Major Research Areas (Luminescent Materials and Device Development)

• Nano-structures and quantum materials: Halide perovskite nanocrystals/Quantum dots, Oxide and Fluoride nano-phosphors, organic-inorganic hybrid nanostructures and composites, inorganic persistent luminescence materials, etc.
• Energy and lighting application: Halide perovskites for solar cell and LEDs applications; Lanthanide doped materials for energy conversion.
• Optical imaging application: Photon upconversion based optical imaging of cancerous cells; X-ray imaging using persistent phosphors.
• Security Application: Static and dynamic Anti-counterfeiting technologies using nanostructures; optical data storage using persistent luminescence phosphors.
• Optical and Bio-sensing: Optical materials for sensing of temperature and different types of gases and biomolecules.
• Photocatalysis and clean water technology: Photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and hexavalent chromium for clean water using composite nanostructures.

List of Publications: Detailed list can be found at: Google Scholar

Some Representative Publications after Joining IIT (BHU): (* Corresponding Author)

Luminescent Materials and Device Development (LMDD) Group

Post-Doctoral Fellow:

1. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Viswakarma, CSIR-RA: Nanophosphor Material

Research Scholars: 

1. Mr. Sachin Singh (INSPIRE Fellow): Nanostructures for Energy Harvesting
2. Ms. Shruti (Prime Minister's Research Fellow-PMRF): Luminescence Nanostructures for Optical Encoding 
3. Ms. Shanas Fatima (Prime Minister's Research Fellow-PMRF): Materials for Optical Encryption and Energy Applications               
4. Mr. Akhil Kumar Rai (JRF-UGC): Halide Perovskites for Radiation Detection

---- (Co-Supervisor)

1. Mr. Prem Chandra Bharti (Teaching Assistant) [Co-supervisor]
2. Ms. Manisha Sharma (CSIR-JRF) [Co-supervisor]
3. Ms. Gargi (UGC-JRF) [Co-supervisor]
4. Mr. Munindra Kushwaha [UGC-JRF] [Co-supervisor]

Master (M.Tech/M.Sc.) and UG Students: 

1. Mr. Shubham Prajapati [M.Sc., 2024-25]: Lanthanide doped nanoparticles for anticounterfeiting applications
2. Mr. Akhil Kumar (2024-25) [M.Tech Project]: Inorganic halide perovskites for light emitting diode (LEDs) applications
3. Mr. Vansh Gupta [UG Project]: Extended emission in halide perovskites through interfacing with Nobel metal nanoparticles
4. Mr. Faizaan [Stream Project]: 

Former Members of LMDD Group

Research Scholars: 

1. Dr. Santosh Kachhap (2024): Lanthanide Interfaced Inorganic Halide/Oxide Perovskites for Optical Applications

Masters (M.Tech & MSc.)

1. Mr. Tofan Sitha (2023-24) [M.Sc. Thesis]; Optical thermometry using lanthanide doped Lead free halide perovskites. 
2. Mr. Abhay Kumar Gaurav (2023-24) [M.Tech]; Optical studies in Inorganic Halide Perovskite inserted europium metal organic  framework
3. Mr. Anshu Kumar Mishra (2022-23) [M.Tech]; Development of Lanthanide-Doped Upconversion Nanoparticles for Optical Encoding
4. Mr. Niglum N (2022-23) [M.Sc.]; Colloidal quantum dots as platform for Quantum Information
5. Mr. Saurabh Jha (21-22) [M.Sc.]; Photon upconversion in lanthanide materials
6. Ms. Suchita Kumari (20-21) [M.Sc.]; Photon Upconversion in Lanthanide Nanostructure
7. Mr. Ishank Kumar Mittal (20-21); Dual mode emission in lanthanide-doped nanostructures
8. Ms. Priyanka Baa (19-20); Lanthanide doped material for energy harvesting applications

As Inspire Faculty 

1. Mr. Dhruv Bargujar (2015-16); Insight into the bright side of defects: study of persistent luminescence 
2. Mr. Chittyreddy Sripal (2016-17); Optical properties of lanthanide doped phosphors

Undergraduates

• Stream/UG Projects

1. Mr. Akhil Kumar 
2. Mr. Abhay Kumar Gaurav
3. Ms. Priyanka Baa
4. Mr. Ishank Kumar Mittal
5. Mr. Dhruv Bargujar
6. Mr. Pawan Malviya (Co-Supervisor)

• Exploratory Projects

1. Mr. Manish Nonha 
2. Mr. Subhro Das

Facilities in LMDD Lab

Synthesis techniques 

• Sold state reaction (SSR) method: Phosphor materials in micron size
• Combustion synthesis technique: Phosphor materials in nano and micron size
• Thermal decomposition technique (Argon gas based): Fluoride nanoparticles
• Coprecipitation method:  Ultrafine fluoride nanoparticles
• Hot injection Method: Halide perovskite quantum dots and nanocrystals
• Ligand assisted reprecipitation (LARP) method: Halide perovskite microcrystals
• Hydrothermal synthesis (Autoclaves): Ultrafine nanoparticles of phosphors, halide perovskites, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), hybrid nanostructures.

