DEPARTMENTS
Dr. Aji A. Anappara
Dr. Aji A. Anappara

Professor

Office Address:

PH 117 (B) (First floor, Physics building) Department of Physics, NIT Calicut, Kerala, India 673 601

Contact no:

+91-(0)495-2285107

Email ID:

aji@nitc.ac.in

Home Address:

  • Ph. D.: Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy (2008)

  • M. Phil.: Kerala University (2003)

  • M.Sc.: Kerala University (2000)

  • Educational Qualifications

    • Ph. D.: Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy (2008)

    • M. Phil.: Kerala University (2003)

    • M.Sc.: Kerala University (2000)

    Professional Experience

    • Professor, NIT Calicut (2022 - present)

    • Associate Professor, NIT Calicut (2018 - 2022)

    • Assistant Professor, NIT Calicut (2010 - 2018)

    Our research group focuses on the design and development of novel materials to manipulate fundamental light-matter interactions for optoelectronic device fabrication. We have extensive experience synthesizing various low-dimensional systems, spanning two-dimensional (nanosheets) to zero-dimensional (quantum dots) structures. Our research group is currently engaged in a diverse portfolio of projects at the forefront of optoelectronics, nanomaterials synthesis, and light-driven chemical processes. A key area of focus is the development of advanced photodetectors, pushing the boundaries of sensitivity, spectral range, and functionality. This includes the design and fabrication of self-powered, battery-less photodetectors fabricated on flexible and portable substrates (like paper, polyimide etc.), enabling low-cost and environmentally friendly UV-vis-NIR detection. We are also exploring the challenging field of high-temperature near-infrared photodetectors for specialized applications. Furthermore, our work in bio-inspired optoelectronics involves the design and fabrication of event-responsive, retinomorphic sensors that mimic the human retina's light-intensity detection capabilities. Bridging optoelectronics and microfluidics, we are developing innovative artificial optoelectronic synaptic devices, potentially paving the way for neuromorphic computing. Beyond photon detection, our research delves into the realm of light-activated chemistry, where we are developing novel materials to facilitate efficient, light-triggered, and industrially relevant chemical reactions. Finally, we are investigating the fundamental properties of nanomaterials, specifically exploring how multivalence influences the structural variations and related optoelectronic properties of elemental chalcogen nanostructures. This comprehensive approach, spanning from device development to fundamental materials science, positions our group at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary research. The results of the above-mentioned research topics are either granted patents or published (and under consideration). 

    Research Topics: Current

    - Self-powered photodetectors on paper substrates for UV-vis-NIR detection (Ph.D. scholar: Varsha Sharma)

    - Event-responsive, retinomorphic sensors for light-intensity detection (Ph.D. scholar: Varsha Sharma)

    - Optofluidics-based artificial optoelectronic synaptic devices (Ph.D. scholar: Varsha Sharma)

    - Higher-operating-temperature Near-IR photodetectors (Ph.D. student: Henna Sherin P.)

    - Development of materials for efficient, light-triggered, industrially-relevant chemical reactions (Ph.D. scholar: Anupama M.)

    - Multivalency-induced structural variations and related opto-electronic properties of elemental chalcogen nanostructures (Ph.D. scholar: Swathi V. M.)


    Our research in the past encompasses material systems including pristine to chemically-functionalized carbon-based nanostructures (carbon dots, CNTs, graphene), boron-based nanostructures (derived from transition-metal diborides), carbide nanosheets (fabricated from metal carbides). We have demonstrated the design and fabrication of white-light emitting LEDs with pure-white emission (CIE co-ordinates of ~0.33, 0.33) using remote-phosphor technology. We have also developed heavy metal-free nanomaterials for phosphorescence emission at ambient conditions, passive photonic materials for chemical sensing of heavy metals, nitroaromatics and explosives. Additionally, we have expertise in the development of silicon nanopillars exhibiting multifunctionality, such as antireflection coating, Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) enhancement and photodetection. Our group has developed and demonstrated energy harvesting via light-to-thermal conversion in low-dimensional carbon-based systems, and boron-based nanostructures. Furthermore, we hold a patent for a visible-light induced resonant-energy transfer technique that converts post-consumer polymers to the corresponding monomers (with a conversion efficiency of ~97%) through visible-light induced resonant-energy transfer (Patent No.: 515351; granted on February 26, 2024).

