Collaborators

Expertise: 

Multifunctional 2D nanocomposites; Solid-state electrolyte membranes; Electrolytic hydrogels; Nano-engineered electrodes; Hydrogel fuel cells; Electrolysers; Solid-State Batteries; Supercapacitors; Electrochemical sensors.

Research interests:  

Ion-conductive 2D-nano-engineered electrolyte membranes and hydrogels; One-pot synthesis of multifunctional nanomaterials (e.g. GO, rGO, hBN, MXene, etc.); PEM and AEM fuel cells and electrolysers; Capillary-fed water electrolysers; Smart coatings for electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems (e.g., hydrogen-impermeable separators, self-healing electrolyte membranes, flame-retardant batteries, etc.); Solid-state metal/metal-ion batteries (e.g., Li, Na, Zn, Al, etc.); Hybrid supercapacitors; Electrochemical gas sensors (e.g., ethanol, hydrogen, etc.) and biosensors (e.g., glucose); Self-powered smart textiles; 3D porous 2D-nanoengioneered electrode films as anodes and cathodes.

Research description:

In the field of clean energy, our research at the Nanoengineering Laboratory for Energy and Environmental Technologies (NLEET) group is focused on the formulation, synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of multifunctional nano-engineered materials for (i) bidirectional superionic electrolyte membranes and hydrogels in different electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems; (ii) 3D-porous nano-engineered electrodes for batteries and supercapacitors; (iii) hydrogen generation and storage via PEM and AEM water electrolysers; and (iv) electrochemical gas sensors and biosensors.

Current funded research projects:

• 2021 – 2027: Co-PI, NSERC CREATE, Hybrid Thermal Electric Microgrid (HyTEM)
• 2025 – 2026: Co-PI, DAIR GF2 Program, Advanced Hybrid-Reinforced Epoxy Granite Tanks for Enhanced Hydrogen Storage and Structural Integrity Under High Pressure, Partnership with Hebe Network.
• 2025 – 2026: PI, Toronto Metropolitan University, SRC Initiative 2024, Sustainable Water-Energy Nexus by Multipurpose Quantum-Engineered Hydrogels.
• 2018 – 2024: PI, NSERC Discovery Grant, Multifunctional “White Graphene” for Solid-State Energy Storage Systems.
• 2023 – 2026: PI, three Mitacs Accelerate funds in collaboration with industries for the exploration and development of novel nanocomposites for energy storage and electrochemical biosensors.

Main equipment and infrastructure:

NLEET facilities:

• • Synthesis and fabrication: glovebox, laser cutting machine, ball milling, electro spinner, tape/doctor blade casting machine, top ultrasonicators, ultrasound baths, refrigerated centrifuge, spin coater, muffle furnace, two-tube furnaces for CVD, autoclave, convection and vacuum ovens.
  • Electrochemical characterisation: Potentiostat, battery characterisation station, electrochemical cells, 2-probe and 4-probe setup of in-plane and through-plane EIS analyses, digital multimeter oscilloscope.
  • Physicochemical characterisation: surface tensiometer and contact angle analyzer, high pressure stirred cell for studying membrane processes.

Accessibility to other infrastructure at TMU:

• • DSC, Raman spectrometer, TGA, FT-IR, UV-Vis, SEM, UTM, XRD, Rheometer, Optical profilometer, etc.