Supporting facilities: Weighing Balance (Shimadzu), High temperature furnaces (800 ⁰C and 1300 ⁰C), Vacuum furnace (150 ⁰C), Ultrasonicator, Centrifuges (9000 rpm, 12000 rpm), Fume hood, Spin coater, Pellet machine.

Optical characterization techniques

• PL Spectrophotometer (Floromax-3, Horiba) [Temperature dependent PL & Magnetic field dependent PL measurement]
• CCD based spectrometer (QE Pro 6500, Coherent and.........) [Stand-off detection using fiber]
• Photon upconversion (UC) emission measurement setup [Temperature dependent (UC) emission measurement]
• Lasers (980 nm and 408 nm)
• Laser engraving setup (for optical encryption)
• Laser power meter
• UV Lamp (255 nm, 365 nm)

Department Facilities

• UV- Visible absorption spectrometer
• FITR setup
• XRD (Table top)
• DTA/TGA

Central facilities (Institute)

• HR-TEM
• HR-SEM
• XRD
• SPM
• MPMS
• EDS
• XPS
• SAXS

Principal Investigator

1. A new approach for anticounterfeiting using hybrid nanostructure, UPCST Grant, UP Government, India (2025-28)
2. Inorganic halide perovskites for optical encryption...., Core Research Grant, SERB-DST, India (2023-25)
3. Luminescent nanostructures as spectral converters..., Seed Grant-IIT(BHU), India (2018-19)
4. Nanostructures for bio-imaging...., INSPIRE, DST, India (2013-18) 

Co-Investigator

1. Tailoring correlations of light using plasmonic and nano-structures, BRNS, India (2021-23) 
2. High Proton conducting metal phosphonate electrolytes for fuel cell applications, DRDO, India (22-23)

Fellowships

1. DST-Inspire Faculty Award, DST, New Delhi (2013-2017)
2. Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF), Changwon National University, South Korea (2011-2012)
3. CSIR-NEHRU PDF, CSIR, New Delhi (awarded, did not availed)
4. DS Kothari PDF, UGC, New Delhi (awarded, did not availed)
5. Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), CSIR, New Delhi (2009-2011)
6. Junior & Senior Research Fellowships (JRF & SRF), Directorate of Forensic Science Services, MHA, New Delhi (2006-2009)

Awards

1. Listed in “World’s Top 2% Scientists List” of Stanford University” under “Nanoscience and Nanotechnology” Category. (2020, 2023)
2. M.L. Khorana Memorial Prize, Indian Pharmaceutical Association, Mumbai (2012) [https://ipapharma.org/ijps-best-paper-awards/]
3. Young Scientist Award, Indian Science Congress Association, India (2010) [www.sciencecongress.nic.in/young_scientists_awards_09-10.php]
4. Best Paper presentation Awards in Conference/Seminar/Symposium:
   • 2^nd International Conference on Soft Materials, MNIT, Jaipur, India (2016).
   • National Symposium on Advances in Lasers and Spectroscopy (Harbansh Singh Memorial Young Scientist Award), Dr. H. S. Gaur Central University, Sagar, India (2009)
   • One day Conference on New Trends in Research, BHU, Varanasi, India (2007) 

Membership of Professional Bodies:

1. Materials Research Society of India (MRSI, Life Member, Membership No. LMB 3942 )
2. Optical Society of India (OSI, Life Member, Membership No. L.1088)
3. Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA, Life Member, Membership No. L14296)
4. Laser & Spectroscopy Society of India (LASSI, Life Member, Membership No. 315-08)
5. Society for Interdisciplinary Research in Materials and Biology (SIRMB, Life Member, Membership No: LT-023)
6. Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC, Annual member by invitation, Membership No. 584365)

Invited Talks

Talks for Science Popularization Program/Social Responsibility Program

1. Fundamentals of Laser and its bio-medical applications, Resource person for a training workshop organized for Science Graduate (B.Sc.) students, Sunbeam Womens Degree College Varuna, Varanasi, 25^th April, 2023.  
2. Laser and its applications, SERB-Social Responsibility Program, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, 26^th March, 2022.

