We are developing advanced battery technologies for applications in consumer electronics and electric vehicles (EVs). To achieve this, the design of novel electrode materials with high specific capacity, fast charge-discharge kinetics, and long-term cycling stability is crucial for meeting the stringent performance requirements of next-generation devices. Equally important, electrolyte engineering is a key enabler, as it governs ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability windows, solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, and overall battery safety. By integrating optimized electrode architectures with tailored electrolyte systems, we aim to deliver batteries with higher energy density, improved rate capability, extended lifespan, and enhanced safety.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are at the forefront of next-generation energy storage, driven by the urgent need for longer driving ranges in electric vehicles and extended lifetimes in portable electronics. Their development focuses on increasing energy density beyond current commercial limits (~250-300 Wh kg⁻¹) while maintaining safety, cost-effectiveness, and cycling stability. Strategies include the design of high-capacity electrode materials such as nickel-rich layered oxides (NMC, LCO), lithium-rich cathodes, and silicon- or lithium-metal-based anodes, combined with stable electrolytes capable of operating under high voltage. Advances in electrode-electrolyte interface engineering, and electrolyte additives are also critical for suppressing side reactions and enhancing structural integrity during cycling. Moreover, the integration of novel hybrid electrolyte systems shows promise in achieving both high energy and safety. Continued research is essential to balance capacity, stability, and manufacturability, ultimately enabling high-energy Li-ion batteries to power sustainable electrification.

Key Publications: 1. Overlooked challenges of interfacial chemistry upon developing high-energy density silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries,  Materials Science & Engineering R, 2024, 161,  100854. 2. Electron-Donating or -Withdrawing Groups of Carbonate Solvent on Lithium-Ion (De)intercalation Chemistry, ACS Energy Lett. , 2024,  9, 4386-4398. 3. Thermodynamic and Kinetic Behaviors of Electrolytes Mediated by Intermolecular Interactions Enabling High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries,  ACS Nano., 2024, 18, 33, 22503-22517. 4. Non-Flammable Electrolyte Mediated by Solvation Chemistry toward High-Voltage Lithium-Ion Batteries,  ACS Energy Lett., 2024, 9, 4, 1604–1616. 5. High Voltage Electrolyte Design Mediated by Advanced Solvation Chemistry Toward High Energy Density and Fast Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries,  Adv. Energy Mater., 2024, 14, 2304321. 

High-energy lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) are considered next-generation energy storage systems due to lithium’s ultrahigh theoretical capacity (3860 mAh g⁻¹) and lowest electrochemical potential (–3.04 V vs. SHE), enabling much higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion batteries. They are promising for electric vehicles, portable devices, and large-scale storage. However, their practical application is hindered by dendritic lithium growth, unstable solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI), low coulombic efficiency, and safety concerns from short-circuiting. Current research addresses these challenges through protective interphase engineering, and advanced electrolyte design along with functional additives, to regulate Li deposition, show promise in improving stability and safety. With these advancements, LMBs could surpass existing Li-ion systems.

Key Publications: 1. Ether-Oxygen Groups Modified Carboxylic Ester Enabling High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries,  Angew. Chem., 2025, e202504490. 2. Trace Ethylene Carbonate Mediated Low-Concentration Ether-based Electrolytes for High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries,  Energ Environ Sci., 2024, 17, 5613-5626. 3. Electrolyte Solvent-Ion Configuration Deciphering Lithium Plating/Stripping Chemistry for High-Performance Lithium Metal Battery, Adv. Funct. Mater., 2025, 2420327. 4. Low-Temperature and Fast-Charging Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Solvent–Solvent Interaction Mediated Electrolyte, Nano Lett. , 2024, 24, 24, 7499–7507.

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are emerging as promising next-generation energy storage systems due to their exceptional theoretical energy density (~2600 Wh kg⁻¹) and the natural abundance, low cost, and environmental benignity of sulfur. Unlike conventional Li-ion batteries, Li-S batteries rely on the multi-electron redox reaction of sulfur, enabling superior capacity. However, their development faces critical challenges such as the polysulfide shuttle effect, poor electronic conductivity of sulfur, large volume changes during cycling, and lithium dendrite formation. Recent advances in cathode engineering, electrolyte optimization, interfacial modifications, and protective anode strategies have significantly improved their cycle life and efficiency. Ongoing research aims to overcome these bottlenecks, making Li-S batteries highly attractive for applications in electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage.

Key Publications: 1. Multilayer Approach for Advanced Hybrid Lithium Battery, ACS Nano, 2016, 10, 6037–6044. 2. High-performance graphene/sulfur electrodes for flexible Li-ion batteries using the low-temperature spraying method, Nanoscale, 2015, 7, 8093-8100. 3. Redox Species-Based Electrolytes for Advanced Rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries,  ACS Energy Lett., 2016, 1, 529−534. 4. Scalable Approach To Construct Free-Standing and Flexible Carbon Networks for Lithium–Sulfur Battery,  ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2017, 9, 8047−8054. 5. New insights on graphite anode stability in rechargeable batteries: Li ion coordination structures prevail over solid electrolyte interphases,  ACS Energy Lett.,  2018, 3, 2, 335–340. 6. Phase inversion strategy to flexible freestanding electrode: critical coupling of binders and electrolytes for high performance Li-S battery, Adv.  Funct.  Mater.,  2018, 28, 1802244.