    Research Topics: Past

    - Optoelectronic properties of boron-based nanostructures derived from metal diborides (completed doctoral research: Dr. Saju K. John)

    - Energy harvesting applications of low-dimensional carbon-based system (completed doctoral research: Dr. Nishaina Sahadev)

    - Luminescent carbon dots for chemical sensing, phosphorescence and white-light emitting device applications (completed doctoral research: Dr. Julin Joseph)

    Defect-induced electrodeposited ZnO nanostructures: optical, magnetic and electrical properties (completed doctoral research: Dr. A. Simimol)

    - Multifunctional Silicon nanopillars for Antireflection, Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and photodetector applications (completed doctoral research: Dr. Prajith K.)

    List of patents: granted (2025)

    - Aji A. Anappara, Haribabu Krishnan, Anupama M., Juliana John, Karnapa Ajit, Fabrication method of Vanadium monocarbide nanosheets as efficient anode catalysts for single-chamber microbial fuel cells, Patent No.: 560607 (Granted on 19/02/2025)

    -  Aji A. Anappara, Varsha Sharma, A zero-bias retinomorphic photodetector on a paper-based substrate and a method of fabricating the same, Patent No.: 557484 (Granted on 06/01/2025)

     

    List of patents: granted (2024)

    - Aji A. Anappara, Varsha Sharma, A dark-current free and carrier-diffusion based self-powered photodetector and method of operating the same, Patent No.: 532661 (Granted on 12/04/2024)

    - Aji A. Anappara, Varsha Sharma, A charge carrier-diffusion based self-powered photodetector based on Hafnium diboride/Silver heterostructures, Patent No.: 529570 (Granted on 21/03/2024)

    - Aji A. Anappara, Varsha Sharma, A Niobium diselenide based self-powered photodetector, Patent No.: 551014 (Granted on 25/09/2024)

    - Aji A. Anappara, Varsha Sharma, Fabrication of a self-powered photodetector based on thermo-diffusion effect in ionic liquids, Patent No.: 541052 (Granted on 06/06/2024)

    - Aji A. Anappara, Anupama M., A method of synthesizing oxalate-functionalized Niobium monocarbide nanosheets for efficient photothermal conversion and light-triggered chemical reactions, Patent No.: 547506 (Granted on 12/08/2024)

    - Aji A. Anappara, Parameswaran P., Saju K. John, A method for the visible light-induced selective degradation of poly(propylene carbonate) to its monomer propylene carbonate, Patent No.: 515351 (Granted on 26/02/2024)

     

     List of patents: published (2023-2024)

    - Aji A. Anappara, Varsha Sharma, A dark-current free self-powered photodetector based on Vanadium carbide (VC) - Silver (Ag) heterostructures, Appl. No.: 202341036351 (published on 01/09/2024)

    - Aji A. Anappara, Anupama M., A method of the fabrication of pristine Vanadium monocarbide quantum dots for the reduction of nitrobenzene, Appl. No.: 202441048453 (published on 05/07/2024)

    - Aji A. Anappara, Varsha Sharma, An edible event-responsive photodetector for light intensity detection and method of operation thereof, Appl. No.: 202441029524 (published on 19/04/2024)

    Publications in peer-reviewed journals (reverse chronological order)

    37. Selective etching of Aluminium towards the synthesis of AlB2 derived aqueous dispersion of luminescent boron-based nanosheets, M. Anupama, Reeja Gopalakrishnan Nair, Aji A. Anappara, Appl. Phys. A,  131, 39 (2025)

    36. V.M. Swathi, K. Arjun, Anju Rajan, Raghu Chathanathodi, Karthikeyan Balasubramanian, Aji A. Anappara, Multivalency-induced structural variations of 2D selenium nanosheets: facile solution-phase synthesis and optical properties, PhysChemChemPhys, 26,33, 22112-22121 (2024)

    35. Julin Joseph, Aji A. Anappara, Comparative photoluminescence study of nitrogen doped carbon dots co-doped with boron and sulphur, Luminescence, 37, 9,1481 (2022)

    34. Akhila A.K., Suresh Babu A.R., Aji A. Anappara, Renuka N.K., Specific ultralow level chemorecognition using graphene-fluorophore supramolecular assembly: Fine-tuning the fluorophore framework, Spectrochimica Acta Part A, 266, 120408 (2022)

    33. Vidya T., Anupama M. Sajan M., Julin Joseph, Aji A. Anappara, Multi-functional carbon dots for visual detection of picric acid and white-light emission, Materials Research Bullettin, 138, 111223 (2021)

    32. Anci V. A., Thasleena Panakkal, Aji A. Anappara, Renuka N. K., Acetic acid derived carbon dots as efficient pH and bio-molecule sensor, International Journal of Environmental Anlytical Chemistry, 101, 506-512 (2021)

