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imported>Sritama Mukherjee |
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| awards = [[Padma Shri]] (2020), [[Nikkei Asia Prize]] (2020), [[TWAS Prize]] (2018), [[Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology|Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize]] (2008) | | awards = [[Vishwakarma Medal]] (2021), [[Padma Shri]] (2020), [[Nikkei Asia Prize]] (2020), [[TWAS Prize]] (2018), [[Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology|Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize]] (2008) | ||
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== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
Pradeep was born on July 8, 1963, at Panthavoor, Kerala, India, to (late) Thalappil Narayanan Nair and Pulakkat Panampattavalappil | Pradeep was born on July 8, 1963, at Panthavoor, Kerala, India, to (late) Thalappil Narayanan Nair and Pulakkat Panampattavalappil Kunjilakshmi Amma. Both his parents were school teachers. His father was a writer too, with the pen name N. N. Thalappil, who authored 14 books in Malayalam. | ||
Pradeep was educated in government schools all through. From 5th to 10th, he was educated at the Govt. High School, Mookkuthala where his father taught [[Malayalam]] and mother taught [[social studies]]. The school was built by Shri. Pakaravoor Chitran Namboothiripad, who donated it to the Government at a token price of Rs. 1. Most of the days he walked the 4 km trip to the school, as most of his classmates. Later, he was educated at the MES College, Ponnani for his Pre Degree, [[St. Thomas College, Thrissur|St. Thomas College]], Thrissur for his BSc and [[Farook College]], Kozhikode for his MSc, all under [[Calicut University]]. | Pradeep was educated in government schools all through. From 5th to 10th, he was educated at the Govt. High School, Mookkuthala where his father taught [[Malayalam]] and mother taught [[social studies]]. The school was built by Shri. Pakaravoor Chitran Namboothiripad, who donated it to the Government at a token price of Rs. 1. Most of the days he walked the 4 km trip to the school, as most of his classmates. Later, he was educated at the MES College, Ponnani for his Pre Degree, [[St. Thomas College, Thrissur|St. Thomas College]], Thrissur for his BSc and [[Farook College]], Kozhikode for his MSc, all under [[Calicut University]]. | ||
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== Current research and research group == | == Current research and research group == | ||
Pradeep's work is in the area of molecular materials and surfaces. The materials and phenomena he discovered have implications to clean environment, affordable clean water and ultrasensitive devices. Some of his discoveries have been translated to viable products and several of his recent findings<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |doi=10.1073/pnas.1220222110|pmid=23650396|pmc=3666696|title=Biopolymer-reinforced synthetic granular nanocomposites for affordable point-of-use water purification|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|volume=110|issue=21|pages=8459–8464|year=2013|last1=Sankar|first1=M. U.|last2=Aigal|first2=S.|last3=Maliyekkal|first3=S. M.|last4=Chaudhary|first4=A.|last5=Anshup|last6=Kumar|first6=A. A.|last7=Chaudhari|first7=K.|last8=Pradeep|first8=T.|bibcode=2013PNAS..110.8459S}}</ref> have immense scope for the benefit of the world at large and developing world in particular. Along with such studies, he pursued fundamental problems of relevance to the science of ice surfaces.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1146/annurev-anchem-062012-092547|pmid=23495731|title=Probing Molecular Solids with Low-Energy Ions|journal=Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry|volume=6|pages=97–118|year=2013|last1=Bag|first1=Soumabha|last2=Bhuin|first2=Radha Gobinda|last3=Natarajan|first3=Ganapati|last4=Pradeep|first4=T.|bibcode=2013ARAC....6...97B|citeseerx=10.1.1.401.6033}}</ref> For studies of ultrathin surfaces of molecular solids such as ices, he developed unique instrumentation,<ref name="semanticscholar">{{cite journal |doi=10.1063/1.4848895|pmid=24517785|title=Development of ultralow energy (1–10 eV) ion scattering spectrometry coupled with reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption for the investigation of molecular solids|journal=Review of Scientific Instruments|volume=85|issue=1|pages=014103|year=2014|last1=Bag|first1=Soumabha|last2=Bhuin|first2=Radha Gobinda|last3=Methikkalam|first3=Rabin Rajan J.|last4=Pradeep|first4=T.|last5=Kephart|first5=Luke|last6=Walker|first6=Jeff|last7=Kuchta|first7=Kevin|last8=Martin|first8=Dave|last9=Wei|first9=Jian|bibcode=2014RScI...85a4103B|s2cid=13889498|url=https://semanticscholar.org/paper/294148259d57168c7112c624c5677fc533fa091c}}</ref> an important aspect of his research. | Pradeep's work is in the area of molecular materials and surfaces. The materials and phenomena he discovered have implications to clean environment, affordable clean water and ultrasensitive devices. Some of his discoveries have been translated to viable products and several of his recent findings<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |doi=10.1073/pnas.1220222110|pmid=23650396|pmc=3666696|title=Biopolymer-reinforced synthetic granular nanocomposites for affordable point-of-use water purification|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|volume=110|issue=21|pages=8459–8464|year=2013|last1=Sankar|first1=M. U.|last2=Aigal|first2=S.|last3=Maliyekkal|first3=S. M.|last4=Chaudhary|first4=A.|last5=Anshup|last6=Kumar|first6=A. A.|last7=Chaudhari|first7=K.|last8=Pradeep|first8=T.|bibcode=2013PNAS..110.8459S|doi-access=free}}</ref> have immense scope for the benefit of the world at large and developing world in particular. Along with such studies, he pursued fundamental problems of relevance to the science of ice surfaces.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1146/annurev-anchem-062012-092547|pmid=23495731|title=Probing Molecular Solids with Low-Energy Ions|journal=Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry|volume=6|pages=97–118|year=2013|last1=Bag|first1=Soumabha|last2=Bhuin|first2=Radha Gobinda|last3=Natarajan|first3=Ganapati|last4=Pradeep|first4=T.|bibcode=2013ARAC....6...97B|citeseerx=10.1.1.401.6033}}</ref> For studies of ultrathin surfaces of molecular solids such as ices, he developed unique instrumentation,<ref name="semanticscholar">{{cite journal |doi=10.1063/1.4848895|pmid=24517785|title=Development of ultralow energy (1–10 eV) ion scattering spectrometry coupled with reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption for the investigation of molecular solids|journal=Review of Scientific Instruments|volume=85|issue=1|pages=014103|year=2014|last1=Bag|first1=Soumabha|last2=Bhuin|first2=Radha Gobinda|last3=Methikkalam|first3=Rabin Rajan J.|last4=Pradeep|first4=T.|last5=Kephart|first5=Luke|last6=Walker|first6=Jeff|last7=Kuchta|first7=Kevin|last8=Martin|first8=Dave|last9=Wei|first9=Jian|bibcode=2014RScI...85a4103B|s2cid=13889498|url=https://semanticscholar.org/paper/294148259d57168c7112c624c5677fc533fa091c}}</ref> an important aspect of his research. | ||
