Our Research | Sagar Pal, PhD

Design and synthesis of stimuli responsive polymeric self-assembly

Newly design amphiphilic copolymers are a type of smart materials that can change their composition or conformation when exposed to triggers inside or outside the cell. These triggers can include variations in light, heat, or pH. They are found to be efficient to deliver hydrophobic drugs.

Key Publications : Biomacromolecules, 26, 4898, 2025; Macromolecules, 57, 8445, 2024; Polymer, 291, 126581, 2024.

Stimuli responsive chemically / physically crosslinked gels

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels/nanogels are soft materials that can change their structure or mechanical properties in response to environmental triggers. These gels can be used for a variety of biomedical applications such as drug delivery, hemostasis, biosensors, wound healing and so on.

Key Publications : Langmuir, 41, 24326, 2025; ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 7, 4166, 2025; Soft Matter, 21, 2836, 2025.

Polymeric photocatalysts

Photocatalysts are converting solar energy into chemical energy. Polymeric photocatalysts demonstrate excellent efficacy towards the environmental remediation through degradation of toxic pollutants present in the wastewater/effluent.

Key Publications : ACS Applied Nano Materials, 8, 18348–18367, 2025; Langmuir, 40, 16208-16225, 2024; Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 63, 3539, 2024.

Polymeric flocculant

Flocculation is a process by which an external reagent is added to the contaminated water that facilitates bonding between suspended particles. This forms larger aggregates, which are easier to separate. The polymeric flocculants are widely used in the wastewater treatment plants.

Key Publications : Materials Today Communications, 32, 103810, 2022; Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 32, 2169, 2021;