(2dp) Developing Functional Materials Using Photopolymerization

I am interested in the design and processing of novel polymer structures for applications in functional surfaces and energy storage. Specifically, my research is focused on controlling the distribution of nanofillers such as nanoparticles within the polymer matrix with the objective of developing surface-textured functional materials with tunable morphologies, using photopolymerization. Incumbent fabrication techniques such as mold-based lithography and 3D printing offer little to no control over the spatial distribution of nanoparticles within the polymer, which is a critical issue. My graduate work has been centered around using visible light as a tool to control the location of nanoparticles during polymer processing (photopolymerization) in a process known as Light-Induced Self-Writing, or, LISW. In this process, spatially separated light beams elicit polymerization along their pathlength and inscribe permanent channels within the polymerizing medium. I have demonstrated using in-situ Raman spectroscopy that the incident light intensity used for photopolymerization can effectively facilitate or retard nanoparticle phase-separation [1] owing to its relationship with the rate of polymerization. I have also demonstrated that the profile of the structures can be modulated from bumps to pillars based on the type of nanoparticles used, and the composition of the mixture. Using these principles, I have developed by-design surfaces such as bio-inspired superhydrophobic surfaces [2], vertically-aligned composite pillar arrays [3], and am currently investigating structure formation during the photopolymerization of emulsion-type mixtures. Alongside, I have used bulk photopolymerization to develop gel-type polymer electrolytes for calcium-ion conduction for calcium-ion batteries based on a coordination chemistry approach [4]. Going forward, I am interested in understanding the effects of nanofiller shape and nanofiller–polymer interactions on the phase morphology of photopolymerizable media. Of particular interest to me is simultaneously elucidating the dynamics of both the particle, and the polymer segments and chains to provide a synergistic picture of the effect of one on the other, specifically based on enthalpic modifications of the constituent components. I am also interested in the chemistry of sustainable polymer science.

Teaching Interests

At Syracuse University, I have enjoyed serving as a Teaching Assistant for a 300-level mixed sophomore/junior materials class (Engineering Materials, Properties, and Processing), as well as a 200-level class known as Experimental Methods in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. I received favorable ratings for both classes.

I would like to focus on teaching Polymer Science. I am passionate about bringing real-life examples into the classroom. For instance, the science behind shoe-design and manufacturing, the properties that each individual material must possess and its contribution to the final product. I am also interested in teaching general Materials Science (metals, glasses, their structure, etc.), as well as ethics in research.

[1] Pathreeker S. et al., Soft Matter, 2020.
[2] Pathreeker S. et al., ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 2021.
[3] Wellington N., et al., Composites Communications, 2022.
[4] Pathreeker S., and Hosein, I. D., ChemRxiv, 2022.