My research areas are mainly directed addressing the materials for energy and environment related research issues. Specifically, attempts are made to contribute in following areas.

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• Wet chemical processing of nano-structured metal oxide:

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Cost effective soft solution processing route is developed to tailor oxide ceramic nano-structures in the form of nano-powders (0-d), nano-tubes and rods (1 d), thin films (2 d)), hierarchical structures, hollow spheres etc.

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• Towards the development of photo-anode for dye sensitized solar cell:

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​Dye sensitized solar cells are attractive candidate as cost effective renewable energy source. ZnO and TiO2 based photo-anodes are prepared for dye sensitized solar cell application. The influencing parameters for preparing the promising photo-anodes are identified. The electro-chemical phenomenon during the operation of solar cell is being studied. Discrete small solar cells are being prepared and the performances are being optimized. 

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• Towards the development of chemi-resistive gas sensors:

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Detection as well as monitoring of toxic and inflammable gases using low cost technique is very demanding for the safety of the environment. Accordingly, Indigenous facilities (dynamic as well as static) for the measurement of chemi-resistive type gas (toxic and inflammable) sensing characteristics of materials are developed in the laboratory. The gas sensing characteristics of metal oxide based sensors and the features of gas-solid interactions are being analysed. Attempts are also undertaken to develop prototype sensors.  

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• Towards the development of electrochemical sensor for the detection of toxic analytes:

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​The detection of toxic hazards in industrial effluent water is very important for the safety of the environment. Viewing this an non enzymatic electrochemical strip along with a readout meter is developed which can detect catechol (a phenolic compound) in water quantitatively. 

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• Towards the development of domestic defluoridation unit:

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​Fluoride content in water is found beyond the permissible limit (1.5 mg/L, WHO 1984) in many states of India. Intake of fluoride contaminated water may cause degeneration of bone and teeth, called fluorosis. Removal of fluoride from drinking water is utmost important for the improved quality of life in rural India. In this context domestic defluoridation unit is developed which can reduce the fluoride level below permissible limit from 6 ppm fluoride contaminated water. 

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