Dr. Mujeeb Khan

Nanomaterials, such as, different metallic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes and graphene etc., have contributed immensely to the development of nanotechnology, due to their superior size and shape dependent physicochemical properties which are completely different from their bulk counterparts. Due to high surface to volume ratio, nanomaterials have been extensively exploited in various fields, including heterogeneous catalysis, and as nanocatalysts for several industrially important organic transformations. The large-scale synthesis of different nanomaterials is usually carried out by various physical and chemical methods, which are either expensive or make use of hazardous chemicals, causing a serious threat to the environment. Therefore, green synthesis of nanomaterials, including metallic NPs and graphene, using different natural materials, such as microorganisms, marine organisms and plant extracts has drew enormous attention of the scientific community. These methods are sustainable, low cost, and are more environmentally friendly. Among these approaches plant extracts have attracted significant attention, due to straightforward and simple sampling, easy culturing, and cost effectiveness, which facilitate the large scale biosynthesis of nanomaterials. 

Our group is particularly interested in the green synthesis and in-depth structural and physical characterization as well as the design and potential applications of new nanomaterials, especially metallic nanoparticles and graphene with a variety of chemical, physical, or electronic properties. Special focus of the studies is to gain the deeper understanding of synthesis/structure relationships and structure/function relationships. Another goal of the research is to prepare custom made nanomaterials, focusing on the enhancement of their catalytic properties and applied these materials for various catalytic organic transformations.