Pradeep discovered several atomically precise clusters or nano molecules of noble metals. These are molecules composed of a few atom cores, protected with [[ligand]]s, especially thiols which are fundamentally different from their bulk and plasmonic analogues in terms of their optical, electronic, and structural properties. Such clusters show distinct absorption spectra and well-defined luminescence, mostly in the visible and near-infrared regions, just as molecules. He introduced several new synthetic approaches to make new clusters (a summary of the methods is presented in reference<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/jz400332g|pmid=26282314|title=New Protocols for the Synthesis of Stable Ag and Au Nanocluster Molecules|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters|volume=4|issue=9|pages=1553–1564|year=2013|last1=Udayabhaskararao|first1=T.|last2=Pradeep|first2=T.}}</ref>), showed some of the very first examples of chemistry with such materials and developed applications with them. Most recent of these examples is the introduction of inter-cluster reactions between clusters,<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/jacs.5b09401|pmid=26677722|title=Intercluster Reactions between Au25(SR)18 and Ag44(SR)30|journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society|volume=138|issue=1|pages=140–148|year=2016|last1=Krishnadas|first1=K. R.|last2=Ghosh|first2=Atanu|last3=Baksi|first3=Ananya|last4=Chakraborty|first4=Indranath|last5=Natarajan|first5=Ganapati|last6=Pradeep|first6=Thalappil}}</ref> which demonstrate that nanoparticles behave like simple molecules and stoichiometric reactions of the type, A + B → C + D, can be written for these processes, where A, B, C and D are nanoparticles. To describe the structure and properties of such clusters, his group has introduced a system of nomenclature for such systems in general.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b08193|title=A Unified Framework for Understanding the Structure and Modifications of Atomically Precise Monolayer Protected Gold Clusters|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry C|volume=119|issue=49|pages=27768–27785|year=2015|last1=Natarajan|first1=Ganapati|last2=Mathew|first2=Ammu|last3=Negishi|first3=Yuichi|last4=Whetten|first4=Robert L.|last5=Pradeep|first5=Thalappil}}</ref> This kind of chemistry performed with isotopically pure nanoparticles of the same metal has shown that metal atoms in nanoparticles undergo rapid exchange in solution as in the case of water.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chakraborty |first1=Papri |last2=Nag |first2=Abhijit |last3=Natarajan |first3=Ganapati |last4=Bandyopadhyay |first4=Nayanika |last5=Paramasivam |first5=Ganesan |last6=Panwar |first6=Manoj Kumar |last7=Chakrabarti |first7=Jaydeb |last8=Pradeep |first8=Thalappil |title=Rapid isotopic exchange in nanoparticles |journal=Science Advances |date=2018 |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=eaau7555 |doi=10.1126/sciadv.aau7555|pmid=30613775 |pmc=6314871 |doi-access=free }}</ref> | Pradeep discovered several atomically precise clusters or nano molecules of noble metals. These are molecules composed of a few atom cores, protected with [[ligand]]s, especially thiols which are fundamentally different from their bulk and plasmonic analogues in terms of their optical, electronic, and structural properties. Such clusters show distinct absorption spectra and well-defined luminescence, mostly in the visible and near-infrared regions, just as molecules. He introduced several new synthetic approaches to make new clusters (a summary of the methods is presented in reference<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/jz400332g|pmid=26282314|title=New Protocols for the Synthesis of Stable Ag and Au Nanocluster Molecules|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters|volume=4|issue=9|pages=1553–1564|year=2013|last1=Udayabhaskararao|first1=T.|last2=Pradeep|first2=T.}}</ref>), showed some of the very first examples of chemistry with such materials and developed applications with them. Most recent of these examples is the introduction of inter-cluster reactions between clusters,<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/jacs.5b09401|pmid=26677722|title=Intercluster Reactions between Au25(SR)18 and Ag44(SR)30|journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society|volume=138|issue=1|pages=140–148|year=2016|last1=Krishnadas|first1=K. R.|last2=Ghosh|first2=Atanu|last3=Baksi|first3=Ananya|last4=Chakraborty|first4=Indranath|last5=Natarajan|first5=Ganapati|last6=Pradeep|first6=Thalappil}}</ref> which demonstrate that nanoparticles behave like simple molecules and stoichiometric reactions of the type, A + B → C + D, can be written for these processes, where A, B, C and D are nanoparticles. To describe the structure and properties of such clusters, his group has introduced a system of nomenclature for such systems in general.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b08193|title=A Unified Framework for Understanding the Structure and Modifications of Atomically Precise Monolayer Protected Gold Clusters|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry C|volume=119|issue=49|pages=27768–27785|year=2015|last1=Natarajan|first1=Ganapati|last2=Mathew|first2=Ammu|last3=Negishi|first3=Yuichi|last4=Whetten|first4=Robert L.|last5=Pradeep|first5=Thalappil}}</ref> This kind of chemistry performed with isotopically pure nanoparticles of the same metal has shown that metal atoms in nanoparticles undergo rapid exchange in solution as in the case of water.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chakraborty |first1=Papri |last2=Nag |first2=Abhijit |last3=Natarajan |first3=Ganapati |last4=Bandyopadhyay |first4=Nayanika |last5=Paramasivam |first5=Ganesan |last6=Panwar |first6=Manoj Kumar |last7=Chakrabarti |first7=Jaydeb |last8=Pradeep |first8=Thalappil |title=Rapid isotopic exchange in nanoparticles |journal=Science Advances |date=2018 |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=eaau7555 |doi=10.1126/sciadv.aau7555|pmid=30613775 |pmc=6314871 |doi-access=free }}</ref> | ||
The important atomically precise clusters he discovered are: Ag<sub>7/8</sub>,<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/anie.200907120|pmid=20408149|title=Luminescent Ag7 and Ag8 Clusters by Interfacial Synthesis|journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition|volume=49|issue=23|pages=3925–3929|year=2010|last1=Udaya Bhaskara Rao|first1=T.|last2=Pradeep|first2=T.}}</ref> Ag<sub>9</sub>,<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/ja105495n|pmid=21033703|title=Ag9Quantum Cluster through a Solid-State Route|journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society|volume=132|issue=46|pages=16304–16307|year=2010|last1=Rao|first1=Thumu Udaya B.|last2=Nataraju|first2=Bodappa|last3=Pradeep|first3=Thalappil}}</ref> Au<sub>23</sub>,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Madathumpady|first=Abubaker Habeeb Muhammed|date=28 September 2009|title=Bright, NIR-Emitting Au23 from Au25: Characterization and Applications Including Biolabeling|journal= | The important atomically precise clusters he discovered are: Ag<sub>7/8</sub>,<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/anie.200907120|pmid=20408149|title=Luminescent Ag7 and Ag8 Clusters by Interfacial Synthesis|journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition|volume=49|issue=23|pages=3925–3929|year=2010|last1=Udaya Bhaskara Rao|first1=T.