The Centre of Excellence (COE) is engaged in research and development activities in the broad areas encompassing the individual developments in, or an integration of Advanced Materials and Green Technologies based on material synthesis, material characterization, material modification, and innovative methodologies of application. The four main focus areas proposed in the research activities of the Center are Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Green Applications, Environmental and Biological Sensors, Bio-inspired Materials for Green Applications and Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Development. There is a significant overlap between these four focus areas due to the interdisciplinary nature of most of the projects. The Centre aims to study the physicochemical interactions of materials in various environments and engineer novel materials for suitable applications in these environments. The research activities of the Center encompass considerations of sustainability, advanced technological developments, basic research, industrial involvement, medical needs, ethical considerations, and governmental regulations.
Research activities in the Center are under the following thrust areas
The lab research focus is on development of new materials and devices for generation and storage of energy in electrochemical form. Global demand for cleaner and greener energy drives the lab.
The research work in the lab is mainly focussed on the development of intensified and integrated technologies and catalysts for the conversion of biomass to engine-grade fuels and chemicals, mixed-paraffin dehydrogenation and solar cogeneration. We also work on heat integrated reactors for the production of hydrogen via Steam Reformation and Dry Reformation
In Advanced Functional Materials Laboratory, our research activities have been aimed at:
We work with multi-disciplinary teams in developing sustainable technologies and solutions for global challenges. We work both on fundamental and highly applied research, and the problems we work on are diverse.
Electrodeposition of Metals, Alloys and Compounds :
We use electrodeposition as a synthesis strategy to developed controlled morphologies and compositions of thin films of metals, alloys and compounds.
We have studied electrodeposition of bismuth from acidic baths and deposited different morphologies of bismuth films by choice of bath composition (including additives), pH and deposition conditions. We have electrodeposited SnBi and SnIn alloys from acidic baths for microelectronic packaging and have shown that it is possible to deposit alloys of a wide range of compositions (e.g., 14% to 75% Sn, including eutectic alloys) with smooth morphologies and good surface coverage. We are working on developing the flip-chip technologies for indium, tin-bismuth and tin-indium alloys. We have shown, for the first time, that it is possible to electrodeposit bismuth iodide and oxyiodide thin films of controlled stoichiometries from a single bath.
Ongoing research :
Presently, we are interested in understanding the synthesis-structure and structure-property relationships in electrodeposition of metals, alloys and compounds. We seek collaborations in modelling and simulation of electrodeposition of bismuth, tin-bismuth alloy and bismuth iodide from different baths, particularly the nucleation and crystal growth phenomena.
Electrochemical Sensors :
We have developed bismuth-based and graphene-based electrochemical sensors for the detection of various analytes including heavy metals (particularly lead ions) in water, biomolecules in urine and serum matrices (dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid, collaboration with Dr. Nikhil Kothurkar – CEMS), antioxidants and nutrients in food matrices (ascorbic acid, folic acid, ferulic acid, vanillin), and macronutrients (NPK) in soils (collaboration with Dr. A. Purushothaman – Electronics and Communication Engineering). Towards understanding and designing graphene-based sensors, we have employed semi-empirical simulations of graphene oxide-analyte interactions.
Ongoing research :
We are interested in developing real-time electrochemical sensors for detection of heavy metal ions and macronutrients (NPK) in water and soil. To this end, the sensor technology is being standardized and collaboratively, we are developing portable potentiostat and the required instrumentation. We have initiated studies of degradation of screen-printed electrode materials in water and soil matrices. We seek collaborations on systems-level simulations of sensor networks employing such devices.
Water Distribution and Quality Management :
We are developing feasible, affordable and versatile technology solutions for real-time management of water distribution and quality. In an ongoing study, we are examining how to minimize the number and optimize the placement of water flow/pressure sensors in large water distribution networks for real-time localization and detection of leaks in the networks. This is a collaboration with Dr. Vidhya Balasubramanian (Computer Science and Engineering). We are developing packed bed electrochemical reactors for removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater. In this system, we are also exploring the simultaneous production of hydrogen by water electrolysis. We are also developing filters for heavy metal ions using cementitious materials (collaboration with Dr. Manu Santhanam and Dr. Mathava Kumar of IIT Madras). We are designing and developing continuous reactors for electrocoagulation- and advanced oxidation-based removal of various pollutants from water including pesticides and dyes.
Products being developed
Our research is centred around the development of nanomaterials and nanostructured materials for various applications with an emphasis on energy applications, such as photovoltaics and electrochemical energy storage.
Carbon-based nanomaterials and their nanocomposites with polymers are an important focus area. It includes graphene, reduced graphene oxide, graphene quantum dots, carbon quantum dots and their polymer nanocomposites for use in low-cost and high-performance supercapacitors, and counter-electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells.
