• Modulation and changing the surface chemistry being used to make novel nano-size materials as well as to drive catalytic reactions. Other applications include as sensors and adsorption of drugs and carcinogenic substances, respectively, from wastewater.• Synthesis by molecular design of environmentally friendly and low-cost catalysts, surfaces, ceramics, nano-materials and other materials.• Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic studies of the immobilized transition metal nano-materials, modified zeolites and nano-sized mixed-oxides are being pursued. Characterization of the structural, surface, bulk, magnetic, electronic, morphologic, electrochemical and thermal properties of these materials is also a vital part of my works.• Redox catalytic cycles developed based on changes in oxidation states of heavy metals ions nanoparticles. Some of the catalytic reactions include activation of CO2 in supercritical media, solid state, solvent free, selective oxidation of hydrocarbons such ethyl benzene, cyclohexene, benzyl alcohol and oximes.• Sorption Processes: Removal of heavy metals, organic pollutions, phosphate and dyes by heterogenized nanoparticles, nano-composite, nano-biocomposite, nano-dendrimers and inexpensive sorbents such as ostrich bone waste, modified ostrich bone waste, cereal ashes, Spondias purpurea seed waste, Azolla filiculoids, and barley straw ash.• I find it important that our technology can be scaled-up and is of use in a variety of industrial applications ranging from sensors, coatings, water treatment, catalysis and biological systems.