Research Projects

This project aims to develop next-generation hydrogen and multi-gas sensors based on advanced nanomaterial architectures to address critical safety and monitoring challenges in India's emerging hydrogen economy. Current sensor technologies face significant limitations in selectivity, response time, humidity interference, and stability—barriers that must be overcome to enable safe implementation of hydrogen infrastructure under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Our innovative approach integrates three complementary nanomaterial systems to create sensors with unprecedented performance. First, core-shell Pd@SnO₂ nanostructures leverage palladium's catalytic hydrogen dissociation properties while the SnO₂ shell provides selective filtration and thermal stability, directly addressing selectivity challenges. Second, hierarchical Co₃O₄ hollow nanofibers with engineered porosity gradients enable ultra-fast gas diffusion pathways, reducing response times to sub-second levels without requiring elevated operating temperatures. Third, Nafion-ZnO composite interfaces tackle humidity interference through selective ion-electron coupling mechanisms, ensuring reliable operation across India's diverse environmental conditions. The integration of these materials into a modular sensing platform will enable multi-dimensional "fingerprinting" of gas mixtures—generating unique electrical response patterns that accurately discriminate between hydrogen and potential interferents in complex industrial environments. This represents a paradigm shift from conventional single-parameter detection toward intelligent multi-gas discrimination. Beyond scientific advancement, this project will contribute to India's technological self-reliance by developing indigenous sensing solutions optimized for local requirements. The research will yield scalable fabrication protocols, at least one patent application, and proof-of-concept prototypes ready for industrial validation. By addressing fundamental challenges in hydrogen safety monitoring, this work directly supports clean energy adoption while creating opportunities for skilled workforce development in advanced materials and sensor technologies.