Main Group Catalysis: |
The development of highly efficient catalysts that can perform specific organic transformations is at the forefront of contemporary research for both industry and academia. Catalysts have traditionally been the purview of transition metals. Even though the choice of metals in transition-metal catalysts is limited, the nature of the ligands can be tuned for drawing structure-catalytic activity relationships. Our research group is actively involved in the designing of main-group ligands and their coordination to transition metals for their implications in homogeneous catalysis. Much of our current research interest is focused on main-group Lewis acid catalysts and redox catalysts that shuttles between two oxidation states, reminiscent of transition metal catalysts.
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Metallo-Main Group Hybrid Polymer:
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Conducting polymer is a mature field, where, the development has pivoted around the synthetic organic polymers with delocalized pi-electrons serving as the means of electronic conductivity on ensuing chemical/electrochemical doping. With the growing interest in functional materials, presence of metal centers either in the polymer main chain or in appended side chain has been recognized for their inherent specialty properties. We are engaged in developing synthetic methodologies for introducing main-group elements in the metallopolymer backbone, emphasizing orbital overlap between the metal and main-group element for efficient charge-transport pathways.
Rechargeable lithium ion batteries are nowadays a global requirement for portable electronics, electric vehicles, storage of renewable energy etc. Therefore, development of lithium ion batteries with high energy density and long cycle life is one of the fore frontal research targets. Graphite (theoretical capacity of 372 mA h g-1) has gained success as anode material in commercial lithium ion battery. On the other hand, the heavier congeners silicon and germanium are known to form alloys of lithium with very high theoretical capacities. Nonetheless, lithium ion batteries with silicon or germanium as anode material suffer from poor cyclability and declining capacity due to large volume expansion associated during lithium uptake and release process. Contemporary research is much involved in developing these anode materials at the nano-regime which can potentially mitigate the physical stress. Our group is actively engaged in preparing colloidal main-group nano-composites that is capable of buffering undesirable volume expansions during the battery cycles and significantly improve the performances. |