|last2=Pradeep|first2=T.}}</ref> Ag<sub>9</sub>,<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/ja105495n|pmid=21033703|title=Ag9Quantum Cluster through a Solid-State Route|journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society|volume=132|issue=46|pages=16304–16307|year=2010|last1=Rao|first1=Thumu Udaya B.|last2=Nataraju|first2=Bodappa|last3=Pradeep|first3=Thalappil}}</ref> Au<sub>23</sub>,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Madathumpady|first=Abubaker Habeeb Muhammed|date=28 September 2009|title=Bright, NIR-Emitting Au23 from Au25: Characterization and Applications Including Biolabeling|journal=Chemistry: A European Journal|volume=15|issue=39|pages=10110–10120|doi=10.1002/chem.200901425|pmid=19711391}}</ref> Ag<sub>152</sub><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/nl303220x|pmid=23094944|title=The Superstable 25 k ''Da'' Monolayer Protected Silver Nanoparticle: Measurements and Interpretation as an Icosahedral Ag152(SCH2CH2Ph)60 Cluster|journal=Nano Letters|volume=12|issue=11|pages=5861–5866|year=2012|last1=Chakraborty|first1=Indranath|last2=Govindarajan|first2=Anuradha|last3=Erusappan|first3=Jayanthi|last4=Ghosh|first4=Atanu|last5=Pradeep|first5=T.|last6=Yoon|first6=Bokwon|last7=Whetten|first7=Robert L.|last8=Landman|first8=Uzi|bibcode=2012NanoL..12.5861C}}</ref> and the smallest molecular alloy, Ag<sub>7</sub>Au<sub>6</sub>.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/anie.201107696|pmid=22266783|title=Ag7Au6: A 13-Atom Alloy Quantum Cluster|journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition|volume=51|issue=9|pages=2155–2159|year=2012|last1=Udayabhaskararao|first1=Thumu|last2=Sun|first2=Yan|last3=Goswami|first3=Nirmal|last4=Pal|first4=Samir K.|last5=Balasubramanian|first5=K.|last6=Pradeep|first6=Thalappil}}</ref> He created methods to form highly uniform nanotriangles<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/adma.200701790|title=Electric-Field-Assisted Growth of Highly Uniform and Oriented Gold Nanotriangles on Conducting Glass Substrates|journal=Advanced Materials|volume=20|issue=5|pages=980–983|year=2008|last1=Sajanlal|first1=P. R.|last2=Pradeep|first2=T.|s2cid=135859392}}</ref> and introduced a new family of materials called mesoflowers.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Panikkanvalappil Ravindranathan|first=Sajanlal|date=17 April 2009|title=Mesoflowers: A New Class of Highly Efficient Surface-Enhanced Raman Active and Infrared-Absorbing Materials|journal=Nano Research|volume=2|issue=4|pages=306–320|doi=10.1007/s12274-009-9028-5|doi-access=free}}</ref> Combining luminescent atomically precise clusters with mesoflowers and [[Nanofiber|nanofibres]], he developed sensors at sub-zeptomole levels<ref name=":4">{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/anie.201203810|pmid=22915324|title=Selective Visual Detection of TNT at the Sub-Zeptomole Level|journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition|volume=51|issue=38|pages=9596–9600|year=2012|last1=Mathew|first1=Ammu|last2=Sajanlal|first2=P. R.|last3=Pradeep|first3=Thalappil}}</ref> which are probably the limits of fast molecular detection. A single mesoflower has been shown to detect nine molecules of [[trinitrotoluene]] (TNT). A recent example of this chemistry is the detection of 80 ions of Hg<sup>2+</sup> with single nanofibers.<ref name=":5">{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/ac502779r|pmid=25335640|title=Approaching Sensitivity of Tens of Ions Using Atomically Precise Cluster–Nanofiber Composites|journal=Analytical Chemistry|volume=86|issue=22|pages=10996–11001|year=2014|last1=Ghosh|first1=Atanu|last2=Jeseentharani|first2=Vedhakkani|last3=Ganayee|first3=Mohd Azhardin|last4=Hemalatha|first4=Rani Gopalakrishnan|last5=Chaudhari|first5=Kamalesh|last6=Vijayan|first6=Cherianath|last7=Pradeep|first7=Thalappil}}</ref> A number of atomically precise luminescent clusters have been made in proteins and their growth involves inter-protein metal transfer.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/nn202901a|pmid=22010989|title=Understanding the Evolution of Luminescent Gold Quantum Clusters in Protein Templates|journal=ACS Nano|volume=5|issue=11|pages=8816–8827|year=2011|last1=Chaudhari|first1=Kamalesh|last2=Xavier|first2=Paulrajpillai Lourdu|last3=Pradeep|first3=Thalappil|url=https://figshare.com/articles/Understanding_the_Evolution_of_Luminescent_Gold_Quantum_Clusters_in_Protein_Templates/2581174}}</ref> These clusters were shown to be excellent biolabels.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/chem.201000841|pmid=20623564|title=Luminescent Quantum Clusters of Gold in Bulk by Albumin-Induced Core Etching of Nanoparticles: Metal Ion Sensing, Metal-Enhanced Luminescence, and Biolabeling|journal=Chemistry - A European Journal|volume=16|issue=33|pages=10103–10112|year=2010|last1=Habeeb Muhammed|first1=Madathumpady Abubaker|last2=Verma|first2=Pramod Kumar|last3=Pal|first3=Samir Kumar|last4=Retnakumari|first4=Archana|last5=Koyakutty|first5=Manzoor|last6=Nair|first6=Shantikumar|last7=Pradeep|first7=Thalappil}}</ref> Early examples of cluster functionalisation<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/jp800508d|title=Ligand Exchange of Au25SG18 Leading to Functionalized Gold Clusters: Spectroscopy, Kinetics, and Luminescence|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry C|volume=112|issue=32|pages=12168–12176|year=2008|last1=Shibu|first1=E. S.|last2=Muhammed|first2=M. A. Habeeb|last3=Tsukuda|first3=T.|last4=Pradeep|first4=T.}}</ref> were demonstrated by him and the methods he introduced are shown to impart properties such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer to such systems<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Muhammed|first=M. A. Habeeb|date=25 June 2008|title=Quantum Clusters of Gold Exhibiting FRET|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry C|volume=112|issue=37|pages=14324–14330|doi=10.1021/jp804597r|citeseerx=10.1.1.401.5986}}</ref> and these methodologies are now used for applications. Cluster functionalisation chemistry has recently been extended to make isomers of nanomolecules and these have been isolated in collaboration with Japanese scientists.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/ja4009369|pmid=23496002|title=Separation of Precise Compositions of Noble Metal Clusters Protected with Mixed Ligands|journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society|volume=135|issue=13|pages=4946–4949|year=2013|last1=Niihori|first1=Yoshiki|last2=Matsuzaki|first2=Miku|last3=Pradeep|first3=Thalappil|last4=Negishi|first4=Yuichi|url=https://figshare.com/articles/Separation_of_Precise_Compositions_of_Noble_Metal_Clusters_Protected_with_Mixed_Ligands/2428915}}</ref> He has recently demonstrated supramolecular functionalisation of clusters.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/nn406219x|pmid=24313537|title=Supramolecular Functionalization and Concomitant Enhancement in Properties of Au25 Clusters|journal=ACS Nano|volume=8|issue=1|pages=139–152|year=2014|last1=Mathew|first1=Ammu|last2=Natarajan|first2=Ganapati|last3=Lehtovaara|first3=Lauri|last4=Häkkinen|first4=Hannu|last5=Kumar|first5=Ravva Mahesh|last6=Subramanian|first6=Venkatesan|last7=Jaleel|first7=Abdul|last8=Pradeep|first8=Thalappil}}</ref> Such clusters help assemble 1D nanostructures, leading to precise 3D structures.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/adma.201505775|pmid=26861890|title=Cluster-Mediated Crossed Bilayer Precision Assemblies of 1D Nanowires|journal=Advanced Materials|volume=28|issue=14|pages=2827–2833|year=2016|last1=Som|first1=Anirban|last2=Chakraborty|first2=Indranath|last3=Maark|first3=Tuhina Adit|last4=Bhat|first4=Shridevi|last5=Pradeep|first5=Thalappil|s2cid=35870553}}</ref> | ||