We also develop various semiconductor materials, including 2D materials like MoS2, for the same applications. Band-gap tuning, doping, and surface chemistry modifications and making nanocomposites are some of the methods we use to improve the performance of these materials in the different applications.
We are interested in developing materials for photo-electrochemical production of fuels including and hydrogen and hydrocarbons, using sunlight and CO2. It involves the understanding of the material’s electronic structure, carrier concentration, mobility, trap density, carrier diffusion length and interaction with the electrolyte.
Another focus area is the development of solution chemistry methods for thin film and third generation solar cell fabrication in order to reduce fabrication cost, while maintaining high performance.
We also collaborate with others laboratories in the centre for other application of the materials in areas such as drug delivery, environmental sensors, biosensors and so on.
Electrochemical workstation (ZIVE SP), Two Zone Tubular furnace Labtherm, Thermal evaporator, Spin coater, Centrifuge machine, Four probe conductivity measurement. Chemical vapour deposition
Our group research focuses on the design, synthesis of advanced inorganic, organic nanostructured materials having specific structural and physical properties for the construction of more efficient solar cells, photocatalysts and photodetectors, and we are currently active in the following four broad areas of research:
The research focus of this lab is the development of polymer based composites and nanocomposites for specific applications.
With a view toward sustainability, the researchers of this lab focus on developing materials and technologies based not just on technical functional requirements, but rather more holistically, taking economic, cultural, and social factors into consideration.
The focus areas include sustainable technologies for water treatment (such as bioremediation of water for heavy metals), enzymatic bleaching, biodegradable sanitary pads (from banana stem and water hyacinth), biodegradable composites, bio-based superabsorbent polymers, home-scale biomethanation, solar heating based lemon-grass distillation, and pyrolytic gasification for conversion of bio- and plastic- waste to energy.
Sponsored Research Projects:
Student Projects:
Other Projects:
The research focus of this lab is to functionalize carbon nanomaterials for the sensor and non-linear optical applications. Our research interests also include synthesis of cobaloximes with new or modified equatorial and axial ligands, biologically and medicinally important organic molecules.
Porphyrin-based functional photonic materials have been the cornerstone of research because of their structural rigidity, thermal stability, photochemical, and electrochemical properties. Linking porphyrins to material systems can improve the photochemical and redox properties of the systems. To facilitate the absorptivity of photo absorbers in case of photochemical devices nano materials are functionalized with chromophores such as porphyrin, metalloporphyrin and azo molecules. Our report shows that Porphyrin functionalized carbon nanomaterial shows high third order non-linear optical properties.
Our research interests also include the design and synthesis of cobaloximes with new or modified equatorial and axial ligands. Cobaloxime complexes are among the best synthetic transition metal catalysts known for H2 production. Our interest here to synthesize and characterize new organometallic compounds for H2 production. We reported single crystal X-ray structure of many new cobaloximes. Thermotropic liquid crystalline properties of cobaloxime have been reported for the first time. The crystal structures of various organic compounds with medicinal, biological and pharmaceutical importance have been reported from our lab.
| S. No. | Name of the Project | Principal Investigator | Funding Agency |
| 1 | Development of scaled-up, pump-less, free-convection-driven, soluble lead redox flow battery | Dr. Mahendra Nandanwar | DST |
| S. No. | Name of the Project | Principal Investigator | Funding Agency |
| 1 | Development of scaled-up, pump-less, free-convection-driven, soluble lead redox flow battery | Dr. Udaya Bhaskar Reddy Ragula | DST – Technology Missions Division |
| 2 | Design and Testing of an Efficient Microchannel Reactor for Hydrogen Production via Heat Integrated Combustion and Steam Reformation of Methane | Dr. Udaya Bhaskar Reddy Ragula | HPCL Green R&D Centre, Bangalore |
| 3 | Study on Flow Patterns and Correlations for Two-phase Heat Transfer in Microchannels for Improving Rate and Response in Wafer Fabrication Systems | Dr. Udaya Bhaskar Reddy Ragula | Lam Research, USA |
| 4 | Separation of Mixed Salt or Metal Cations from Textile / Tannery / Common Effluent Treatment Plant and Other Industries | Dr. Udaya Bhaskar Reddy Ragula | Cheenu Saltern, Coimbatore |
| S. No. | Name of the Project | Principal Investigator | Funding Agency |
