Organic Materials Laboratory
Research
Our's is a synthetic organic chemistry group with wide-ranging interest in design and synthesis of organic molecules (molecular engineering) for diverse applications, in the Department of Chemistry at National Institute of Technology Karnataka.
Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
In recent years, the development of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs, first reported by M. Gratzel in 1991) has opened up exciting new possibilities and paradigms for producing low cost solar photovoltaics, which are viable alternative to ‘classical’ photovoltaics. Organic dyes play an important role on overall efficiency and in recent time, use of metal-free organic sensitizers with good stability is gaining much interest. Various design strategies have been established and are employed successfully in the synthesis of novel sensitizers. Also, several attempts have been made to deduce structure-property-efficiency correlations from a vast number of dyes, which would help to design new and highly efficient sensitizers. In this context, our research focusses on design and development of new D-π-A type dyes for applications in DSSCs to obtain higher efficiency. Also, in order to extend their absorption range, co-sensitization technique is being used as a new strategy. Our research has also focused on development of new p-type organic dyes with NiO as photocathode as well as use of different redox couples in the new design.
Medicinal chemistry
Natural products exhibit wide biological activities, and therefore provide inspiration for the development of new medicinally active compounds. Our synthetic endeavors are directed toward the attainment of new classes of biologically active compounds, many of which are related to heterocyclic chemistry. Our research program revolves around the theme of synthesis and encompasses broadly based studies directed towards the design and development of new methods, reagents and strategies for the synthesis of bio-active molecules targeting infectious, inflammatory, convulsant diseases. We develop synthetic methodology allowing simple, short, efficient and versatile access to such heterocycles based upon the manipulation of bicyclic/tricyclic ring templates. Current efforts focus on the application of this methodology for the rapid preparation of interesting heterocyclic libraries for the identification of new antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory agents, anticonvulsants etc. Our joint research work with experts from neighboring Pharmaceutical Laboratories is progressing well.
Bio-Disiel
Biodiesel has the potential to play an important role in meeting renewable fuel targets, if it is produced in a sustainable way. At present, commercial homogeneous catalyzed production using liquid bases poses several problems including catalyst separation and fuel purification, thereby increasing the cost of the fuel. In this regard, design and development of a suitable heterogeneous catalyst for trans-esterification is an immediate necessity. In fact, solid materials capable of simultaneous FFA esterification and TAG trans-esterification under mild conditions present a major challenge for catalytic scientists. However, tuning the surface hydrophobicity can strongly influence oil trans-esterification and FFA esterification through the expulsion of water away from active catalyst centers. This limits undesired reverse hydrolysis processes with residual water present in oil. Subsequently, heterogeneous catalysts with tunable hydrophobicity, acid/base character, and good thermal stability, whether based upon polymeric or inorganic frameworks are promising new solutions to TAG trans-esterification and FFA esterification of high moisture content feed-stocks. In this context, our research focusses on synthesis of new materials by controlled polymerization to functionalize oxide surfaces with polymeric organic species to create hybrid organic-inorganic architectures with high active site loading ability.
Liquid Crystals
Liquid crystals constitute the fourth state of matter and generally comprise one- and two-dimensionally ordered fluids formed by molecules with anisometric shapes such as rod-like (calamitic) or disk-like (discotic). They represent the main potentiality for various technical applications such as displays, displays with a memory, spatial light modulators etc. Our research program focuses on the study of structure-property relationships in liquid crystal phases using a multidisciplinary approach that bridges the diverse fields of organic synthesis, physical organic chemistry and condensed matter physics. Our group synthesizes new liquid crystal materials, characterize their physical properties, and evaluate their potential as active components of optoelectronic and photonic devices (photo-alignment materials, light emitting diodes, field effect transistors, solar cells and chemical sensors). In this area, we work together with scientists of RRI and CSMR, Bangalore, India.
Conjugated Polymers
In recent times, conjugated polymers form the basis for a broad spectrum of new devices technologies. These attractive materials combine many attributes usually found in inorganic semiconductors. Interestingly, manipulation of their molecular architecture not only alters their observed electrical and optical properties but also their thermal and mechanical properties. The rational design of these materials is limited by the incomplete understanding of the relationship between molecular architecture and electronic, optical, thermal and mechanical properties. Our research focuses on experimental studies that elucidate design, synthesis, and characterization and key structure/property relationships of new (donor-acceptor type) conjugated polymers based on especially hetero-aromatics and that possess specifically designed properties. In fact, the ability to control such properties of conjugated polymeric systems is a fascinating issue in the design of new materials. This is interdisciplinary work involving close collaboration with colleagues in the Department of Physics of NITK and RRI, Bangalore.
Corrosion Inhibitors
The corrosion of steel is a huge problem in today's society, causing losses in excess of several billion dollars annually worldwide. It has been believed that organic compounds offer the best promise for the development of new low-toxicity corrosion inhibitors to replace the more toxic inorganic inhibitors. The use of organic molecules as corrosion inhibitors is presently studied by several groups around the world in the hope of providing better, cheaper protection that is also more environmentally friendly than the present corrosion inhibitors being widely used. In this context, we have focused our attention in design, synthesis, and characterization of new heterocyclic molecules (eco-friendly) and their corrosion inhibition studies on steel in different environment using the latest electrochemical techniques, with the intention of understanding their structure and corrosion inhibition relationship.