Simple methods of synthesis and analysis have been some of the focal themes of his research. In a recent work, molecular ionization was demonstrated at 1 V from a carbon nanotubes-impregnated paper.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/anie.201311053|pmid=24643979|title=Molecular Ionization from Carbon Nanotube Paper|journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition|volume=53|issue=23|pages=5936–5940|year=2014|last1=Narayanan|first1=Rahul|last2=Sarkar|first2=Depanjan|last3=Cooks|first3=R. Graham|last4=Pradeep|first4=Thalappil}}</ref> This methodology was used to collect high quality mass spectra of diverse analytes. Besides the advantage of low internal energy of the ions, which preserves fragile species and intermediates, the methodology helps in miniaturising mass spectrometry. Ion-based chemistry is now used to synthesise structures such as metal grasslands, extending over cm<sup>2</sup> areas.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/adma.201505127|pmid=26790107|title=Metallic Nanobrushes Made using Ambient Droplet Sprays|journal=Advanced Materials|volume=28|issue=11|pages=2223–2228|year=2016|last1=Sarkar|first1=Depanjan|last2=Mahitha|first2=Maheswari Kavirajan|last3=Som|first3=Anirban|last4=Li|first4=Anyin|last5=Wleklinski|first5=Michael|last6=Cooks|first6=Robert Graham|last7=Pradeep|first7=Thalappil}}</ref> | Simple methods of synthesis and analysis have been some of the focal themes of his research. In a recent work, molecular ionization was demonstrated at 1 V from a carbon nanotubes-impregnated paper.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/anie.201311053|pmid=24643979|title=Molecular Ionization from Carbon Nanotube Paper|journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition|volume=53|issue=23|pages=5936–5940|year=2014|last1=Narayanan|first1=Rahul|last2=Sarkar|first2=Depanjan|last3=Cooks|first3=R. Graham|last4=Pradeep|first4=Thalappil}}</ref> This methodology was used to collect high quality mass spectra of diverse analytes. Besides the advantage of low internal energy of the ions, which preserves fragile species and intermediates, the methodology helps in miniaturising mass spectrometry. Ion-based chemistry is now used to synthesise structures such as metal grasslands, extending over cm<sup>2</sup> areas.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/adma.201505127|pmid=26790107|title=Metallic Nanobrushes Made using Ambient Droplet Sprays|journal=Advanced Materials|volume=28|issue=11|pages=2223–2228|year=2016|last1=Sarkar|first1=Depanjan|last2=Mahitha|first2=Maheswari Kavirajan|last3=Som|first3=Anirban|last4=Li|first4=Anyin|last5=Wleklinski|first5=Michael|last6=Cooks|first6=Robert Graham|last7=Pradeep|first7=Thalappil|s2cid=2132664}}</ref> | ||
He discovered noble metal nanoparticle-based drinking water purification methods<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nair|first=A. Sreekumaran|date=25 June 2003|title=Halocarbon mineralization and catalytic destruction by metal nanoparticles|journal=Current Science|volume=84|issue=12|pages=1560–1564|jstor=24108263}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1166/jnn.2007.733|pmid=17654957|title=Extraction of Chlorpyrifos and Malathion from Water by Metal Nanoparticles|journal=Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology|volume=7|issue=6|pages=1871–1877|year=2007|last1=Nair|first1=A. Sreekumaran|last2=Pradeep|first2=T.|citeseerx=10.1.1.401.6612}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nair|first=A. Sreekumaran|date=7 February 2003|title=Detection and extraction of endosulfan by metal nanoparticles|journal=Journal of Environmental Monitoring|volume=5|issue=2|pages=363–365|doi=10.1039/b300107e|pmid=12729283}}</ref> and developed the world's first drinking water filters utilising nanochemistry. The chemistry he developed was reductive dehalogenation of halocarbons at noble metal nanoparticle surfaces which when applied to several of the common pesticides present in surface waters of India, resulted in their degradation at room temperature and extremely low concentrations, of the order of parts per billion. The process when occurs on supported nanoparticles, trace concentrations of halocarbon pesticides can be removed from a flowing water stream. Water purifiers based on this technology have been introduced in the market since 2007. As a result of this innovation, many activities have started in India and elsewhere and we are now certain of the impact of nanomaterials in clean water.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|title=Noble metal nanoparticles for water purification: A critical review, T. Pradeep and Anshup, Invited critical review|journal=Thin Solid Films|volume=517|issue=24|pages=6441–6478|date=30 October 2009|doi=10.1016/j.tsf.2009.03.195 | last1 = Pradeep | first1 = T.}}</ref> About 1.5 million of these filters have been sold in the market till 2016. IIT Madras received over Rs. 230 lakhs in royalties from this finding, the first of its kind in the Indian university system, in terms of royalty earnings and reach from a single patent. | He discovered noble metal nanoparticle-based drinking water purification methods<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nair|first=A. Sreekumaran|date=25 June 2003|title=Halocarbon mineralization and catalytic destruction by metal nanoparticles|journal=Current Science|volume=84|issue=12|pages=1560–1564|jstor=24108263}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1166/jnn.2007.733|pmid=17654957|title=Extraction of Chlorpyrifos and Malathion from Water by Metal Nanoparticles|journal=Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology|volume=7|issue=6|pages=1871–1877|year=2007|last1=Nair|first1=A. Sreekumaran|last2=Pradeep|first2=T.|citeseerx=10.1.1.401.6612}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nair|first=A. Sreekumaran|date=7 February 2003|title=Detection and extraction of endosulfan by metal nanoparticles|journal=Journal of Environmental Monitoring|volume=5|issue=2|pages=363–365|doi=10.1039/b300107e|pmid=12729283}}</ref> and developed the world's first drinking water filters utilising nanochemistry. The chemistry he developed was reductive dehalogenation of halocarbons at noble metal nanoparticle surfaces which when applied to several of the common pesticides present in surface waters of India, resulted in their degradation at room temperature and extremely low concentrations, of the order of parts per billion. The process when occurs on supported nanoparticles, trace concentrations of halocarbon pesticides can be removed from a flowing water stream. Water purifiers based on this technology have been introduced in the market since 2007. As a result of this innovation, many activities have started in India and elsewhere and we are now certain of the impact of nanomaterials in clean water.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|title=Noble metal nanoparticles for water purification: A critical review, T. Pradeep and Anshup, Invited critical review|journal=Thin Solid Films|volume=517|issue=24|pages=6441–6478|date=30 October 2009|doi=10.1016/j.tsf.2009.03.195 | last1 = Pradeep | first1 = T.}}</ref> About 1.5 million of these filters have been sold in the market till 2016. IIT Madras received over Rs. 230 lakhs in royalties from this finding, the first of its kind in the Indian university system, in terms of royalty earnings and reach from a single patent. | ||
