Nanomaterials Laboratory, Department of Physics, IIT Bombay

21/03/2026

We are very excited to share that our recent research work entitled “Electrical transduction of transient microbial activity in milk using partially oxidized graphene nanomaterial–based microsensors” has been published in the journal Sensors and Actuators: A. Physical 🥳

In this work, we have developed an acid-free graphene-based electrochemical microsensor, which enables simple and sensitive detection of early milk degradation through changes in charge transport properties. A sharp rise in impedance at later stages—most dynamic around 9 h—reflects rapid microbial growth, in agreement with high-resolution optical microscopic observations. Differential pulse voltammetry along with cyclic voltammetry show a smaller but clear response, capturing early-stage changes in interfacial charge transfer. With pH remaining constant, these variations arise purely from microbe-induced transport and interface modifications. Standard plate count analysis supports this behavior, confirming that the sensor effectively tracks total microbial dynamics at an early stage.

Congratulations to the authors J.A.Sarkar, and Prof. M. Aslam.

The full article can be found here:

We developed a simple, low-cost electrochemical microsensor based on partially oxidized graphene (POG) nanomaterial, synthesized through an acid-free …

18/02/2026

We are happy to share that our recent review article work entitled “Halide Double Perovskites: Insights into Structure, Defects, and Luminescence” has been published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.

This article aims to provide a complementary and broader perspective by systematically discussing the structural, optical, and electronic properties of HDPs, with particular emphasis on challenges related to material synthesis, doping strategies, and thin-film processing. In contrast to recent existing
reviews, a key aspect of this work is the detailed discussion of defects, including their origin, degradation mechanisms, and impact on stability and photophysical properties, supported by both experimental and theoretical studies. This work also summarizes recent efforts toward defect control and passivation aimed at improving long-term
performance.

Congratulations to the authors Dr. Bhawna, Prof.Aftab Alam, and Prof. Mohammed Aslam.

The full article can be found here:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.5c20712

Download a citation file in RIS format that can be imported by all major citation management software, including BibTex, EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and Reference Manager.

23/10/2025

We are happy to share that our recent research work entitled “Extraction of capacitive and non-capacitive contributions of partially oxidized graphene for supercapacitor” has been published in ACS Applied Electronic Materials.

In this work, we present a simple, safe, and fast method to prepare binder-free thin films for supercapacitor using partially oxidized graphene (POG). The POG, synthesized in water within 2–3 hours, forms a thin, stable film on an FTO substrate without any binder. Dunn’s method was used to separate capacitive and diffusion-controlled charge storage, showing that POG offers higher capacitive contribution and faster ion transport than reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Overall, the POG film demonstrates excellent stability, high capacitance, and scalability for energy storage applications.

Congratulations to the authors Julfikar Ali Sarkar, Dr. Muhammed Junais Pulikkathumbayil, and Prof. Mohammed Aslam.

The full article can be found here:

03/09/2025

We are delighted to share that our recent research work entitled “Acid-less direct gram scale exfoliation of graphite to partially
oxidized graphene” has been published in Nature Scientific Reports.

In this work, we present a simple, acid-free method to produce partially oxidized graphene (POG) from graphite at gram scale within 2–3 hours at room temperature. The POG films show high conductivity, fewer defects, a high carbon-to-oxygen ratio, and large surface area. The process involves mild sonication and ion-assisted exfoliation, with KMnO₄ aiding slight oxidation. This eco-friendly material is promising for electrodes, carbon inks, and conductive pastes.

Congratulations to the authors J.A. Sarkar, Mohd Salman Siddiqui & Prof. M. Aslam
The full article can be found here:

All methods to synthesize graphene oxide on a large scale utilize a strongly acidic medium. Graphene oxide (GO) to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) conversion, i.e., obtaining widespread sp2–sp2 hybridized carbon allotropes is a laborious and tedious process. Herein, we report an innovative one-step m...

29/08/2025

We are excited to share that our recent research work entitled “Cs4CuSb2Cl12 Nanostructured Layered Films for Humidity and Temperature Sensing Applications” has been published in the journal ACS Applied Nano Materials.

In this work, we fabricated nanostructured layered thin films of Cs4CuSb2Cl12 and utilized as smart sensors for both humidity and temperature. They change color with heat and their conductivity shifts with humidity levels. The films respond quickly, stay stable for days, and can detect small temperature changes repeatedly. At higher temperatures, they undergo a reversible structural change (as can be seen in the temperature dependent Raman and XRD analyses) that also alters their band gap. These features make them useful for humidity, temperature, and color-based sensing in food and plant industries.

Congratulations to the authors J.A. Sarkar, Muhammed Junais Pulikkathumbayil, Veena V.P., and Prof. M. Aslam.
The full article can be found here:

We report the humidity and temperature sensing capabilities of Cs4CuSb2Cl12 (CCSC) vacancy-ordered double perovskite nanostructured layered films along with their reversible thermochromic behavior. CCSC-based two-probe devices demonstrate strong temperature current sensitivity and stable electrical....

26/08/2025

We are thrilled to share that our recent research work entitled “One-Step Copper-Vapor-Assisted CVD for Simultaneous Graphene and CNT Growth on Dielectrics” has been published in the ACS Journal Crystal Growth and Design.