Potassium-ion (K-ion) batteries have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion systems, driven by the abundance, low cost, and wide availability of potassium resources. Their relatively low redox potential (−2.93 V vs. SHE) enables a high working voltage, while the larger ionic radius of K⁺ facilitates unique intercalation chemistry and fast ionic transport in certain host materials. Recent developments focus on engineering high-capacity anodes, such as hard carbon, alloying materials, and novel composites, alongside high-voltage cathodes like layered oxides and Prussian blue analogues. Advances in electrolytes, including KFSI- and KTFSI-based salts with stable SEI formation, are further improving cycle life and safety. Together, these innovations are pushing K-ion batteries toward practical high-energy storage applications in grid and mobility sectors.

Key Publications: 1. High-rate, long-lifespan, sustainable potassium-ion batteries enabled by non-fluorinated solvents,  Materials Science & Engineering R,  2025, 10163. 2. Intermolecular Interaction Mediated Potassium Ion Intercalation Chemistry in Ether-Based Electrolyte for Potassium-Ion Batteries,  Adv. Funct. Mater., 2024, 2401118. 3. RGraphic, Quantitation, Visualization, Standardization, Digitization, and Intelligence of Electrolyte and Electrolyte-Electrode Interface,  Adv. Energy Mater.,  2024, 2400569. 4. Electrolyte exchange experiment in batteries: Failure analysis and prospect,  J. Energy Chem, 2025, 103, 601-623.

Potassium-sulfur (K-S) batteries have emerged as a promising class of high-energy storage systems due to the natural abundance, low cost, and eco-friendliness of potassium and sulfur. With a theoretical energy density of ~1,274 Wh kg⁻¹, K-S batteries are considered viable alternatives to lithium-sulfur counterparts, particularly for large-scale grid storage where cost-effectiveness is critical. Their development, however, faces challenges such as sluggish reaction kinetics, shuttle effects of soluble polysulfides, and volume changes during cycling. Recent strategies focus on designing advanced cathode hosts with strong adsorption sites, functional electrolytes to suppress polysulfide dissolution, and engineered interlayers to stabilize redox chemistry. Continuous progress in material design and interface engineering is accelerating the path toward practical, long-life, and high-energy K-S batteries.

Key Publications: 1. Ultralow Concentration Nonflammable Electrolytes Mediated by Intermolecular Interactions for Safer Potassium-Ion Sulfur Batteries,  Adv. Funct. Mater., 2024, 2416714. 2. Electrolyte Intermolecular Interaction Mediated Nonflammable Potassium-Ion Sulfur Batteries, ACS Energy Lett., 2024, 9, 7, 3536-3546. 3. Graphic, Quantitation, Visualization, Standardization, Digitization, and Intelligence of Electrolyte and Electrolyte-Electrode Interface,  Adv. Energy Mater.,  2024, 2400569. 4. Electrolyte exchange experiment in batteries: Failure analysis and prospect,  J. Energy Chem, 2025, 103, 601-623.

High-energy thin-film micro-batteries have emerged as a promising power source for next-generation miniaturized electronic devices, including medical implants, smart cards, MEMS, and IoT sensors. These batteries utilize solid-state architectures, typically integrating lithium-based chemistries with thin-film deposition techniques such as sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, or atomic layer deposition to achieve compact, lightweight, and flexible designs. Unlike conventional batteries, they offer superior safety, long cycle life, and excellent thermal stability due to the absence of liquid electrolytes. Recent developments focus on enhancing energy density through advanced electrode materials like LiCoO₂, LiPON-based solid electrolytes, and nanostructured interfaces, enabling higher ionic conductivity and stability. Continued innovation in scalable fabrication methods and material engineering is critical for expanding their applications in wearable and implantable electronics.

Key Publications: 1. RuO2 as Cathode Material of Thin Film Lithium-Ion Micro-batteries, L. Xu, X. Wang, P. Kumar, D. Perego, A. Weathers, B. Wang, M. Chon, Carl V. Thompson, MIT-Press (https://ilp.mit.edu/node/41994).

Zinc-ion (Zn-ion) batteries are rapidly gaining traction as a safe, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion systems, driven primarily by the exceptional abundance, low cost, and non-toxicity of zinc metal and the inherent safety of their mild, non-flammable aqueous electrolytes. The metallic zinc anode's high theoretical capacity (820 mAh/g) and the Zn2+-ion's divalent nature, allowing for two-electron transfer, promise high energy density when paired with suitable cathodes. Recent developments are focused on engineering high-performance cathode materials like manganese-based oxides and vanadium-based compounds to achieve high capacity and structural stability, alongside advancements in electrolytes and interface engineering to suppress dendrite formation and ensure long cycle life. Together, these innovations are pushing Zn-ion batteries toward practical deployment in large-scale grid energy storage and stationary backup power, capitalizing on their durability and inherent safety.

Key Publications: 1. 

Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) materials are the crucial electrocatalysts driving the sustainable production of hydrogen gas from water electrolysis, a key technology for the future clean energy economy, and are urgently needed as cost-effective, high-performance alternatives to the benchmark Platinum (Pt), which is limited by its scarcity and high cost. The current focus is on developing non-precious metal catalysts that can match or exceed Pt's kinetic activity and durability, particularly by engineering their electronic structure and active surface area. Promising material classes include Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (like MoS2), Transition Metal Phosphides (TMPs) (such as CoP and Ni2P), and Transition Metal Carbides/Nitrides, all of which leverage Earth-abundant elements. Recent advancements highlight strategies like atomic-level control, including the synthesis of single-atom and dual-atom catalysts for maximum metal atom utilization, and sophisticated nano structuring (e.g., nanosheets and porous architectures) to expose more active sites and enhance charge transport. These breakthroughs in materials design, coupled with a deep understanding of reaction mechanisms, are rapidly propelling HER materials toward commercial viability in large-scale electrolyzers for cost-efficient, green hydrogen production.

Key Publications: 1. 

@School of Physical Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi - 110067