Braja K. Mandal , Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry
Office: 328 Life Sciences Building
Phone: 312.567.3446
Fax: 312.567.3494
Email: mandal@iit.edu
Expertise
Education
- B.S. University of Calcutta
- Ph.D. Indian Institute of Technology
Curriculum Vitae
Research & Major Accomplishments
The major focus of our research group is centered on phthalocyanine (Pc)-based materials for organic solar cells and photovoltaic devices. Specifically, we are interested in the design and synthesis of structurally rigid artificial photosynthetic systems (e.g., Pc-Benzoquinone and Pc-C60 dyads) to mimic natural photosynthesis. We are also engaged in developing Pc incorporated high dielectric constant polymer films by the atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique, and Pc-based microporous materials for hydrogen storage applications.
Another highly focused area of our research is polymer/liquid electrolytes for Li-ion batteries. Our recent work in this area involved:
- Introduction, for the first time, of thermal runaway inhibitor (TRI) additives to prevent catastrophic events in Li-ion batteries due to failure of current path interruptor (CPI) or under abusive conditions.
- New classes of low lattice energy lithium salts
- Smart liquid electrolytes specifically, for use at low temperatures (-50°C).
- Gel polymer electrolytes by crosslinking chloromethylated polymers with dendritic polyamines.
I am pleased to inform you that my book entitled “Polymer Synthesis- strategies and tactics”, has now been published (early September 2009). This book (ISBN: 978-0-9841572-0-4) presents the most up-to-date developments in polymer chemistry with special emphasis on strategies and tactics to prepare monomers and polymers and to perform newly developed polymerization reactions. The book is designed to accommodate the needs of both advanced undergraduate and graduate students who have a good background in organic chemistry, as well as a stand-alone handy polymer synthesis reference guide. Further information, including preview of the book, can be obtained at the publisher’s website.
Currently, I am working on two books, exclusively for undergraduate students. One is based on Polymer Science and Technology and the other, on Experimental Organic Chemistry. Both books will be produced in collaboration with several renowned professors, including some of my IIT colleagues. These books are scheduled for completion by the fall of 2010.
Current Projects
Awards/Honors
Patents
Books
Selected Publications
Three-Step Synthetic Methodology to a New Family of Polylithium Salts for Lithium-ion Batteries, A. Chakrabarti, R. Filler. B. K. Mandal, ECS Transactions, 16 (29) 77-89 (2009).
Polyethylene Oxide-Based Gel Membrane Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries, Kan Luo, Robert Filler, Braja K. Mandal, ECS Transactions, 16 (29) 189-195 (2009).
Novel Zinc Phthalocyanine-Benzoquinone Rigid Dyad and Its Photoinduced Electron Transfer Properties By Lee, Chi-Hang; Guo, Jiangchang; Chen, Lin X.; Mandal, Braja. K. From Journal of Organic Chemistry (2008), 73(21), 8219-8227.
Highly amorphous solid polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries By Luo, K.; Filler, R.; Mandal, B. K. ECS Transactions (2007), 6(14), 89-98.
New low temperature electrolytes with thermal runaway inhibition for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries By Mandal, Braja K.; Padhi, Akshaya K.; Shi, Zhong; Chakraborty, Sudipto; Filler, Robert From Journal of Power Sources (2006), 162(1), 690-695.
Self-assembled, nano-structured octaalkoxy-helicenocyanines By Mandal, Braja K.; Sooksimuang, Thanasat; Lee, Chi-Hang; Wang, Rong From Journal of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (2006), 10(3), 140-146.
Excited State Dynamics and Structures of Functionalized Phthalocyanines. 1. Self-Regulated Assembly of Zinc Helicenocyanine By Chen, Lin X.; Shaw, George B.; Tiede, David M.; Zuo, Xiaobing; Zapol, Peter; Redfern, Paul C.; Curtiss, Larry A.; Sooksimuang, Thanasat; Mandal, Braja K. From Journal of Physical Chemistry B (2005), 109(35), 16598-16609.
New fluorine-containing plasticized low lattice energy lithium salt for plastic batteries By Mandal, Braja K.; Filler, Robert From Journal of Fluorine Chemistry (2005), 126(5), 845-848.
[5]helicene-fused phthalocyanine derivatives. New members of the phthalocyanine family By Sooksimuang Thanasat; Mandal Braja K., From The Journal of Organic Chemistry (2003), 68(2), 652-5.
First synthesis of 5[helicene] fused phthalocyanines: exceptional solubilities and long Q-band absorptions By Mandal, Braja K.; Sooksimuang, Thanasat From Journal of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (2002), 6(1), 66-72.
A New Class of Aromatic Dianhydrides for Thermostable Polyimides By Walsh, Christopher J.; Mandal, Braja K. From Chemistry of Materials (2001), 13(8), 2472-2475.
A Novel Method for the Peripheral Modification of Phthalocyanines. Synthesis and Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Absorption of β-Tetrakis(2,3,4,5,6-pentaphenylbenzene) phthalocyanine By Walsh, Christopher J.; Mandal, Braja K. From Chemistry of Materials (2000), 12(2), 287-289.
New Class of Single-Ion-Conducting Solid Polymer Electrolytes Derived from Polyphenols By Mandal, Braja K.; Walsh, Christopher J.; Sooksimuang, Thanasat; Behroozi, Saeid J.; Kim, Sang-gu; Kim, Yong-Tae; Smotkin, Eugene S.; Filler, Robert; Castro, Cathy From Chemistry of Materials (2000), 12(1), 6-8.
Improved synthesis of unsymmetrical, heteroaromatic 1,2-diketones and the synthesis of carbazole ring substituted tetraaryl cyclopentadienones By Walsh, Christopher J.; Mandal, Braja K. From Journal of Organic Chemistry (1999), 64(16), 6102-6105.
Heteroaryl Substituted Polythiophenes: Chemical and Electrochemical Syntheses and Characterization of Poly[3-(9-tris(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether)carbazoylthiophene] By Walsh, Christopher J.; Sooksimuang, Thanasat; Mandal, Braja K. From Macromolecules (1999), 32(7), 2397-2399.
