Research Projects

Zwitterionic polymer-based materials are smart and responsive, exhibiting reversible changes in volume and shape in response to external stimuli like pH, temperature, light, electric field, magnetic field, ionic strength, and molecules. These properties make them attractive for applications like water purification and drug delivery. This work proposes the design and development of zwitterionic polymeric materials for salt removal, controlled release of gaseous molecules, and micellar drug delivery. Conventional adsorbent materials for salt removal often suffer from complicated operating procedures, poor adsorption performance, and short usage cycles. The group has been working on developing regenerative, highly porous, thermally stable polyzwitterionic gels for salt removal from brackish/sea water. The use of polyzwitterions for the fixation and release of a wide range of anions is also proposed. For successful clinical applications of NO and H?S, a gaseous-delivery platform is essential, which can hold molecules for long periods during storage and release optimal amounts in a temporal and spatial-controlled manner. Zwitterionic polymers can help control the rate and amount of these gaseous molecules due to their stimuli-responsive behavior. A third component of the proposed work includes the preparation of polyzwitterion-based amphiphilic copolymers for pH-triggered targeted drug delivery using these micellar systems.