POLYMER GELS & AEROGELS
Related Publications
ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces,17(6), 9818-9829 (2025)
ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces,15(42), 49567-49582 (2023)
J. Mater. Chem. A, 12, 911-922 (2024)
Macromolecules, 54 (22), 10605-10615 (2021)
J. Mater. Chem. C, 6 (2), 360-368 (2018)
Biomacromolecules, 25(7), 4581-4590 (2024)
ACS Appl. Polym. Mater., 6(16), 9995-10005 (2024)
ACS Polymers Au, 4, 128-139 (2024)
ACS Appl. Polym. Mater., 6(11), 6864-6874 (2024)
Polymer Chemistry, 13, 838-849 (2022)
ACS Appl. Polym. Mater., 4, 7, 5113–5124 (2022)
Polymer, 241, 124530 (2022)
Soft Matter, 19, 6671-6682 (2023)
ACS Appl. Polym. Mater., 5, 2, 1556–1564 (2023)
Eur. Polym. J., 203, 112676 (2024)
Polymer, 295, 126784 (2024)
SPE Polymers, 4, 1-13 (2022)
Macromol. Symp., 413, 2300112 (2024)
Polymer gels are typically formed through a three-dimensional network based on physical aggregation such as polymer crystallization, complex formation, phase separation or multiple noncovalent interactions or by chemical crosslinking through covalent bonds. Polymer aerogels are ultralight materials with a porous, low-density network structure obtained by replacing the liquid in a gel with air, typically through freeze-drying or supercritical drying. Our group is interested in thermoreversible polymer gels which are formed through polymer crystallization. We are mainly focusing on the fabrication of isotropic and anisotropic polymer aerogels by suitably controlling the freezing process and freeze drying process.
Our primary interests in this area are:
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Understanding the gelation behavior of semicrystalline polymers and their blends and nanocomposites
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Fabrication of semicrystalline polymers and their hybrids based-aerogels with controlled microstructures and cellular geometries
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Obtaining the preferred orientation of nanofillers and polymer chains by suitably controlling the freezing process i.e., by a directional freezing approach.
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Preparation of polymer aerogels with a three-level hierarchical porosity (identical microporosity (<2 nm) inside the crystalline cavities along with disordered mesopores (2-50 nm) and macropores (>50 nm))
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Exploring the applications of developed aerogels for atmosphere water harvesting, energy harvesting using both fluorinated and non-fluorinated polymers and biopolymers (piezoelectric nanogenerators and triboelectric nanogenerators), thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, oil-water separation and EMI shielding.
SELF-ASSEMBLY OF BLOCK COPOLYMERS
Related Publications
Macromolecules, 58 (5), 2534-2545 (2025)
Macromolecules, 52 (7), 2889-2899 (2019)
Macromolecules, 48 (15), 5367-5377 (2015)
ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 7, 12559-12569 (2015)
Polymer Chemistry, 10 (23), 3154-3162 (2019)
Soft Matter, 16 (31), 7312-7322 (2020)
Polymer, 105, 422-430 (2016)
Mater. Today Commun., 24, 101147 (2020)
Bull. Mater. Sci., 43 (1), 1-9 (2020)
Block copolymers consist of two or more chemically distinct polymer blocks covalently bonded together. When these blocks are immiscible, they undergo phase separation on a nanometer scale, forming periodic nanostructures. This phenomenon arises due to a balance between the thermodynamic drive for phase separation and the constraints of covalent connectivity. Our research focuses on the formation of hierarchical nanostructures with the aim of opening up new areas of applications and clarifying the relevant science in the field. For many practical applications of these nanostructures, it is necessary to have knowledge on the conditions that lead to the formation of a certain structure in the nanometer range.
We are interested in
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Block copolymer based nanoscopic structures (both in bulk and in thin films) formed by self-assembly
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Tuning the nanostructure morphologies of semicrystalline block copolymers by controlling the interplay between crystallization and microphase separation
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Understanding the factors that control the orientation of block copolymer microdomains and the mechanism of orientational changes of microdomains formed in block copolymer thin films
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Multi-component hierarchical self-assembly of donor and acceptor molecules within the block copolymer microdomains in the solid state through the non-covalent interactions
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Integration of polymerizable small molecules within the block copolymer templates for the generation of supramolecular photopolymerizable materials
SUSTAINABLE FILLERS & NANOCOMPOSITES
Related Publications
ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng., 8 (4), 1868-1878 (2020)
Chem. Commun., 60, 10954-10957 (2024)
ACS Macro Letters, 11 (11), 1272-1277 (2022)
ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces,, 7 (34), 19474-19483 (2015)
ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 7 (23), 12399-12410 (2015)
ACS Appl. Nano Mater., 1 (1), 111-121 (2018)
J. Phys. Chem. B, 123 (40), 8599-8609 (2019)
J. Phys. Chem. B, 122 (24), 6442-6451 (2018)
ACS omega, 2 (1), 20-31 (2017)
ACS Omega, 1, 1220-1228 (2016)
ACS Appl. Polym. Mater., 4, 7, 5113–5124 (2022)
Biomacromolecules, 25(7), 4581-4590 (2024)
Langmuir, 35 (13), 4672-4681 (2019)
Applied Clay Science, 211, 106199 (2021)
Polym. Int., 65 (3), 299-307 (2016)
J. Macromol. Sci. A, 59(4), 257-270 (2022)
Colloids Surf. A: Physicochem. Eng. Asp., 634, 128017 (2022)
Chemistry Select, 7 (34), e202201922 (2022)
Sustainable fillers and nanocomposites represent a critical area in polymer science, blending advanced materials technology with sustainability goals. These materials combine polymer matrices with eco-friendly fillers or nanoscale reinforcements, offering enhanced mechanical, thermal, or functional properties while minimizing environmental impact. Our group mainly focuses on nanofillers like synthetic clays, i.e., layered double hydroxides (LDH), boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs), MXenes, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), zirconium phosphate, etc. We cover the complete range of synthesis-structure-property towards the development of multifunctional polymer nanocomposites.