He developed several new technologies in the recent past to tackle various other contaminants such as arsenic, lead, mercury and organics in water, which are the subject of a few issued and filed [[patent]]s. Such capabilities to bring contaminant concentrations under drinking water norms using diverse nanomaterials, feasible synthesis of such materials in quantities, creation of viable processes for their implementation along with the use of efficient sensors would make clean drinking water affordable using nanomaterials.<ref name="clean nano">{{cite journal |last1=Nagar |first1=Ankit |last2=Pradeep |first2=Thalappil |title=Clean water through nanotechnology: Needs, Gaps, and Fulfillment |journal=ACS Nano |date=2020 |volume=14 |issue=6 |pages=6420–6435 |doi=10.1021/acsnano.9b01730|pmid=32433866 |doi-access=free }}</ref> A critical problem in achieving this goal is the development of advanced and affordable materials with no or reduced environmental impact. Some of the materials and technologies he has developed over the years have been combined to make affordable all-inclusive point-of-use drinking water purifiers,<ref name=":2" /> which are being installed in various parts of the country, both as a community and as domestic units. These advanced sand-like composites are made in the water at room temperature, with no environmental cost.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Sritama |last2=Kumar |first2=Avula Anil |last3=Sudhakar |first3=Chennu |last4=Kumar |first4=Ramesh |last5=Ahuja |first5=Tripti |last6=Mondal |first6=Biswajit |last7=Pillalamarri |first7=Srikrishnarka |last8=Philip |first8=Ligy |last9=Pradeep |first9=Thalappil |title=Sustainable and affordable composites built using microstructures performing better than nanostructures for arsenic removal |journal=ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. |date=2018 |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=3222–3233 |doi=10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b05157}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Sritama |last2=Ramireddy |first2=Haritha |last3=Baidya |first3=Avijit |last4=Amala |first4=A. K. |last5=Sudhakar |first5=Chennu |last6=Mondal |first6=Biswajit |last7=Philip |first7=Ligy |last8=Pradeep |first8=Thalappil |title=Nanocellulose reinforced organo-inorganic nanocomposite for synergistic and affordable defluoridation of water and an evaluation of its sustainability metrics |journal=ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. |date=2020 |volume=8 |pages=139–147 |doi=10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b04822}}</ref> Gravity-fed water solutions using such materials without the use of electricity can make sustainable access to safe drinking water a reality. | He developed several new technologies in the recent past to tackle various other contaminants such as arsenic, lead, mercury and organics in water, which are the subject of a few issued and filed [[patent]]s. Such capabilities to bring contaminant concentrations under drinking water norms using diverse nanomaterials, feasible synthesis of such materials in quantities, creation of viable processes for their implementation along with the use of efficient sensors would make clean drinking water affordable using nanomaterials.<ref name="clean nano">{{cite journal |last1=Nagar |first1=Ankit |last2=Pradeep |first2=Thalappil |title=Clean water through nanotechnology: Needs, Gaps, and Fulfillment |journal=ACS Nano |date=2020 |volume=14 |issue=6 |pages=6420–6435 |doi=10.1021/acsnano.9b01730|pmid=32433866 |doi-access=free }}</ref> A critical problem in achieving this goal is the development of advanced and affordable materials with no or reduced environmental impact. Some of the materials and technologies he has developed over the years have been combined to make affordable all-inclusive point-of-use drinking water purifiers,<ref name=":2" /> which are being installed in various parts of the country, both as a community and as domestic units. These advanced sand-like composites are made in the water at room temperature, with no environmental cost.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Sritama |last2=Kumar |first2=Avula Anil |last3=Sudhakar |first3=Chennu |last4=Kumar |first4=Ramesh |last5=Ahuja |first5=Tripti |last6=Mondal |first6=Biswajit |last7=Pillalamarri |first7=Srikrishnarka |last8=Philip |first8=Ligy |last9=Pradeep |first9=Thalappil |title=Sustainable and affordable composites built using microstructures performing better than nanostructures for arsenic removal |journal=ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. |date=2018 |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=3222–3233 |doi=10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b05157|s2cid=104350518 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Sritama |last2=Ramireddy |first2=Haritha |last3=Baidya |first3=Avijit |last4=Amala |first4=A. K. |last5=Sudhakar |first5=Chennu |last6=Mondal |first6=Biswajit |last7=Philip |first7=Ligy |last8=Pradeep |first8=Thalappil |title=Nanocellulose reinforced organo-inorganic nanocomposite for synergistic and affordable defluoridation of water and an evaluation of its sustainability metrics |journal=ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. |date=2020 |volume=8 |pages=139–147 |doi=10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b04822|s2cid=210712701 }}</ref> Gravity-fed water solutions using such materials without the use of electricity can make sustainable access to safe drinking water a reality. | ||
