Interests
Dr. Afzal’s research interests lie at the interface of chemistry, materials science and nanotechnology. He is primarily interested in the design, synthesis and characterization of nanoscale materials for a range of applications e.g., chemical and biosensors, high temperature gas sensors, biomedical diagnostics, catalysis, etc. These materials include molecularly imprinted or functionalized polymers, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, surface patterned polymers and ceramics, self–assembled monolayers, and hybrids. He is also interested in synthesis and characterization of novel hybrids and-or nanocomposite materials based on organic polymers and inorganic nano-fillers for industrial and biomedical applications. He is investigating thermal, mechanical and-or electrical properties of these materials and studying the influence of organic-inorganic interface on the microstructure and the ultimate performance of these hybrids.