Research Projects

The proposal aims to manufacture site-specific porous hybrid nanomaterials for monitoring key gaseous signaling molecules, such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitric oxide (NO), and H2s gases. These gases are biologically important but can be toxic at low concentrations in the human body, leading to various biological disorders. Researchers are focused on regulating these molecules due to their short life span, which can convert them into oxidized toxic products. A sensitive sensor is needed to detect these gases within their lifetime before they become oxidized. Porous metal-organic frameworks and their hybrid composites have the potential to determine these levels sensitively. The proposal focuses on the preparation of non-cytotoxic porous hybrid nanomaterials, such as amino-functionalized MOFs and IL/MOF composites, for the detection of CO, NO, and H2s gases in aqueous media and living cells. The research data will be useful for monitoring CO, NO, and H2s gas levels in biological systems. The proposal includes synthesizing different carboxylate types of organic linkers, characterizing the synthesized MOFs using various analytical techniques, and conducting gas adsorption studies. It also involves synthesizing ionic liquid-MOF composites/nanomaterials by impregnating ionic liquids in the pores of synthesized MOFs. The proposed Ionic Liquid-MOF composites can detect and remove H2s gas in the aqueous phase and in living cells. The research data will be used for collaboration with Dr. Vikram saini, Associate Professor, Laboratory of Infection Biology and Translational Research, All India Institute of Medical sciences (AIIMs).