With all these developments, ‘nanomaterials for water purification’ is recognised as one of the major themes of research in the area. Pradeep has shown that completely home-grown nanotechnology, from lab to market is possible in India. His recent discovery of ultrasensitive single-particle sensors with the capacity to detect a few tens of molecules and ions<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> may be combined with new materials to make simultaneous sensing and scavenging at ultra-trace levels possible. The new materials he has developed have been put together to make community purifiers in arsenic affected areas of West Bengal which have been running for seven years. Arsenic-free water is now being delivered to about 10,00,000 people using these technologies. The technology has now been approved for national implementation. | With all these developments, ‘nanomaterials for water purification’ is recognised as one of the major themes of research in the area. Pradeep has shown that completely home-grown nanotechnology, from lab to market is possible in India. His recent discovery of ultrasensitive single-particle sensors with the capacity to detect a few tens of molecules and ions<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> may be combined with new materials to make simultaneous sensing and scavenging at ultra-trace levels possible. The new materials he has developed have been put together to make community purifiers in arsenic affected areas of West Bengal which have been running for seven years. Arsenic-free water is now being delivered to about 10,00,000 people using these technologies. The technology has now been approved for national implementation. | ||
He created 3D organised structures of nanoparticles called [[superlattice]]s<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kimura|first1=Keisaku|last2=Pradeep|first2=Thalappil|year=2011|title=Functional noble metal nanoparticle superlattices grown at interfaces|url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/cm8035136|journal=Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics|volume=13|issue=43|pages=19214–25|doi=10.1039/c1cp22279a|pmid=21989423|bibcode=2011PCCP...1319214K}}</ref> and used them for [[Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy|surface enhanced Raman imaging]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=E. S.|first=Shibu|date=31 July 2009|title=Gold Nanoparticle Superlattices: Novel Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Active Substrates|journal=Chemistry of Materials|volume=21|issue=16|pages=3773–3781|via=American Chemical Society|doi=10.1021/cm8035136}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Fluorescent gold nanoparticle superlattices |doi=10.1002/adma.200800632|volume=20|issue = 24|journal=Advanced Materials|pages=4719–4723|year = 2008|last1 = Nishida|first1 = Naoki|last2 = Shibu|first2 = Edakkattuparambil S.|last3 = Yao|first3 = Hiroshi|last4 = Oonishi|first4 = Tsugao|last5 = Kimura|first5 = Keisaku|last6 = Pradeep|first6 = Thalappil}}</ref> and specific gas sensing applications.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1039/c0nr00670j|pmid=21161103|title=Gold nanoparticle superlattices as functional solids for concomitant conductivity and SERS tuning|journal=Nanoscale|volume=3|issue=3|pages=1066–1072|year=2011|last1=Shibu|first1=Edakkattuparambil Sidharth|last2=Cyriac|first2=Jobin|last3=Pradeep|first3=Thalappil|last4=Chakrabarti|first4=J.|bibcode=2011Nanos...3.1066S}}</ref> | He created 3D organised structures of nanoparticles called [[superlattice]]s<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kimura|first1=Keisaku|last2=Pradeep|first2=Thalappil|year=2011|title=Functional noble metal nanoparticle superlattices grown at interfaces|url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/cm8035136|journal=Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics|volume=13|issue=43|pages=19214–25|doi=10.1039/c1cp22279a|pmid=21989423|bibcode=2011PCCP...1319214K}}</ref> and used them for [[Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy|surface enhanced Raman imaging]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=E. S.|first=Shibu|date=31 July 2009|title=Gold Nanoparticle Superlattices: Novel Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Active Substrates|journal=Chemistry of Materials|volume=21|issue=16|pages=3773–3781|via=American Chemical Society|doi=10.1021/cm8035136}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Fluorescent gold nanoparticle superlattices |doi=10.1002/adma.200800632|volume=20|issue = 24|journal=Advanced Materials|pages=4719–4723|year = 2008|last1 = Nishida|first1 = Naoki|last2 = Shibu|first2 = Edakkattuparambil S.|last3 = Yao|first3 = Hiroshi|last4 = Oonishi|first4 = Tsugao|last5 = Kimura|first5 = Keisaku|last6 = Pradeep|first6 = Thalappil|s2cid=136580441}}</ref> and specific gas sensing applications.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1039/c0nr00670j|pmid=21161103|title=Gold nanoparticle superlattices as functional solids for concomitant conductivity and SERS tuning|journal=Nanoscale|volume=3|issue=3|pages=1066–1072|year=2011|last1=Shibu|first1=Edakkattuparambil Sidharth|last2=Cyriac|first2=Jobin|last3=Pradeep|first3=Thalappil|last4=Chakrabarti|first4=J.|bibcode=2011Nanos...3.1066S}}</ref> | ||
In his earlier research, Pradeep discovered that binding of metallic nanoparticles on metallic carbon nanotube bundles made the latter semiconducting and consequently the nanoparticle-[[Nanotube|nanotube composite]] became [[Luminescence|luminescent]] in the [[Visible spectrum|visible region]].<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.167404|pmid=17995292|title=Visible Fluorescence Induced by the Metal Semiconductor Transition in Composites of Carbon Nanotubes with Noble Metal Nanoparticles|journal=Physical Review Letters|volume=99|issue=16|pages=167404|year=2007|last1=Subramaniam|first1=Chandramouli|last2=Sreeprasad|first2=T. S.|last3=Pradeep|first3=T.|last4=Pavan Kumar|first4=G. V.|last5=Narayana|first5=Chandrabhas|last6=Yajima|first6=T.|last7=Sugawara|first7=Y.|last8=Tanaka|first8=Hirofumi|last9=Ogawa|first9=Takuji|last10=Chakrabarti|first10=J.|bibcode=2007PhRvL..99p7404S|hdl=11094/2859|hdl-access=free}}</ref> This luminescence was reversible by the exposure of specific gases such as hydrogen as they occupied the interstitial sites of the bundle. He showed a transverse [[electrokinetic effect]] in metal nanoparticle assemblies which resulted in a potential when a liquid was flown over it.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.164501|pmid=16241803|title=Flow-Induced Transverse Electrical Potential across an Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles|journal=Physical Review Letters|volume=95|issue=16|pages=164501|year=2005|last1=Subramaniam|first1=Chandramouli|last2=Pradeep|first2=T.|last3=Chakrabarti|first3=J.|bibcode=2005PhRvL..95p4501S}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Subramaniam|first=Chandramouli|date=19 September 2007|title=Transverse Electrokinetic Effect: Experiments and Theory|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry C|volume=111|issue=51|pages=19103–19110|doi=10.1021/jp074238m|citeseerx=10.1.1.401.5752}}</ref> Using spectroscopic and scattering techniques, he showed that long chain monolayers on metal nanoparticle surfaces were rotationally frozen.