| 1 | Heating and Cooling with Microchannel to Drive System Performance (Rate and Response) | Dr. Udaya Bhaskar Reddy Ragula | Lam Research, USA |
| 2 | High Performance Polyether Ketone Carbon Fibre Composite for Future Generation Aviation and Space Applications | Dr. Meera Balachandran | ISRO RESPOND |
| 3 | Water-based coating for anode and cathodes for lithium-ion batteries | Dr. Thirugnasambandam G M | Acsen Electric |
| 4 | Impact of surface structure modification using plasma and its wetting behavior on the corrosion | Dr. Kannan | BRNS |
| 5 | Development of High Temperature Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber Composites for Aviation, Space and Defence | Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik | Gharda Chemicals |
| S. No. | Name of the Project | Principal Investigator | Funding Agency |
| 1 | Development of a Pulsed Flow Packed Bed Electrochemical Reactor for Heavy Metals Removal from Groundwater and Wastewater | Dr. Murali Rangarajan | SERB-EMR |
| 2 | High Temperature Thermoplastic Hybrid Composite for Higher Tensile Strength and Impact Resistance | Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik | Swiss National Science Foundation, Federal Govt. of Switzerland |
| 3 | Development of Light Weight Bullet Proof Materials | Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik | TDFS-DRDO |
| S. No. | Name of the Project | Principal Investigator | Funding Agency |
| 1 | Level 1 DST FIST grant under Chemical Sciences Division High Performance Functional Materials for Strategic Applications | Dr. Sriram Devanathan, Dr. K. Jayanarayanan | DST FIST |
| 2 | Reduction of Coefficient of friction (COF) when PVC insulated wires are pulled out through PVC Conduit | Dr. Meera Balachandran | V-Guard Industries Ltd |
| 3 | A New Class of High-capacity MgScX Ternary Alloys for Next Generation NiMH Batteries and Stationary Hydrogen Storage Applications | Dr. Thirugnasambandam G M | Australian Mines |
| 4 | Natural Convection Driven Flow-Through Soluble Lead Redox Flow Battery With Inbuilt Sonication mechanism for Achieving Longer Cycle Life | Dr. Mahendra | SERB |
| S. No. | Name of the Project | Principal Investigator | Funding Agency |
| 1 | Development of a 10 kW Cogeneration Unit base on Microchannel Heat Exchangers for Efficient Utilization of Solar Energy | Dr. Udaya Bhaskar Reddy Ragula | DST – CERI |
| 2 | Iron Oxide Nanostructures from Anodic Dissolution for Electro-Fenton-mediated Oxidative Degradation of Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) | Dr. Murali Rangarajan | DST-NPDF |
| 3 | State of the Art Transparent High Performance Polymeric Nano Composite Windows for Green Buildings and Transportation | Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik | DST |
| 4 | Development of Ultra High Performance Thermoplastic Polymeric Composite for Future Generation Unmanned Aviation and Hypersonic Aircraft | Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik | Swiss National Science Foundation, Federal Government of Switzerland |
| S. No. | Name of the Project | Principal Investigator | Funding Agency |
| 1 | Kinetics of Mixed-paraffin Dehydrogenation using a Pt-Sn/ Al2O3 Catalyst | Dr. Udaya Bhaskar Reddy Ragula | SERB – YSS |
| 2 | Fluorite structured Mg Zr alloys for hydrogen storage applications | Dr. Thirugnasambandam G M | DST |
| 3 | Photoelectrochemical Splitting of Water with N-doped Graphene-Hematite Composites for Hydrogen Production (PhotoNGrapHy) | Dr. Thirugnasambandam G M | DST |
| 4 | Development of Metal/ Poly Ether Ketone Hybrid Composite Laminates for Nuclear Waste Storage Containers | Dr. K Jayanarayanan | BRNS |
| 5 | Durability of High Performance Nano Adhesive Bonding of Aluminium under Aerospace Environments | Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik | DRDO |
| S. No. | Name of the Project | Principal Investigator | Funding Agency |
| 1 | Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Rubber based nanocomposites for application in corrosive and radiation environments | Dr. Meera Balachandran | UGC – DAE CSR |
| 2 | Development of Ultra High Temperature Resistance Polymeric Nanocomposites for Long Distance Space Applications | Dr. Shanthanu Bhowmik | ISRO |
| S. No. | Name of the Project | Principal Investigator | Funding Agency |
| 1 | Development of Advanced Magnetic Filtration System for Industrial Lubricants | Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik | EU FP7 |
| 2 | Investigation on Ultra High Temperature Resistant Nano Adhesive Bonding of Space Durable Polymer for Aviation and Space Applications | Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik | Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies, Govt. of Korea |
| 3 | Investigation on Carbon Nano Fiber Reinforced Polyether Ether Ketone/Polyether Imides as Polymer Composite Container for Long Time Nuclear Waste Disposal | Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik | BRNS |
| 4 | Centre of Excellence in Advanced Materials and Green Technologies | Dr. Sriram Devanathan Dr. Murali Rangarajan |
MHRD |