Our major research themes in this area are as follows
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Development of multifunctional fillers for semicrystalline polymers
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Development of sustainable flame retardant fillers for biodegradable polymers
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To investigate the influence of delaminated 2D materials and their lateral sizes on crystallization kinetics, thermal, mechanical, optical and flame retardant properties of semicrystalline polymers
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Preparation of two-dimensional quantum dots (QDs) and fluorescent polymer films with precisely controlled QDs aggregation
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Tuning the dielectric, EMI shielding and piezoelectric properties of polymers (in collaboration with Dr. K.P. Surendran and Dr. Achu Chandran)
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Anticorrosive polymer composite coatings for aluminum alloys (in collaboration with Dr. T.P.D. Rajan)
BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS
Related Publications
Chem. Commun., 60, 10954-10957 (2024)
ACS Maco Letters, 11, 1272-1277 (2022)
Macromolecules, 50, 5261-5270 (2017)
Macromolecules, 49, 224-233 (2016)
Soft Matter, 18, 2722-2725 (2022)
Polymer Chemistry, 13, 838-849 (2022)
Soft Matter, 14, 1492-1498 (2018)
Soft Matter, 19, 6671-6682 (2023)
CrystEngComm, 23, 2122-2132 (2021)
Soft Matter, 14, 1492-1498 (2018)
Eur. Polym. J., 203, 112676 (2024)
Polymer, 241, 124530 (2022)
Polymer, 240, 12449 (2022)
Biobased and biodegradable thermoplastics have become competitive commodity materials to petroleum-based thermoplastics over the past decade. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) are two well-known biodegradable polymers with complementary properties. PLLA derived from renewable resources, is widely used for its biocompatibility, transparency, and strength. However, its relatively slow degradation rate and brittleness can be limiting in some applications. PHB produced by microorganisms, is highly biodegradable and has good oxygen barrier properties. However, it is more brittle and less processable compared to PLLA.
Our interests in this area are:
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Understanding the structure-formation mechanism in biodegradable polymers and their impact on material properties
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The fundamental understanding of stereocomplex formation and the molecular recognition in helical polymers
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Development of biodegradable nanocomposites and biopolymer aerogels for multifunctional applications
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Transparent packaging films by retaining the polymer crystallinity
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Development of bio-based polymers with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and aggregation caused quenching (ACQ) characteristics with prospected applications in bio-imaging and medical/pharmaceutical fields
POLYMER CRYSTAL ENGINEERING
Related Publications
Macromolecules, 49, 224-233 (2016)
Soft Matter, 14, 1492-1498 (2018)
Soft Matter, 18, 2722-2725 (2022)
Polymer, 240, 124495 (2022)
Polymer, 56, 581-589 (2015)
Polymer, 54 (24), 6617-6627 (2013)
Macromol. Symp., 359 (1), 104-110 (2016)
SPE Polymers, 4, 1-13 (2022)
Macromol. Symp., 413, 2300112 (2024)
Polymers offer a great potential to meet the requirements from the market better than other materials since their physical and chemical properties can be easily tailored by their structures at different length scales. The chemical structure at the molecular scale and the morphology at multiple length scales (see Figure) of the polymers determine the mechanical and physical properties of the polymers.
Our group mainly focuses on the following aspects.
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Control of structure and morphology of semicrystalline polymers, and thereby the physical and mechanical properties, by understanding the crystallization behavior of polymers under different environments and conditions
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Understanding the intimate correlation between the chain conformation, crystal structure and the morphological change of stacked lamellae during the phase transition in various semicrystalline polymers
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Polymer co-crystals and polymorphism
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Mesophase-mediated crystallization of polymers
NATURAL FIBRES & COMPOSITES
Among various natural fibres produced in India, coconut fibre, commonly known as coir, has the shortest renewable time and stands next to jute fibre in production. India accounts for more than two-thirds of the world’s production of coir and coir products. Kerala is the home of the Indian coir industry, particularly white fibre, accounting for 61 % of coconut production and over 85 % of coir products. Coir has been used for creating environment-friendly products such as mattresses and geotextiles, construction of roads, horticulture, buildings, etc. Recent advances in the field of composite technology paved the development of new coir-based products for the commercial exploitation and diversification of their applications. Over the past several years, CSIR-NIIST has been working in the area of coir fibre composites that acquired unique knowledge and expertise and developed product targeted processes.
CSIR-NIIST focuses on the development of process know-how in the following areas.
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Process development for surface modification of coir fibers using plasma treatment
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Process development for enhancing the longevity of coir geotextiles (coir bhoovastra)
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Biodegradable mulching mats using bio-based polymer and coir composites
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Development of coir based cutleries and binderless boards
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Production of polymer/coir composites for furniture, acoustic and electrical insulation applications
Two-Dimensional Small-Angle /Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS)
Two-dimensional small-angle/wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) with variable temperature attachment is installed at CSIR-NIIST in 2013. It covers an angular range corresponding to 0.3 to 50 nm lattice dimension, with an angular resolution of 0.01° (It can be used for both SAXS/WAXS). A large area image plate detector allows us to increase the amount of scattered X-rays to obtain the complete Debye diffraction rings. It is a good addition for a laboratory-like CSIR-NIIST, where the research activities are mainly focused on the areas of nanomaterials, liquid crystalline materials, polymers, biological materials and supramolecular materials.
This facility is open for the industry partnership to understand the structure-property relations of their materials in two complementary length scales. Interested may visit the CSIR-NIIST site for more details.