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Pradeep|first=T|date=4 May 2004|title=Dynamics of Alkyl Chains in Monolayer-Protected Au and Ag Clusters and Silver Thiolates: A Comprehensive Quasielastic Neutron Scattering Investigation|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry B|volume=108|issue=22|pages=7012–7020|doi=10.1021/jp0369950|citeseerx=10.1.1.401.6562}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=N|first=SANDHYARANI|date=26 November 2010|title=Current understanding of the structure, phase transitions and dynamics of self-assembled monolayers on two- and three-dimensional surfaces|journal=Int. Reviews in Physical Chemistry|volume=22|issue=2|pages=221–262|via=Taylor & Francis Ltd|doi=10.1080/0144235031000069705|citeseerx=10.1.1.401.6135|s2cid=6363775}}</ref> This is in contrast to the monolayers on planar surfaces, which are in a rotator phase at room temperature (RT). All of these results have implications to the applications of nanoparticles in diverse areas. | In his earlier research, Pradeep discovered that binding of metallic nanoparticles on metallic carbon nanotube bundles made the latter semiconducting and consequently the nanoparticle-[[Nanotube|nanotube composite]] became [[Luminescence|luminescent]] in the [[Visible spectrum|visible region]].<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.167404|pmid=17995292|title=Visible Fluorescence Induced by the Metal Semiconductor Transition in Composites of Carbon Nanotubes with Noble Metal Nanoparticles|journal=Physical Review Letters|volume=99|issue=16|pages=167404|year=2007|last1=Subramaniam|first1=Chandramouli|last2=Sreeprasad|first2=T. S.|last3=Pradeep|first3=T.|last4=Pavan Kumar|first4=G. V.|last5=Narayana|first5=Chandrabhas|last6=Yajima|first6=T.|last7=Sugawara|first7=Y.|last8=Tanaka|first8=Hirofumi|last9=Ogawa|first9=Takuji|last10=Chakrabarti|first10=J.|bibcode=2007PhRvL..99p7404S|hdl=11094/2859|hdl-access=free}}</ref> This luminescence was reversible by the exposure of specific gases such as hydrogen as they occupied the interstitial sites of the bundle. He showed a transverse [[electrokinetic effect]] in metal nanoparticle assemblies which resulted in a potential when a liquid was flown over it.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.164501|pmid=16241803|title=Flow-Induced Transverse Electrical Potential across an Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles|journal=Physical Review Letters|volume=95|issue=16|pages=164501|year=2005|last1=Subramaniam|first1=Chandramouli|last2=Pradeep|first2=T.|last3=Chakrabarti|first3=J.|bibcode=2005PhRvL..95p4501S}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Subramaniam|first=Chandramouli|date=19 September 2007|title=Transverse Electrokinetic Effect: Experiments and Theory|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry C|volume=111|issue=51|pages=19103–19110|doi=10.1021/jp074238m|citeseerx=10.1.1.401.5752}}</ref> Using spectroscopic and scattering techniques, he showed that long chain monolayers on metal nanoparticle surfaces were rotationally frozen.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Pradeep|first=T|date=4 May 2004|title=Dynamics of Alkyl Chains in Monolayer-Protected Au and Ag Clusters and Silver Thiolates: A Comprehensive Quasielastic Neutron Scattering Investigation|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry B|volume=108|issue=22|pages=7012–7020|doi=10.1021/jp0369950|citeseerx=10.1.1.401.6562}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=N|first=SANDHYARANI|date=26 November 2010|title=Current understanding of the structure, phase transitions and dynamics of self-assembled monolayers on two- and three-dimensional surfaces|journal=Int. Reviews in Physical Chemistry|volume=22|issue=2|pages=221–262|via=Taylor & Francis Ltd|doi=10.1080/0144235031000069705|citeseerx=10.1.1.401.6135|s2cid=6363775}}</ref> This is in contrast to the monolayers on planar surfaces, which are in a rotator phase at room temperature (RT). All of these results have implications to the applications of nanoparticles in diverse areas. | ||
Other aspect of his research is on ice, the solid form of water. He found novel processes occurring at the very top of ice surfaces which are of particular relevance to atmospheric chemistry. Among the various examples, he has shown that the vapour pressures of gases oscillate over melting ice;<ref>{{Cite journal|last=S|first=Usharani|date=23 July 2004|title=Concentration of CO<sub>2</sub> over Melting Ice Oscillates|journal=Physical Review Letters|volume=93|issue=4|pages=048304|doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.048304|pmid=15323801|bibcode=2004PhRvL..93d8304U}}</ref> the study has implications to the fundamental understanding of dynamics of gas phase over condensed systems. He showed that the elementary reaction, H<sup>+</sup> + H<sub>2</sub>O → H<sub>3</sub>O<sup>+</sup> in the gas phase and in liquid water happens differently on ice surfaces, namely one channel follows, H<sup>+</sup> + H<sub>2</sub>O (ice) → H<sub>2</sub><sup>+</sup> + OH<sup>.</sup>(ice), when H<sup>+</sup> collides ice at ultra low kinetic energies.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/jp203310k|title=Formation of H2+ by Ultra-Low-Energy Collisions of Protons with Water Ice Surfaces|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry C|volume=115|issue=28|pages=13813–13819|year=2011|last1=Bag|first1=Soumabha|last2=McCoustra|first2=Martin R. S.|last3=Pradeep|first3=T.}}</ref> In other words, while H<sup>+</sup> makes hydronium ion in liquid water, it results in dihydrogen cation on ice. He showed that molecular transport of even slightly different molecules is largely different within ice.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Cyriac|first=Jobin|date=30 March 2007|title=Probing Difference in Diffusivity of Chloromethanes through Water Ice in the Temperature Range of 110-150 K|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry C|volume=111|issue=24|pages=8557–8565|doi=10.1021/jp068435h|url=https://figshare.com/articles/Probing_Difference_in_Diffusivity_of_Chloromethanes_through_Water_Ice_in_the_Temperature_Range_of_110_150_K/3000790}}</ref> To discover and understand such processes, especially at the very top of ice, he built the very first ultra low energy (1-10 eV) ion scattering spectrometer, a new tool in extremely surface sensitive spectroscopy, working at cryogenic temperatures as in space.<ref name="semanticscholar"/> In this experiment, mass and energy selected ions undergo collisions at ultra-thin molecular surfaces prepared on single crystals and the product ions are studied by a mass spectrometer. The surfaces are simultaneously characterized by a range of techniques such as reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy and secondary ion [[mass spectrometry]]. Using this infrastructure the group has shown that methane hydrate can exist in ultrahigh vacuum and at ultra-cold conditions as in | Other aspect of his research is on ice, the solid form of water. He found novel processes occurring at the very top of ice surfaces which are of particular relevance to atmospheric chemistry. Among the various examples, he has shown that the vapour pressures of gases oscillate over melting ice;<ref>{{Cite journal|last=S|first=Usharani|date=23 July 2004|title=Concentration of CO<sub>2</sub> over Melting Ice Oscillates|journal=Physical Review Letters|volume=93|issue=4|pages=048304|doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.048304|pmid=15323801|bibcode=2004PhRvL..93d8304U}}</ref> the study has implications to the fundamental understanding of dynamics of gas phase over condensed systems. He showed that the elementary reaction, H<sup>+</sup> + H<sub>2</sub>O → H<sub>3</sub>O<sup>+</sup> in the gas phase and in liquid water happens differently on ice surfaces, namely one channel follows, H<sup>+</sup> + H<sub>2</sub>O (ice) → H<sub>2</sub><sup>+</sup> + OH<sup>.