In this work, we developed a one-step copper-v***r-assisted CVD method to grow graphene/CNT hybrids directly on dielectric surfaces like quartz and Si/SiO₂. The resulting hybrid shows good continuity, over 70% optical transparency, and high aspect ratio C**s (AR_max ~1100 ± 70) across large areas. This metal-catalyst-free process produces clean, flexible 1D/2D carbon hybrid nanostructures without copper residue. The straightforward growth method holds strong potential for applications in catalysts, sensors, photovoltaics, electronics, and energy storage systems.

Congratulations to the authors J.A. Sarkar, Muhammed Junais Pulikkathumbayil, Shripal Singh, and Prof. M. Aslam.
The full article can be found here:

A one-step, copper-v***r-assisted chemical v***r deposition (CVD) process is developed, which enables the simultaneous synthesis of heterodimensional (1D and 2D) carbon nanostructures, integrating multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWC**s) with bi-to-few-layer graphene (few nm thickness) directly on diel...

21/04/2024

We are looking to fill an Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship position, in hybrid halide perovskite area. Recent, sincere, and hard-working PhD graduates with an experience in nanomaterials/quantum dots and thin film fabrication can apply. An exposure towards transport measurement/device characterization is highly desirable.
Contact: [email protected], [email protected]

02/03/2024

Congratulations to all the authors!
Arijit Mitra Nanomaterials Laboratory, Department of Physics, IIT Bombay
Magnetic materials at the nanometer scale can demonstrate highly tunable properties as a result of their reduced dimensionality. While significant advancements have been made in the production of magnetic oxide nanoparticles over the past decades, maintaining the magnetic and electronic phase stabilities in the nanoscale regime continues to pose a critical challenge. Finite-size effects modify or even eliminate the strongly correlated magnetic and electronic properties through strain effects, altering density and intrinsic electronic correlations. In this review, we examine the influence of nanoparticle size, shape, and composition on magnetic and tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) properties, using magnetite (Fe3O4) as an example. The magnetic and TMR properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles are strongly related to their size, shape, and synthesis process. Remarkably, faceted nanoparticles exhibit bulk-like magnetic and TMR properties even at ultra-small size-scale. Moreover, it is crucial to comprehend that TMR can be tailored or enhanced through chemical and/or structural modifications, enabling the creation of 'artificially engineered' magnetic materials for innovative spintronic applications.
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2053-1591/ad2a84/meta

24/07/2023

Nanolab congratulates our group member Rekh Yadav for securing a 'Poster Award' at the 11th International Conference on Materials
for Advanced Technologies (ICMAT 2023) held at SUNTEC, Singapore.

The topic of her poster was "Phase Control in Vacuum-deposited Hybrid Halide Perovskite Films with Improved Spectral Stability". Here, she demonstrated a simplified single-source vacuum-based ev***ration approach to fabricate various organic-inorganic perovskite thin films which uses corresponding phase-formed halide perovskite nanoparticles as a source. Using this approach, phase-controlled single-halide MAPbX3 (MA= CH3NH3 and X=Cl, Br or I) as well as mixed-halide MAPbBr3-xClx (x=1, 1.5 and 2) perovskite films were consistently obtained. The absorption spectra of thin films show a sharp band edge with a significantly tuned direct band gap (from 3.1 eV to 1.6 eV), followed by narrow full width at half maxima (FWHM ̴ 0.1eV) of the emission peak. The single-halide perovskite thin films deposited by the present method are highly stable against degradation under ambient conditions for more than 30 days. Further, the emission studies show good photostability of various mixed-halide perovskite compositions (MAPbBr2Cl1, MAPbBr1.5Cl1.5, and MAPbBr1Cl2) against halide segregation under continuous exposure to 325 nm wavelength illumination of 100 mWcm-2 for more than 60 minutes. The simplified deposition method provides phase-controlled perovskite films with improved ambience stability. Such phase control and the diminished phase segregation in mixed-halide perovskites might help in advancing the application of various perovskite films for reliable optoelectronic devices.

14/05/2023

We are happy to share that our book chapter entitled “Advances in Synthesis and Defect Properties of Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals: Experimental and Theoretical Perspectives” has been accepted in Springer publication under the Book titled “Synthesis and Applications of Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites",
The chapter provides a complete understanding of various facile synthesis strategies for metal halide perovskite nanocrystals while discussing their advantages/limitations and facilitating an in-depth insight into the formation of native defects from experimental and theoretical perspectives.
Congratulations to the team Bhawna, Supriti Ghorui, Prof. Aftab Alam, and Prof M. Aslam.
Cheers!!!

Metal halide perovskites are gaining attention for their interesting optoelectronic properties which result in their promising use for commercial applications. The ease in the fabrication and processability of perovskite nanocrystals with high …

14/05/2023

We are excited to share that our recent work entitled “Highly Stable and Reusable 3D Graphene-Quinizarin Voltammetric pH Sensor” is published in the Journal of The Electrochemical Society.

This study illustrates a simple pH sensor with a broad working range (pH 1-13) employing a 3D porous graphene framework blended with quinizarin. The performance of the sensor is tested via the square wave voltammetry technique by applying different buffer solutions and real samples. The designed pH sensing probe demonstrates negligible hysteresis and long-term stability (six months and more). In comparison to the commercial pH meter, the fabricated sensor shows a relative inaccuracy of less than 5%. These low-cost and reusable pH-sensitive electrodes with linear Nernstian response are promising candidates for diverse pH-sensing applications.
Congratulations to the authors Mohd Salman Siddiqui and Prof. M. Aslam
The full article can be found here:

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