Research Projects

The proposal explores the physicochemical and photophysical properties of ligand-capped nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in coacervates using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. It aims to understand the unique optoelectronic properties of these coacervates, which can be used for sensing and environmental remediation. The coacervates exhibit unique phase behavior due to multivalent electrostatic interactions between NPs and polyelectrolytes. The binary mixture of NPs and polyelectrolytes exhibits continuous and unique phase behavior, as revealed in a turbidity assay. These optically active coacervates also exhibit excellent photostability and two-photon emission. The proposal aims to understand and explore the physicochemical and photophysical properties of these complex coacervates using fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopic techniques. The complex coacervates can sequester various analytes within their less polar aqueous membrane-less architecture, which could be used for sensing and environmental remediation.