</sup>(ice), when H<sup>+</sup> collides ice at ultra low kinetic energies.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/jp203310k|title=Formation of H2+ by Ultra-Low-Energy Collisions of Protons with Water Ice Surfaces|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry C|volume=115|issue=28|pages=13813–13819|year=2011|last1=Bag|first1=Soumabha|last2=McCoustra|first2=Martin R. S.|last3=Pradeep|first3=T.}}</ref> In other words, while H<sup>+</sup> makes hydronium ion in liquid water, it results in dihydrogen cation on ice. He showed that molecular transport of even slightly different molecules is largely different within ice.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Cyriac|first=Jobin|date=30 March 2007|title=Probing Difference in Diffusivity of Chloromethanes through Water Ice in the Temperature Range of 110-150 K|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry C|volume=111|issue=24|pages=8557–8565|doi=10.1021/jp068435h|url=https://figshare.com/articles/Probing_Difference_in_Diffusivity_of_Chloromethanes_through_Water_Ice_in_the_Temperature_Range_of_110_150_K/3000790}}</ref> To discover and understand such processes, especially at the very top of ice, he built the very first ultra low energy (1-10 eV) ion scattering spectrometer, a new tool in extremely surface sensitive spectroscopy, working at cryogenic temperatures as in space.<ref name="semanticscholar"/> In this experiment, mass and energy selected ions undergo collisions at ultra-thin molecular surfaces prepared on single crystals and the product ions are studied by a mass spectrometer. The surfaces are simultaneously characterized by a range of techniques such as reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy and secondary ion [[mass spectrometry]]. Using this infrastructure the group has shown that methane hydrate can exist in ultrahigh vacuum and at ultra-cold conditions as in interstellar space.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ghosh |first1=Jyotirmoy |last2=Methikkalam |first2=Rabin Rajan J. |last3=Bhuin |first3=Radha Gobinda |last4=Ragupathy |first4=Gopi |last5=Choudhary |first5=Nilesh |last6=Kumar |first6=Rajnish |last7=Pradeep |first7=Thalappil |title=Clathrate hydrates in interstellar environment |journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. |date=2019 |volume=116 |issue=5 |pages=1526–1531 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1814293116|pmid=30630945 |pmc=6358667 |doi-access=free }}</ref> | ||
The current research group<ref>{{cite web |title=Pradeep Research Group |url=https://www.dstuns.iitm.ac.in/pradeep-research-group.php}}</ref> is a mix of diverse expertise. The group members are largely chemists along with some chemical engineers, physicists, computer science graduates, biologists and instrumentation engineers. The group has almost all the tools required for advanced materials science within itself. Other facilities are available in the institute. There are also intense collaborations with scientists across the world. | The current research group<ref>{{cite web |title=Pradeep Research Group |url=https://www.dstuns.iitm.ac.in/pradeep-research-group.php}}</ref> is a mix of diverse expertise. The group members are largely chemists along with some chemical engineers, physicists, computer science graduates, biologists and instrumentation engineers. The group has almost all the tools required for advanced materials science within itself. Other facilities are available in the institute. There are also intense collaborations with scientists across the world. | ||
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== Honors and awards == | == Honors and awards == | ||
* <span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-wrap"><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-hover fa fa-trophy"></span><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon fa fa-trophy"></span></span>2021 - [[Vishwakarma Medal]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insaindia.res.in/recipients.php#vm|title=Award Recipients|website=INSA|language=en|access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref> | |||
* <span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-wrap"><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-hover fa fa-trophy"></span><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon fa fa-trophy"></span></span>2020 - [[Padma Shri]] | * <span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-wrap"><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-hover fa fa-trophy"></span><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon fa fa-trophy"></span></span>2020 - [[Padma Shri]] | ||
* <span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-wrap"><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-hover fa fa-trophy"></span><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon fa fa-trophy"></span></span>2020 - [[Nikkei Asia Prize 2020]]<ref name="nikkei">{{cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Nikkei-Asia-Prizes/Grab-co-founders-clean-water-pioneer-and-museum-curator-honored | * <span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-wrap"><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-hover fa fa-trophy"></span><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon fa fa-trophy"></span></span>2020 - [[Nikkei Asia Prize 2020]]<ref name="nikkei">{{cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Nikkei-Asia-Prizes/Grab-co-founders-clean-water-pioneer-and-museum-curator-honored|website=asia.nikkei.com|title=Grab co-founders, clean water pioneer and museum curator honored|access-date=23 December 2020}}</ref> | ||
* 2018 - The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Prize in Chemistry<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twas.org/article/winners-2018-twas-prizes-announced|title=Winners of 2018 TWAS Prizes announced|website=TWAS|language=en|access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref> | * 2018 - The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Prize in Chemistry<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twas.org/article/winners-2018-twas-prizes-announced|title=Winners of 2018 TWAS Prizes announced|website=TWAS|language=en|access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref> | ||
* <span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-wrap"><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-hover fa fa-trophy"></span><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon fa fa-trophy"></span></span> 2015 - J. C. Bose National Fellowship | * <span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-wrap"><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon-hover fa fa-trophy"></span><span class="gdlr-core-icon-list-icon fa fa-trophy"></span></span> 2015 - J. C. Bose National Fellowship | ||
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pradeep, T.}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Pradeep, T.}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:IIT Madras faculty]] | ||
[[Category:Living people]] | [[Category:Living people]] | ||
[[Category:Indian nanotechnologists]] | [[Category:Indian nanotechnologists]] | ||