In our group, we synthesize nanostructured electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage, electrocatalysis, and electrochemical sensing applications.  Currently, the group focuses on the growth of 2D layered materials (graphene, MoS2, MXenes, and heterostructures), transition metal oxides, and organic/inorganic hybrid composites.

Supercapacitors

From portable electronics and transportation systems to backup systems that complement renewable sources such as solar and wind, the demand for energy storage is expected to grow substantially well into the foreseeable future. Supercapacitors can act as a promising energy- storage alternative for rapidly growing electronic industry. In this project we design and develop nanostructured electrode materials for supercapacitor applications. We are specifically interested in the development of inorganic layered materials including oxides, chalcogenides, and carbides and organic/inorganic hybrid composites to improve supercapacitor performance.

Electrochemical Sensors

Sensitive and selective enzyme based biosensors are used for the detection and quantification of various components present in the biological systems. Highly sensitive enzyme-based biosensors can be fabricated by the incorporation of enzymes with a suitable electrochemical transducer. Since many of the attributes of materials used for energy storage devices such as large surface area, fast ion and electronic transport, some of the materials developed for energy storage actually work well as sensor materials. In this project, potentiostatic, conductivity-based, and capacitance-based sensing devices are being investigated.

Electrocatalytic Water Splitting

Electrocatalytic water splitting to generate hydrogen and oxygen has gained immense attention as it can meet the constantly increasing energy demands of humanity as well as it is an eco-friendly energy generation mechanism. Ideally, the electrolysis of water involving two half-cell reactions – hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) requires a theoretical input energy of ∆E ° = 1.23 V vs normal hydrogen electrode (NHE). But the sluggish kinetics of the two-electron HER mechanism and the four-electron OER mechanism together requires an additional amount of energy to initiate the water splitting process. Recently, research is progressing towards designing and synthesizing efficient electrocatalyst materials which can reduce the overpotential (difference between theoretical and required potential) required for water electrolysis. Our group is currently focussing on the development of 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting.

Functional nanomaterials

Novel functional nanomaterials are the basis of newly emerging nanotechnologies for various device applications. In our group we are indulged in the synthesis of various nanomaterials and their composites for electrochemical applications

1. Nanocomposites for electrochemical energy storage applications (GAP 136739)
   Principal Investigator in DST-Ramanujan project.
   Duration: 5 Years (2016-2021)
   Sponsoring Agency: SERB, DST, India
2. Design and processing of nanostructured hybrid composite materials for electrochemical energy storage(GAP-137839)
   Co-investigator in DST-MES project coordinated by Dr. K.N. Narayanan Unni, CSIR-NIIST, Trivandrum.
   Duration: 3 years (2017-2020)Sponsoring Agency: DST, India