    31. Nishaina Sahadev, Aji A. Anappara, Photo-to-thermal conversion: effective utilization of futile solid-state carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for energy haevsting applications, New Journal of Chemistry, 44, 25, 10662-10670 (2020)

    30. Saju K. John, Aji A. Anappara, Facile synthesis of aqueous-dispersed luminescent nanosheets from non-layered lanthanum hexaboride, RSC Advances, 10, 31788-31789 (2020)

    29. Saju K. John, Aji A. Anappara, Aqueous dispersion of highly luminescent boron-rich nanosheets by the exfoliation of polycrystalline titanium diboride, New Journal of Chemistry, 43, 9953-9960 (2019)

    28. Nishaina Sahadev, Aji A. Anappara, Photothermal effect in solid-state MWCNT: Possible signatures of thermal anisotropy, Journal of Applied Physics, 124, 145104 (2018)

    27. Prajith Karadan, Shantanu Aggarwal, Aji A. Anappara, Chandrabhas Narayana, Harish C. Barshilia, Tailored periodic Si nanopillar based architectures as highly sensitive universal SERS biosensing platform, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 254, 264-271 (2018)

    26. Julin Joseph, Aji A. Anappara, Ellagic acid-functionalized fluorescent carbon dots for ultrasensitive and selective detection of mercuric ions via quenching, Journal of Luminescence, 192, 761-766 (2017)

    25. Nishaina Sahadev, Aji A. Anappara, Enhanced photothermal effect in reduced graphene oxide in the solid-state, Journal of Applied Physics, 122, 185103 (2017)

    24. Prajith Karadan, Santhanu Parida, Arvind Kumar, Aji A. Anappara, Sandip Dhara, Harish C. Barshilia, Charge transport studies on Si nanopillars for photodetectors fabricated using vapor phase metal-assisted chemical etching, Applied Physics A: Material Science and Processing, 123, 681 (2017)

    23. Saju K. John, Daughty K. John, N. Bijoy, Raghu Chathanathodi, Aji A. Anappara, Magnesium diboride: An effective light-to-heat conversion material in the solid-state, Applied Physics Letters, 111, 033901 (2017)

    22. Julin Joseph and Aji A. Anappara, Long lifetime room-temperature phosphorescence of carbon dots in aluminum sulfate, ChemistrySelect, 2, 4058-4062 (2017)

    21. Julin Joseph and Aji A. Anappara, Cool white, persistent room-temperature phosphorescence in carbon dots embedded in a silica gel matrix, PhysChemChemPhys, 19, 15137-15144 (2017)

    20. Julin Joseph and Aji A. Anappara, White-light emitting carbon dots prepared by the electrochemical exfoliation of graphite, ChemPhysChem., 18, 292-298 (2017)

    19. A. Simimol, Aji A. Anappara and Harish C. Barshilia, Influence of defects on electrical properties of electrodeposited co-doped ZnO nanocoatings, Materials Research Express, 4, 015001 (2017)

    18. Julin Joseph, Aji A. Anappara, Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of UV-emitting carbon dots from tannic acid, New Journal of Chemistry, 40, 8110-8117 (2016)

    17. Prajith Karadan, Siju John, Aji A. Anappara, Chandrabhas Narayana, Harish C. Barshilia, Evolution mechanism of mesoporous silicon nanopillars grown by metal-assisted chemical etching and nanosphere lithography: correlation of Raman spectra and red photoluminescence, Applied Physics A: Materials Science and Processing, 669, 122-132 (2016)

    16. Julin Joseph, Aji A. Anappara, White light emission of carbon dots by creating different emissive traps, Journal of Luminescence, 178, 128-133 (2016)

    15. Prajith Karadan, Aji A. Anappara, V.H.S. Moorthy, Chandrabhas Narayana, and Harish C. Barshilia, Improved broadband and omnidirectional light absorption in silicon nanopillars achieved through gradient mesoporosity induced leaky waveguide modulation, RSC Advances,  6, 109157-109167 (2016)

    14. A. Simimol, Aji A. Anappara, S. Greulich-Weber, Prasantha Chowdhury and Harish C. Barshilia, Enhanced room temperature ferromagnetism in electodeposited co-doped ZnO nanostructured thin film by controlling the oxygen vacancy defects, Journal of Applied Physics, 117, 214310 (2015)

    13. A. Simimol, N. T. Manikandanath, Aji A. Anappara, Prasantha Chowdhury, and Harish C. Barshilia, Tuning of deep level emission in highly oriented electrodeposited ZnO nanorods by post growth annealing treatments, Journal Applied Physics, 116, 074309 (2014)

