Foreign Patents

1. Synthesis of ion imprinted polymer particles, R. Kala, J. Mary Gladis and T. Prasada Rao, US, Patent 20050215762 A1 dt. 29.09.2005; GB 2424893 dt. 25.07.2007; Jap. Patent No. 4414396 dt. 27.11.2009;

Indian Patents

1. Synthesis of solid phase extractant materials by polymer imprinting suitable for uptake of uranyl ions and process thereof, J. Mary Gladis and T. Prasada Rao, IPA 516, DEL (2003) dt. 28.03.2003.
2. Synthesis of ion imprinted polymer particles for solid phase extractive preconcentration of erbium ions and a process thereof, R. Kala, J. Mary Gladis and T. Prasada Rao, IPA 380 DEL (2004) dt. 27.02.2004.
3. Novel imprinted polymer materials for selective detoxification of endosulphan contaminated natural waters and process for preparation thereof, K. Prasad, J. Mary Gladis, T. Prasada Rao Through PCT in countries of India, China, Pakistan & Myanmar, IPA.0314 DEL (2010) dt. 15.02.2010
4. Hypergolic earth storable liquid bi-propellant composition with reduced toxicity, S. Reshmi, M. Sreejith, B. Sivakumar, J. Mary Gladis, K.N. Ninan, Indian Patent No. Indian Patent No. 319030 dated 2019

Electrochemical energy storage is a rapidly blooming domain raising a continuous flow of innovative ideas. The requisite for high energy and high power electrochemical systems with long service life is crucial in order to meet the rapid development of portable electronic devices, electric vehicles and smart grid electrification. We explore multifarious functional materials for various electrochemical energy storage systems including batteries and supercapacitors.

We use various electrochemical techniques to investigate corrosion behaviour of materials and its surface modification and coatings

1. Lithium Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur battery (LSB) is one among the attractive candidates of the next generation energy storage systems due to its preferable theoretical specific capacity and energy density. We fix on the design and development of functional nanomaterials for various components of lithium sulfur batteries including cathode, separator and electrolyte.

• Design of cathode architecture

Development of novel cathode materials with better conductivity and polysulfide trapping ability is pivotal in improving the performance of LSBs. We focus on various host materials for sulfur including carbon based materials like porous carbon derived from biomass biomaterials, heteroatom/metal oxide doped porous carbon, conducting polymers, metal based compounds and hybrid nanomaterials. Novel multifunctional polymer binders and diverse additive materials are also being aimed in order to accelerate the battery performance.

• Separator modifications

Introduction of novel cell design can be brought about by the modification of separators. In LSBs, separator has to permit the passage of lithium ions simultaneously obstructing the movement of polysulfides. We work on controllably altering the commercial separators using functionalised barrier coatings including porous carbons, polymer electrolytes, lithiated polymers, inorganic functional materials and their composites.

• Novel electrolytes

Developing novel electrolytes and fabrication of batteries with low electrolyte to sulfur ratio is of outmost importance for realizing commercial lithium sulfur batteries. To date, the electrolytes employed include liquid electrolytes, solid-state electrolytes, ionic electrolytes and gel polymer electrolytes. Our group concentrates on developing safe, solid state, gel polymer electrolytes which can operate with enhanced charge discharge characteristics and prolong the life of the battery.

2. Electrochemical capacitors

Electrochemical capacitors, better known as supercapacitors or ultracapacitors can provide high power and quick charging with exceptionally long cycle life. Supercapacitors are differentiated as electrical double layer capacitors (EDLC) and pseudocapacitors based on the charge storage mechanism.

• Electrical double layer capacitors (EDLC)

Our group specifically design carbon based materials for EDLC which stores charge by non faradaic process and can deliver magnificent performance. Various high surface area carbon materials with wide pore structures, heteroatom doped carbon materials, biomass derived green and safe carbon materials are given emphasis.

• Lithium ion Capacitors

Lithium ion capacitors is an overwhelming energy storage technology employing a battery type anode and a capacitor type cathode. Our group pay attention in developing anode materials for asymmetric lithium ion capacitors which can deliver improved Faradaic reaction kinetics and ultrahigh energy density. We synthesise and investigate different lithium metal vanadates based anode in aqueous electrolytes. Fabrication of asymmetric lithium ion capacitors using the above mentioned anode and carbon based cathode in non-aqueous electrolyte is further being studied. Research on various other inorganic functional materials as anode for lithium ion capacitors with extraordinary performance is also given focus.

3. Corrosion and Material Protection

Corrosion & material protection is recognized globally as a vital space to investigate and provide way out for the problems experienced by the material world. We investigate the corrosion behaviour of metallic materials in various environments. Also, we are interested in the fundamentals of electrochemical process, surface modification and coatings.

Research Projects

• Super ionic conductor as electrolyte for all solid state Lithium-Sulfur batteries
• N-doped mesoporous Carbon-Sulphur composite based cathode materials for advanced Lithium-Sulfur batteries
• Graphene nano platelets incorporated Zinc rich epoxy coating for corrosion protection of steel hardware
• Nano structured high performance anode materials for high power, high safety and fast charging Li-ion batteries
• Development of sustainable and bio-derived high surface area silica gel for industrial applications