization. By integrating nanomaterials and tailored catalytic architectures, I aim to enhance the efficiency, stability, and sustainability of energy storage systems.

Carbon Nanomaterials and Functional Interfaces

Beyond battery technologies, I have a strong interest in carbon nanomaterials and their applications in electrochemical systems. My research spans the synthesis, functionalization, and structural tuning of graphene-based and transition metal oxide, phosphide, and heterogeneous materials for energy applications. I have worked extensively on 2D material-based electrodes, defect-engineered catalysts, and hybrid nanostructures to optimize reaction kinetics in energy storage and conversion devices.

Currently, I am expanding my research to explore molten salt batteries, advanced redox chemistries, and novel recycling strategies for spent lithium-ion batteries to enable a circular economy in energy storage.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person's work contributes towards the following SDGs:

Clean water and sanitation

"Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all"

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Affordable and clean energy

"Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all"

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Industry, innovation and infrastructure

"Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation"

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Responsible consumption and production

"Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns"

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Journal Articles

  • Karunarathne, S., Sandaruwan, C., Kannangara, Y.Y., Demko, D., Orange, F., Mija, A., Kamai, A.R. and Abdelkader, A.M., 2025. Triphase Heterogeneous Electrocatalysts of Ni and Co for High-Performing Li-O2 Batteries. EcoMat, 7 (3).
  • Karunarathne, S., Pérez, G.E., Wijesinghe, W.P.S.L., Orange, F., Kannangara, Y.Y., Ratwani, C.R., Sandaruwan, C., Mija, A., Kamali, A.R. and Abdelkader, A.M., 2025. Optimizing discharge product morphology with hetero-nanostructured NiCoP/NiCo2O4 for enhanced sustainability in Li-O2 battery performance. Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
  • Guimarey, M.J.G., Karunarathne, S., Ratwani, C.R., Viesca, J.L., Battez, A.H. and Abdelkader, A.M., 2024. 2D mica as a new additive for nanolubricants with high tribological performance. Tribology International, 200.
  • Karalasingam, A., Karunarathne, S., Wijesinghe, W.P.S.L., Sameera, S.A.L., De Silva, M.G.S. and Amaratunga, G.A., 2024. Influence of graphene nanoplatelets on the thermal conductivity of heat transfer oils based on the developed hotwire method. Physica Scripta, 99 (9).
  • Karunarathne, S., Malaarachchi, C.K., Abdelkader, A.M. and Kamali, A.R., 2024. Advances in bifunctional electrocatalysts towards high-performing Li-air batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 607.
  • Kannangara, Y.Y., Karunarathne, S., Wijesinghe, W.P.S.L., Sandaruwan, C., Ratwani, C.R., Kamali, A.R. and Abdelkader, A.M., 2024. The electrochemical performance of various NiCo2O4 nanostructures in hybrid supercapacitors: Investigating the impact of crystalline defects. Journal of Energy Storage, 84.
  • Karunarathne, S., Kannangara, Y.Y., Ratwani, C.R., Sandaruwan, C., Wijesinghe, W.P.S.L., Kamali, A.R. and Abdelkader, A.M., 2024. Stoichiometrically optimized eg orbital occupancy of Ni-Co oxide catalysts for Li-air batteries. Nanoscale, 16 (16), 7937-7950.
  • Ratwani, C.R., Karunarathne, S., Kamali, A.R. and Abdelkader, A.M., 2024. Transforming Nature’s Bath Sponge into Stacking Faults-Enhanced Ag Nanorings-Decorated Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 16 (5), 5847-5856.
  • Attard, G.A., Karunarathne, S. et al., 2024. Mechanism of ORR and OER in non-aqueous electrolytes: general discussion. Faraday Discuss, 248 (0), 210-249.
  • Karunarathna, R., Ranasinghe Arachchige, H., Karunarathne, S., Wijesinghe, W.P.S.L., Sandaruwan, C., Mantilaka, M.M.M.P.G., Kannangara, Y.Y. and Abdelkader, A.M., 2024. Intercalating Graphite-Based Na-Ion Battery Anodes with Integrated Magnetite. Small Science.
  • Kong, L., Li, Z., Zhu, W., Ratwani, C.R., Fernando, N., Karunarathne, S., Abdelkader, A.M., Kamali, A.R. and Shi, Z., 2023. Sustainable regeneration of high-performance LiCoO2 from completely failed lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 640, 1080-1088.
  • Madhuwantha, M.D., Galagedara, H., Kannangara, Y.Y., Karunarathne, S., Mantilaka, M.M.M.G.P.G., Perera, H.C.S., Mahadeva, R., Arya, S., Rajapakse, R.M.G. and Wijesinghe, W.P.S.L., 2023. Low-cost ZnO incorporated carbonized nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) as a relative humidity monitoring sensor. MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING B-ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL SOLID-STATE MATERIALS, 298.
  • Sameera, S.A.L., Edirisinghe, N.P., Kannangara, Y.Y., Karunarathne, S., Koswattage, K.R., Perera, H.C.S., Das, G., Mantilaka, M.M.M.G.P.G. and Wijesinghe, W.P.S.L., 2023. Enhanced Wide Spectrum Photocatalytic Activity by in-Situ Magnetite-Graphite Nanoplatelets Heterostructure. IEEE Access, 11, 68912-68924.
  • Karunarathne, T.S.E.F., Sandaruwan, C., Wijesinghe, W.P.S.L., Karalasignham, A., Abdelkader, A.M., Amaratunga, G.A.J. and de Silva, S.G.M., 2022. Development of universal fabric dyeing and adhesion through RF glow discharge plasma treatment. Vacuum, 204.
  • Karunarathne, T.S.E.F., Wijesinghe, W.P.S.L., Rathuwadu, N.P.W., Karalasingam, A., Manoharan, N., Sameera, S.A.L., Sandaruwan, C., Amaratunga, G.A. and de Silva, S.G.M., 2020. Fabrication and Characterization of Partially Conjugated Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Based Resistive Humidity Sensor. Sensors and Actuators, A: Physical, 314.
  • Wijesinghe, W.P.S.L., Mantilaka, M.M.M.G.P.G., Karunarathne, T.S.E.F. and Rajapakse, R.M.G., 2019. Synthesis of a hydroxyapatite/poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite using dolomite. Nanoscale Advances, 1 (1), 86-88.
  • Sandaruwan, C., Herath, H.M.P.C.K., Karunarathne, T.S.E.F., Ratnayake, S.P., Amaratunga, G.A.J. and Dissanayake, D.P., 2018. Polyaniline/palladium nanohybrids for moisture and hydrogen detection. Chemistry Central Journal, 12 (1).

Grants

  • Conversion of carbon-based polymers into conductive carbon nanomaterials for electronic applications (National Research Council, Sri Lanka, 01 Sep 2020). Completed

Journal Reviewing/Refereeing

  • Energy Storage Materials, Anonymous peer review, 01 Jan 2024
  • Materials Science & Engineering B: Solid-State Materials for Advanced Technology, Anonymous peer review, 01 Jan 2024

Memberships

  • Royal Society of Chemistry, Member (2023-),