Research Motto
Our research is basically focused on understanding the molecular level interaction using spectroscopic techniques and the materials modelling. Now a days energy requirements are increasing globally and there is a need of high efficient and durable renewable energy sources. Therefore, our group aimed to understand and develop the materials for renewable energy applications. We are focused on fundamental aspects of materials at atomic level and its application to the solar and heat energy conversion using combined approach of experimental and theoretical methods.
Research Areas
Fundamental interactions in ionic liquids
Ionic liquids revealed eco-friendly nature composed of cations and anions, which makes them designer solvents to achieve definite properties. Our group aims to understand the fundamental interaction between the cation and anion using combined approach of spectroscopic techniques (Raman, IR and UV-Vis) and density functional theory, molecular dynamics simulations. The cation part consisting alkyl chain in imidazolium based ionic liquids, which have significant impact on the physical properties of Ionic liquids. Further, we also investigate the binary mixture of Ionic liquids with the polar solvents such as water using the same approach.
Functionalized ionic liquids for renewable energy
Nanomaterials functionalization in ILs provide a desired range of physicochemical properties, which may govern through the interfacial interactions between nanomaterials and ionic liquids. Such exciting properties and novel characterisitic of functionalized ionic liquids might consists the applications in various renewable energy sources such as dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), lithium ion batteries, hydrogen storage, etc. Our group extensively working on usefulness of imidazolium based ionic liquids with metal nano oxides, graphene, grpahene oxides, etc. in DSSCs using the theoretical modelling. We are also working on hydrogen evolution reaction through ionic liquids at molecular level.
Hybrid perovskite materials for solar and heat energy harvesting
Halide based hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite materials are one of the most attractive field of research for potential application in solar energy conversion. In near future, may be hybrid perovskite materials will take place as a light absorbing materials in solar cells. Instead of excellent power conversion efficiency, hybrid perovskite materials exhibits two potential drawbacks, stability and toxicity of lead element. Using density functional theory we are working on the development of high efficient and durable two-dimensional hybrid perovskites.
