RESEARCH AREAS
The research works of my group include the syntheses, characterization and applications of various Nanomaterials, LASER Plasma, Ion irradiation effects on various novel materials and phase transitions. The different topics of current research worksare:
Nanomultiferroics
In this class of materials, we are synthesizing various systems such as R-CrO3, R-MnO3 and R-Fe2O4 where R could be Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu or Y. The samples are prepared mainly through sol-gel route and characterized for their structural, multiferroic, linear and nonlinear optical properties using XRD, TGA/DTA, SEM, HRTEM, FTIR spectroscopy, Dielectric spectroscopy, VSM, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, Photoluminescence spectroscopy and Z-scan technique. The thermal parameters such as heat capacity, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity are also investigated near the multiferroic transitions. The synthesis and multiferroic coupling of engineered composite nano/multiferroics are also a thrust area of the group.
Nanocomposites
Under this class of materials various metal, metal oxide, carbon structures (grapheme and CNT), magnetic particles and quantum dot filled polymer nanocomposite materials are prepared using various chemical routes. The interfacial effects and applications of the as prepared nanocomposites are also a thrust area for the group.
Nanomedicine
Under this area, we are mainly concentrating on the preparation and characterization of Polymer based scaffolds for biomedical applications. New hybrid polymer nanocomposites for dental applications are also a thrust of our group.
Nanosensors
The various nanomaterials synthesized in the laboratory are explored for different sensing applications which include nanoparticles incorporated membranes for bio- sensing and water purification applications.
Climate Change
Aerosol samples collected from urban and semi urban areas of Indian subcontinent are analyzed for chemical characteristics and effects on climatic conditions and atmospheric pollution. Single particle analysis of airborne samples from different altitudes of Indo Gangetic Planes and eastern metropolitan areas for source approximation and climate modeling, and cloud seeding are of current interest.
Computational Modeling and Simulation
Employing the first principle Density Functional Theory (DFT) to understand many novel hybrid nanostructures using the popular codes such as VASP and Gaussian and thereby predict specific properties towards certain applications.
Nanosemiconductors and Nanophosphors
In this class of materials, we concentrate on various types of quantum dots, metal and metal oxide nanomaterials. The materials are prepared through novel green synthesis routes and sol-gel method and characterized for their various properties. The potential uses of these materials are being explored in different fields which include water purification, sensing and lighting applications.
Nanoferroelectrics
Under this class, we are mainly concentrating on relaxor type of ferroelectrics such as Strontium Barium Niobate systems and the effect of rare earth ion doping on the linear and nonlinear optical properties. The samples are being characterized for various properties using sophisticated techniques. The phase transitions in this class of materials are also investigated in detail. Electroactive polymer nanocomposites of these materailsfor tailored applications also explored
Nanoferrites
Different nanostructured spinel ferrite systems have been prepared using sol-gel technique and their structural, magnetic, electrical, linear and nonlinear optical properties are investigated. Various systems such as NiFe2O4, CoFe2O4, ZnFe2O4 and mixed compositions of these ferrites have been synthesized and their various physical properties are investigated. The water soluble nanoferrites are also of potential interest to the group.
Ion beam irradiation effects & Phasetransitions
Heavy ion beam irradiation effects on the structural and multiferroic properties of sol- gel derived films of selected nanomultiferroic films are investigated under this category. The studies on the phase transitions of bulk and nanomaterials are also investigated using different techniques.
Water
Development of hybrid materials for water purification, Photocatalysts for degradation of pesticides and herbicides, Biosensors for detection of pathogens and antibiotics in water bodies are major reaserch.
Laser Plasma and Applications
Laser-matter interactions are investigated in detail particularly in the liquid media to probe the cavitation and bubblindg process, Laser Induced Berakdown Spectriscopy (LIBS) to correlate the plasma parameters with nanoparticle generation and hybrid structure fabrication and Plused Laser Deposition (PLD) for the preparartion of thin fims and correlate the structure with plasma parameters.
PATENTS GRANTED/FILED
- A polymer Nanocomposite, Process, And Application there-of , WIPO Publication number: WO2016142848 A1, Publication date: Sep 15, 2016, and Indian patent Application No: 638/DEL/2015 Mohammed Arif P, Sabu Thomas, Nandakumar Kalarikkal
- New Poly(trimethyleneterephthalate) based nanocomposite formulation for EMI Shielding; Patent Application No:201841003767Aswathi M.K, Ajitha A. R., Dr. Sabu Thomas, NandakumarKalarikkal, M. Padmanabhan, Lovely P. Mathew
- MWCNTs reinforced polymer blend nanocomposites of Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and Polypropylene for EMI shielding application; Patent Application No:201841003768 Ajitha A R, Aswathi M K, Sabu Thomas, Nandakumar Kalarikkal, Lovely Mathew P, Geethamma VG
- Invention of High Performance EMI Shielding Coating From Low Cost Carbon Black with XLPE;Patent Application No: 201841040343; ApparaoGudimalla, Jince Thomas, Dr. Sabu Thomas, Nandakumar Kalarrikkal, ZakiahAhmad
- Nano Cellulose based EMI shields preparation and thereof; Patent Application No: 201841040344; Deepu A Gopakumar, Avinash R Pai, Nandakumar Kalarikkal and SabuThomas
- Solid one dimensional conducting polymer fibers using electrospinning ; Dr. Sanal Sebastian Payyappilly, Jayesh Cherusseri, Prof. Sabu Thomas, Nandakumar Kalarikkal; Patent Application No:201841040346