Professional Talks

1. Multicomponent heterojunction photocatalyst for wide solar range responsive photocatalytic application, 34th AGM of Materials Research Society of India, Indian Institute of technology (BHU) Varanasi, Dec 12-15, 2023.
2. Multicomponent heterojunction photocatalyst for UV-Visible-NIR responsive photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B, International Conference on Advanced Materials for Better Tomorrow-II, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Oct. 10-13, 2023
3. Photon conversion in rare-earth doped inorganic materials, Indo-Us Joint Meeting, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Nov. 28-30, 2022
4. Photon upconversion in lanthanides: Basics, mechanism, and applications, STUTI Training Program on “Synthesis and Characterization of Nanomaterials for Energy, Lighting & Bio-imaging Applications” Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad, Nov. 07-13, 2022
5. Lanthanide doped hybrid nanostructures for optical encryption, International Conference on Smart Materials for Sustainable Technology-II, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, Oct. 13-16, 2022
6. Laser Spectroscopy for Biological Applications, National Symposium on ‘Laser in Biology, Medical Science, Atmospheric Science and Climate Change’ Physics Department, Udai Pratap College, Varanasi, Mar. 14-15, 2022. 
7. Upconversion Spectroscopy, Virtual Workshop on Probing Materials using Spectroscopic Tools: Basics and Applications, MAHATMA GANDHI CENTRAL UNIVERSITY, Motihari, Bihar, Feb. 28-Mar 04, 2022
8. Photoluminescence spectroscopy and its applications, Short Term Course on ‘Spectroscopy and its Applications in Modern Science’ (STC9-21), Doctor Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, India (A Central University), 18^th-24^th Feb. 2022.
9. Photon upconversion in lanthanide doped nanostructures & their applications, IIT and NIMS Materials Science Workshop, supported by JST SAKURA Science Program, Japan, 6-10 Dec. 2021.
10. Upconversion Spectroscopy of nanomaterials, International Conference on Smart Materials for Sustainable Technology (SMST 2020), NIT Goa, Goa, 22-26 Feb. 2020.
11. Hybrid nanostructures for the generation of red-NIR bimodal emission covering the first biological window, in International Symposium on Photonics and Plasmonics (ISPP-2019), at Department of Physics, Central University of Rajasthan, Kishangarh, Ajmer, 23-24 September 2019.
12. Infrared to infrared photon upconversion through photo-stimulated luminescence, in a National Conference on Advanced Nanomaterials and their applications (ANA-2018), at Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) Allahabad, 21-23 Dec. 2018. 
13. Photon conversion using coherent and incoherent light sources for strategic applications in National Conference on Advances in Spectroscopy: Molecules to Materials at Institute of Infrastructure Technology Research and Management Ahmedabad, 05/10/2018.
14. Photon management (up and down-conversion) using coherent and incoherent light sources” in the National Conference on Advances in Spectroscopic Techniques and Materials (ASTM-2018)” at Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad, India., 14-16 March, 2018
15. Lanthanide doped magneto-luminescent nanostructures for upconversion microscopy”, in a National Symposium on Horizons of light in molecules, materials and daily life, held at Dr. H. S. Gour University, Sagar, MP, 18-19 Dec., 2015
16. Lanthanide doped nanostructure for multi-modal emission and their applications, Indian Science Congress, Physical Science section, Mumbai University, 3-7 Jan. 2015.
17. Physics of multi-mode emission: Optical properties of rare-earth doped phosphors”, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, Winter School on Advances in Laser Spectroscopy and Applications, Physics Department, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 22-28 March, 2014
18. Low temperature synthesis, nano-crystalline structure and observation of dual-mode luminescence, Indo-German Conference on Laser application and Nanoscience, Kerla, 5-7, Dec. 2013.

Current Semester:

PHY-101: Classical, Quantum & Relativistic Mechanics

PYM 541: Laser Physics (M.Sc.)

PYM 591: Spectroscopy Lab (M.Sc.)

Earlier-

Theory Courses

PHY-101/AP-1101/1201 Classical, Quantum & Relativistic Mechanics
PHY-103 Modern Physics
EP-342 Biophysical Techniques
AP-3202 Atomic Physics & Nucl. Engg.
AP-4103-Quantum Electronics
EP-432/AP-5104/AP-7107-Photonics & Optoelectronics
PYM 541: Laser Physics (M.Sc.)
AP-7111-Advanced Materials Characterization Techniques (Ph.D. Course work)
 
Lab Courses-

AP-1301/1401- Mechanics Lab
AP-1401/1402- Electricity & Optics Lab
AP-4301: Physics Lab, IMD-IV^th year
AP-4401: Physics Lab, IMD-IV^th year
PYM 591: Spectroscopy Lab (M.Sc.)
 

Dr. Sunil Kumar Singh
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics,
IIT(BHU), Varanasi-221005
Phone- 08127488191
Email id- sunilks.app@itbhu.ac.in