Research Expertise
Research Expertise:
On being a part of a leading research group on porous materials, I have gained thorough experience and acquired expertise in synthesis of various classes of porous materials. In specific, I have expertise in synthesis of organic linkers through multiple reaction steps and subsequent synthesis of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Covalent-Organic Frameworks (COFs) and Metal-Organic Polyhedra (MOPs). I have experience in characterizing the synthesized materials through numerous spectroscopic techniques like FTIR, NMR, UV-vis, etc. For the materials characterization, I have detailed knowledge and experience in collecting X-ray diffraction data from Rigaku and Bruker made Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometer, solving macromolecular structure, modelling their disorders and presentation for scientific reports. I am equally experienced in handling other analytical instruments like Powder X-ray Diffractometers, TGA, low pressure and high pressure gas and vapor adsorption measurement, ESR, Contact Angle measurement, MALDI MS, Gas Chromatogram, , Supercritical dryer, Electron microscopes (SEM, TEM and AFM).
On specific instances, during my doctoral research I have worked on
a. Hydrolytic conversion of functionalized MOP into MOF and the mechanistic Insight
Here, I have studied the effect of hydrophobic functionality on the outer surface of MOP and its conversion into layered MOFs. Through proper investigation, mechanism has been derived to explain the role of water as stimuli.
b. Application of porous MOPs for encapsulation and release of drugs
Utilizing the inherent porosity of the MOP structures, drug molecules have been loaded into the core through host-guest chemistry and their subequent release through unfolding the scaffold.
c. Inkless and erasable printing
Considering the negative environmental impact of traditional paper cycle, I have introduced the possibility of media for 'inkless and erasable printing'. Through sequential development of photochromic MOFs, I have shown the potential of porous materials in this aspect, developed a real media and tested its capability through various tools. Report on this work has been published in Chemical Science and included as a part of themed collection:
d. Solvatochromic MOFs
Here I have investigated the varying interaction of solvent molecules with the pore walls of MOFs that contain chromophores. This has lead to generation of distinct solvatochromic property with fast reversibility.
e. Porous MOFs for chemical sensing
Taking the idea of chromophore containing porous MOFs, I have worked to show their capability for fast and efficient sensing of hazardous organic pollutants.
f. 2D nanosheet materials
In an approach to solve the issues of scalability and uniformity for synthesis of metal-organic nanosheets, I have developed an unique way comprising of both top-down and bottom-up segments. The resulted nanosheets have found to be superior than traditionally generated nanomaterials and expected to be promising for separation and/or removal based applications.
g. Porous materials for gas and toxic vapor adsorption
As the key property of several synthesized porous MOFs and COFs, I have studied and systematically studied for their adsorption properties for various gases and toxic vapor.
h. Structural model simulation
On an additional note, I have experience in basic formation, optimization and simulation of the structure for macromolecular assemblies like COFs, through use of Materials Studio software package from Accelrys.