Nanomaterials for Emerging Solid-state Technology (NEST) group led by Dr Asha A S works towards the study of nanomaterials for energy storage/generation and sensing application. Two dimensional (2D) materials, metal oxide nanostructures and biocompatible luminescent nanoparticles are the materials primarily investigated by the group. Specific research interests include transition metal dichalcogenides and carbides for energy storage and sensing applications, efficient photo anodes of ZnO nanostructures, hierarchical ZnO nanostructures and ZnO/ZTO heterostructures for third generation solar cells and rare earth doped apatite nanoparticles and carbon quantum dots for bioimaging applications. The structure, morphological and optical properties of the developed nanostructures are characterized to have a deeper understanding of the material properties, so that they can be optimised for various applications. Electrochemical and impedance spectroscopy studies are employed to learn about the charge transfer mechanism of the samples that are to be utilised in solar cells, supercapacitors, H2 generators and sensors. MoS2 thin films are prepared by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and optimised for gas sensing applications. Hydroxy apatite nanoparticles synthesised from various precursors, doped with rare earth elements exhibit luminescence, the biocompatibility of which are analysed for in vitro bioimaging studies.
Members: Dr. Sabeena M, Dr. Junaid Bushiri, Dr. Aldrin Antony,Dr. Asha A. S., Dr. Senoy Thomas