Nanotechnology deals with structures between roughly 1 and 100 nanometres, where surface effects and quantum effects change how a material behaves.
Research areas
- Synthesis of nanoparticles and nanostructures by sol-gel, hydrothermal and co-precipitation routes.
- Carbon nanomaterials such as graphene, graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes.
- Thin films and nanocoatings for corrosion, wear and self-cleaning surfaces.
- Nanomaterials for gas and chemical sensors, supercapacitors and battery electrodes.
- Photocatalytic and membrane materials for water purification.
Characterisation
- UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy in-house.
- XRD, SEM, TEM and AFM through partner facilities.
- Particle-size and surface-area analysis.
Student work
- Synthesise a metal-oxide nanopowder and estimate crystallite size from XRD using the Scherrer equation.
- Test a nanomaterial-based sensor and report its sensitivity and response time.
Safety
Nanopowders are handled in fume hoods with appropriate PPE and waste procedures, because their health effects are still under study.