I work in Applied Electrochemistry

Below are the areas of interest that I am currently involved in:

Solution Processed Solar Cells and Dual Function Devices

We design and implement novel photoanode and counter electrode architectures and modify the hole transport layer with efficient components capable of delivering high power conversion efficiencies, comparable to that of DSSCs. We are also looking at the integration of two functions like (1) energy storage and saving- electrochromic supercapacitor, and (2) energy conversion and storage- photo-supercapacitor, and are attempting to develop many exciting cell architectures that are highly efficient and can deliver optimal performances.

Lithium Based Batteries

While on a realistic note, it is impossible to achieve an optimal balance between price, weight, longevity, capacity, energy density and safety for a Lithium based battery, however, by implementing a unique Lithium-Selenium (Li-Se) battery configuration, some of these challenges have been addressed. In a work of note, high performance Se cathode was prepared by direct dry-grinding of Se with graphite platelet nanofibers that delivered an initial capacity of 847 mAh g_Se^-1 at 0.1 C-rate, and retained a high reversible capacity of 497 mAh g_Se^-1 even after 200 charge-discharge cycles.

Currently, Li-S, Li-Se and Zn-ion batteries unique architectures to result in a long cycle life are being explored.

High Performance Supercapacitors

Considering the applications which are currently in vogue, namely, consumer electronic devices, powered tools, where supercapacitors can be either used alone or in tandem with batteries, thus, improving the latter’s operational life, a better balance between energy density and power density is desirable. Composites of metal chalcogenides or oxides with carbon nanostructures or conducting polymers are capable of delivering this, for the chalcogenide/oxide can sustain a wide voltage window (>1 V), maximize energy density, while the carbon ensures fast charge transfer and propagation, thus preserving a high power density. To this end, supercapacitors with novel electrode configurations and high performance metrics are being implemented.

Silicon Nanowires Based Liquid Junction Solar Cells

We work on liquid junction silicon nanowire (SiNW) based solar cells, where the photoanode architecture is modified by applying hole transport materials like carbon coated tellurium nanorods, graphene quantum dots or conducting polymers etc as opposed to the traditional approach of using metal nanoparticles, and record efficiencies have been achieved. We are trying to achieve an optimal balance between shelf life, operational life and efficiency in these cells.

Photoelectrochromic Device

We work on dual function photoelectrochromic (PEC) glass, where a single device performs the functions of energy conversion and saving concurrently. While till date, predominantly, dye based PEC devices have been explored primarily driven by the ease of coupling the well-established DSSC with EC technologies, we are among the few who are attempting to develop high performance low cost quantum dot or natural dye based PEC devices, where the PEC glass exhibits a large visible light transmission modulation while simultaneously having a high solar power conversion.