|
Research at
the Azam Group
Multicomponent hybrid materials for achieving
increased complexity and functionality in nanomaterials have attracted
enormous attention from researchers in recent years. These nanomaterials
are composed of discrete domains of different components and thus can
exhibit the properties of different components in the same assembly. Our
multidisciplinary research is focused on the development of new
multifunctional materials for energy, health and environment. We
synthesize surface tailored size-controlled inorganic nanoparticles and
polymeric materials as well as investigate their properties and
potential applications.
The research projects that we are currently
working on are:
- Synthesize functionalized quantum dots (QDs)
for the detection of biomolecules and ions
- Develop novel recyclable antibacterial
materials
- Develop reusable ion-imprinted polymers for
selective removal of toxic ions
- Synthesize cellulose nanocrystals
(CNC)-polymer composites to develop a filter for the removal of toxic
metal ions and dyes
- Develop paper supported functional polymers
for biomolecule extraction
Due to our collaboration with University of
Alberta we are able to characterize our samples employing some state of
the art surface spectroscopic and imaging techniques such as XPS, TEM
and AFM in addition to our traditional characterization techniques like
SEM, EDS, XRD, FT-IR, UV-Vis etc. that are available at BUET.
Funding and
Grants
We thankfully acknowledge the following
national and international organizations for funding our research.
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Individual Grant
for funding our universal testing machine (UTM), centrifuge
machine, vortex and water bath.
Special Allocation from the Ministry of Science and
Technology, Govt of the People's Republic of
Bangladesh,
Bangladesh for funding our research on graphene-
crosslinked biodegradable polymers.
 Committee for Advanced Studies & Research (CASR),
Bangladesh University of
Engineering & Technology for
funding several projects on
synthesizing and investigating
multifunctional nanomaterials.
Our Collaborators
Hongbo Zeng, Ph.D.
Hongbo Zeng is a professor at the department of
chemical & materials engineering, University of Alberta, Canada.
Julianne Gibbs, Ph.D.
Juli Gibbs is a professor at the
department of chemistry, University of Alberta, Canada.
Md. Tofazzal Islam, Ph.D.
Md. Tofazzal Islam is a professor at the
department of biotechnolgy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Mohammad A. Halim, Ph.D.
Mohammad A. Halim is Founder and CEO at Green
Research Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is currently working at Atomic
Energy & Alternative Energy Commission,
French National Centre for Scientific Research, Paris, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Yong Sik Ok, Ph.D.
Yong Sik Ok is a professor in the
division of environmental science & ecological engineering at Korea University,
Seul, Korea.
Highlights of Ongoing Research
Quantum Dots
(QDs) for Detection of Biomolecules and Ions
We synthesize functionalized silicon and
graphene QDs for the detection of melamine and mercury.
Fluorescence spectroscopy is employed to investigate the detection.
Silicon Quantum Dots (SiQDs): Research @ Azam Group
Magnetic
Graphene- and Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanomaterials for Photocatalysis
We fabricate various types of composite
nanomaterials based on graphene oxide and carbon nanotube (CNT). We then
employ silver, Ga2O3 or gold nanoparticles to introduce photocatalytic
properties into the scaffold.
TEM Images of Catalytic Nanomaterials:
Research @ Azam Group
Graphene
Crosslinked Biodegradable Polylactic Acid for Enhanced Mechanical
Strentgh
We fabricate 2D graphene crosslinker for the
biodegradable polymers like PLA and synthesize the crosslinked polymers
with enhanced mechanical strength.
AFM Images of PLA and Graphene Crosslinker:
Research @ Azam Group
Antibacterial
Materials
In one project we chemically modify paper
and deposit Ag-nanoparticles on it. These papers exhibit excellent
antibacterial properties due to the presence of Ag-nanoparticles
immobilized on the paper.
In another project we develope novel
recyclable magnetic N-halamine based antibacterial materials
employing mussel-inspired dopamine chemistry.
Antibacterial Materials: Research @
Azam Group
Multiresponsive Hydrogel
In Azam group we synthesize multiresponsive
hydrogel where we exploit the magnetic behavior of Fe3O4
nanoparticles in introducing magneto-responsive property to other
stimuli-responsive systems such as thermo- and pH- responsive polymers.
This project is funded by the world academy of science (TWAS).
Magnetic Nanomaterials for Dye Removal
In another project we make the most of the
magnetic properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in
developing magnetically separable adsorbents based on cellulose
nanocrystal and different polymers. Magnetic nanoparticles remain
covalently bonded to the polymeric network resulting in excellent
regenerability of the adsorbents even after applying magnetic field
during separation.
Cellulose Nanocrystal from Waste Sawdust
We extract cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) from
waste sawdust by following a modified literaure procedure in our lab.
The extracted cellulose nanocrystals are further chemically modified and
added to other systems to introduce new properties, which are expected
due to very high dispersion of CNC.
|
