N. Ravishankar

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Our research is centred around the bottom-up paradigm for the synthesis and assembly of nanostructures. The first step is the synthesis of building blocks that will be subsequently assembled in to different mesostructures. In synthesis, the primary emphasis is on obtaining a detailed mechanistic understanding of morphology evolution for anisotropic nanostructures. We synthesize structures in the form of 1-D structures (wires and rods), 2-D form (platelets or nanoprisms) and 3-D structures with intricate shapes (primarily porous structures). In addition, we also synthesize hybrid structures based on metal nanostructures tethered to polymer beads, silica spheres or multiwalled carbon nanotubes for various applications. The second step involves assembling the nanostructures produced on a suitable substrate or template for various applications. We have developed a new solvothermal method to integrate synthesis and assembly in a single step process. In addition, we use the template approach to directly synthesize patterned structures on a template in a single step. We also explore the top-down approach to produce nanopatterns by controlled dewetting of continuous thin films on substrates. We owe much of our success in these areas to our capabilities for examining the structures formed at various stages, at different length scales using a combination of advanced microscopy techniques. We use the visible-light microscope, scanning electron microscopes, transmission electron microscopes and the atomic force microscope to interrogate various aspects of the structures formed.

• MR306: Electron Microscopy in materials characterization, January term
• UMT202: Structure of Materials, January term
• NE316: Advanced Electron Microscopy in materials characterization, August term