Indian Institute of Technology Indore

About: Indian Institute of Technology Indore is a education organization based out in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Fading & Support vector machine. The organization has 1606 authors who have published 4803 publications receiving 66500 citations.

Morphologically tailored CuO photocathode using aqueous solution technique for enhanced visible light driven water splitting

Abstract: Cupric oxide (CuO) nanostructures are grown on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate using aqueous solution approach. The concentration of precursor’s solution has significant impact on morphology of CuO nanostructure. By varying concentration of precursor, the growth of two different morphologies (oriented nanosheets and nanoleaves) is achieved. X-ray diffraction pattern and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals formation of pure CuO crystalline phase. Mott-Schottky characteristic confirms the p-type semiconducting nature. Ultrathin structures of nanoleaves lead to higher light trapping and light absorption in visible-NIR region. The nanoleaves film has lower bandgap in comparison with nanosheets film. Photoelectrochemical measurements result in 1.5 mA/cm2 photocurrent for nanoleaves electrode and 1.1 mA/cm2 for nanosheets electrode at a potential of 0 V v/s RHE. The photocurrent conversion efficiency is 1.8% and 1.4% in nanoleaves and nanosheets electrodes, respectively. Electrochemical impedance analyses endorse more efficient collection and separation of charge carriers in nanoleaves film.

Fluorescent Biocompatible Platinum-Porphyrin–Doped Polymeric Hybrid Particles for Oxygen and Glucose Biosensing

Abstract: Near infrared (NIR) fluorophores like Pt-porphyrin along with analyte specific enzymes require co-encapsulation in biocompatible and biodegradable carriers in order to be transformed into implantable biosensors for efficient and continuous monitoring of analytes in patients. The main objective of this research is to develop natural, biodegradable, biocompatible and a novel co-encapsulated system of Pt-porphyrin encapsulated polymeric nanoparticle and nano-micro hybrid carriers. A sequential emulsification-solvent evaporation and an air driven atomization technique was used for developing above matrices and testing them for fluorescence based oxygen and glucose biosensing. The results indicate Pt-porphyrin can be efficiently encapsulated in Poly-lactic acid (PLA) nanoparticles and PLA-alginate nano-micro particles with sizes ~450 nm and 10 µm, respectively. Biosensing studies have showed a linear fluorescent response in oxygen concentrations ranging from of 0–6 mM (R2 = 0.992). The Oxygen sensitivity was transformed into a linear response of glucose catalytic reaction in the range of 0–10 mM (R2 = 0.968) with a response time of 4 minutes and a stability over 15 days. We believe that the investigated NIR fluorophores like Pt-Porphyrin based nano/nano-micro hybrid carrier systems are novel means of developing biocompatible biodegradable carriers for developing implantable glucose biosensors which can efficiently manage glucose levels in diabetes.

Full color emitting fluorescent carbon material as reversible pH sensor with multicolor live cell imaging.

Abstract: Carbon-based nano materials are developed as a cytocompatible alternative to semiconducting quantum dots for bioimaging and fluorescence-based sensing. The green alternatives for the synthesis of carbon materials are imminent. The present study demonstrates microwave based one step quick synthesis of fluorescent carbon material (FCM) having three variants: (i) un-doped fluorescent carbon material (UFCM) (ii) nitrogen doped FCM (N@FCM), and (iii) nitrogen & phosphorus co-doped FCM (N-P@FCM) using sugarcane extract as a carbon source. The N doping was performed using ethylenediamine and phosphoric acid was used for P doping. The heteroatom doped FCM were synthesized due to insolubility of UFCM in water. Unlike, UFCM, the N@FCM and N-P@FCM were found to be highly soluble in water. The N-P@FCM shows highest quantum yield among the three. The N-P@FCM was explored for alkaline pH sensing and it shows a quenching of fluorescence in the pH range 09-14. The sensing behaviour shows reversibility and high selectivity. Further, the sensor was also investigated for their biocompatibility and hence employed as a promising multicolour probe for cancer cell imaging. The generality in cell imaging was investigated by flow cytometry. The hetero-atom doped green carbon-dots may open new avenues for sensing and selective cellular targeting.