    12. R. Huber, Aji A. Anappara, G. Gunter, A. Sell, S. De Liberato, C. Ciuti, G. Biasiol, L. Sorba, A. Tredicucci, and A. Leitenstrorfer, Switching ultrastrong light-matter coupling on a subcycle scale, Journal Applied Physics, 109, 102418 (2011)

    11. Aji A. Anappara, Simone De Liberato, Alessandro Tredicucci, Cristiano Ciuti, Giorgio Biasiol, Lucia Sorba, and Fabio Beltram, Signatures of ultrastrong light-matter coupling regime, Phys. Rev. B 79, 201303(R) (2009)

    10. G. Gunter, Aji A. Anappara, J. Hees, A. Sell, G. Biasiol, L. Sorba, S. De Liberato, C. Ciuti, A. Tredicucci, A. Leitenstrorfer and R. Huber, Sub-cycle switch-on of ultrastrong light-matter interaction, Nature, 458, 178-181 (2009)

    9. Sajan D. George, Aji A. Anappara, P.R.S. Warrier, K.G.K. Warrier, P. Radhakrishnan, V.P.N. Namboori, Photoacoustic thermal characterization of Al2O3-Ag ceramic nanocomposites, Materials Chemistry and Physics, 111, 38-41 (2008)

    8.  Aji A. Anappara, Alessandro Tredicucci, Fabio Beltram, Lucia Sorba, Giorgio Biasiol, Tailoring light-matter interaction in intersubband microcavities, Physica E; Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures, 40, 1906-1908 (2008)

    7.  Aji A. Anappara, Alessandro Tredicucci, Fabio Beltram, Lucia Sorba, Giorgio Biasiol, Cavity polaritons from excited subband transitions, Applied Physics Letters, 91, 231118-231122 (2007)

    6.  Aji A. Anappara, Alessandro Tredicucci, Fabio Beltram, Giorgio Biasiol, Lucia Sorba, Controlling polariton coupling in intersubband microcavities, Superlattices and Microstructures, 41, 308-312 (2007)

    5.  Aji A. Anappara, David Barate, Alessandro Tredicucci, Jan Devenson, Roland Teissier, Alexei Baranov, Giant intersubband polariton splitting in InAs/AlSb microcavities, Solid State Communications, 142, 311-313 (2007)

    4.  Aji A. Anappara,  Alessandro Tredicucci, Fabio Beltram, Giorgio Biasiol and Lucia Sorba, Tunnel-assisted manipulation of intersubband polaritons in asymmetric coupled quantum wells, Applied Physics Letters, 89, 171109 (2006)

    3.  Aji A. Anappara,  Alessandro Tredicucci, Fabio Beltram, Giorgio Biasiol and Lucia Sorba, Electrical control of polariton coupling in intersubband microcavities, Applied Physics Letters, 87, 051105 (2005)

    2.  Aji A. Anappara,  S. Rajeshkumar, M. Mukundan, P.R.S. Warrier, Swapan Kumar Ghosh, K.G.K. Warrier, Impedance spectroscopic studies of sol-gel derived sub-critically dried silica aerogels, Acta Materialia, 52, 369-375 (2004)

    1.  Aji A. Anappara,  S. K. Ghosh, P.R.S. Warrier, K.G.K. Warrier, W. Wunderlich, Impedance spectral studies of sol-gel alumina-silver nanocomposites, Acta Materialia, 51, 3511-3519 (2003)

    Theory Courses:

    - Solid State Devices (PH4029D)

    - Light-matter interaction in resonators (PH4025D)

    - Laser Physics (PH4001D)

    - Physics of Materials (PH1001D)

    Lab Courses:

    - General Physics Lab 

    -Solid State Physics Lab 

    Postdoctoral/Ph.D. positions: 

    Highly motivated and talented postdoctoral/doctoral aspirants, please contact aji[at]nitc.ac.in

     

    B.Tech./M.Tech./M.Sc. projects:

    Interested students from NITC can contact the group leader to discuss the possible project topics

    Aji A. Anappara completed his Ph.D. in the group of Prof. Dr. Alessandro Tredicucci, at the NEST (National Enterprise for nanoScience and nanoTechnology) center of Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy. After his doctoral studies, he was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, to work with Prof. Dr. Alfred Leitenstrorfer and Prof. Dr. Rupert Huber, at the University of Konstanz, Germany. 

    He joined the Department of Physics, NIT Calicut in November 2010 as an Assistant Professor. Currently, Dr. Aji is a Professor in the Department of Physics.