Research

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

PhD Work

1) Carbon Nanotube Triggered Self-Assembly of Oligo (p-phenylenevinylene)s to Stable Hybrid pi-Gels: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) represent a novel class of quasi one-dimensional materials. Addition of small amounts of CNTs to a solution of oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV1) in toluene triggers the self-assembly which leads to the formation of a composite gel. This strategy allows the dispersion and alignment of CNTs within an organic self-assembly (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 5746-5749; CI: 91).

 2) Bioinspired Superhydrophobic Coatings of Carbon Nanotubes and Linear pi Systems based on the “Bottom-up” Self-Assembly Approach: The self-cleaning superhydrophobicity of plant leaves, particularly of the lotus leaf is considered as a symbol of purity. We mimic lotus leaf by creating superhydrophobic coatings through supramolecular interaction between OPVs and CNTs. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 5750-5754, WO/2009/037717; CI: 143).

3) Reversible Self-Assembly of Entrapped Fluorescent Gelators in Polymerized Styrene Gel Matrix: Erasable Thermal Imaging via Recreation of Supramolecular Architectures:The reversible shift of emission in fluorescent molecular gelators has been explored for the preparation of a composite polymer film useful for erasable thermal imaging and secret documentation and solvent vapour sensor. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 15122-15123; CI: 95).

PDF Work

4) A Bifunctional Approach for the Preparation of Ionic liquid/Graphene Gels: We developed the concept of bifunctional approach by using functional molecules which (1) can enable the solubilization of GO sheets in ionic liquids (ILs) and (2) can facilitate the highly efficient thermal reduction of GO to RGO on account of the high thermal stability of ILs. We have demonstrated this concept by incorporating an imidazolium cation onto pyrene which can interact with RGO via cation–pi and pi–pi interactions to form highly stable, porous hybrid gel materials. (J. Mater. Chemistry A, 1, 43-48, 2013 (IF: 7.443, Citation Index: 13).

5) A Semiconducting Organic Radical Cationic Host Guest Complex: Organic host-guest inclusion complexes driven by radical-radical interactions are relatively rare in comparison to the commonality of their donor-acceptor counterparts. Likewise, host-guest complexes which are conductive in the solid-state have yet to be widely explored as materials for electronic applications. We demonstrated the construction of an OFET using lithographic techniques, which apply source and drain leads to single crystals composed of a host-guest complex involving the diradical dicationic CBPQT2(•+) ring complexed with the radical cationic MV•+ guest, and showed their p-type semiconductivity. (ACS Nano., 6, 9964-9971, 2012) (IF: 12.88, Citation Index: 14).

6) Direct Exfoliation of Graphite to Graphene: In recent times, the materials properties of graphene have generated ever-increasing interest across multiple scientific disciplines including physics, material science and chemistry. Generally, the techniques used to prepare graphene are based on either physical processes, chemical methodologies or a blend of the two. Physical methods are costly and chemical oxidation of graphite to graphene oxide (GO), followed by reduction, results in reduced graphene oxide (RGO) in large quantities, this method generates defect-laden RGO to the extent that the resultant graphene is generally of lower quality than that produced by physical methods. We addressed these issues by preparing graphene by direct exfoliation of graphite through pi-pi interactions between the N,N′-dimethyl-2,9-diazaperopyrenium dication and graphene in aqueous media. (Adv. Mater. 2013, 25, 2740-2745) (IF: 17.49, Citation Index: 32).

7) Ordered Supramolecular Gels Based on Graphene Oxide and Tetracationic Cyclophanes:We develop a new strategy to form ordered hierarchical supramolecular gels incorporating graphene oxide (GO) sheets and cationic rigid macrocyles under mild conditions via self-assembly. These ordered gels are stabilized by series of non-covalent ― donor-acceptor, π-π stacking, cation-π ― interactions. Our theoretical studies indicate that cationic macrocyles are positioned in between GO layers with a substantial binding energy. (Adv. Mater. 2014, 26, 2725–2729) (IF: 17.49, Citation Index: 11).

PRESENT WORK/AREA OF INTEREST

We are working in the field of functional hybrid materials for opto-electronic applications. we design, synthesis and study  small organic molecules. These molecules have been used to prepare nanocomposites through  self-assemble approach. They may self-organize with carbon based nanomaterials such as fullerene, carbon nanotubes, graphene and carbon quantum dots via non-covalent interaction, which may lead to the potential application of these materials in the optoelectronics and energy storage devices. 

We study the photo-physical and morphology properties of carbon quantum dots. The quantum dots are prepared by “top-down” approach starting from graphite. The functionalized quantum dots show interesting green emission as well as white emission. These materials are used for the preparation of nanocomposite as well as for biological studies

Controlled drug delivery is an important task in the field of medicine. We use microcapsules based on polymer nanocomposites for the controlled, sustained and targeted drug delivery.