Profile

tapas.debsharma@chem.iitkgp.ac.in
Department of Chemistry, High-Pressure Lab HP 202, IIT Kharagpur, 721302

Education

Ph.D., University of Potsdam, Germany, Aug 2016 – Dec 2019

Dissertation: Cellulose derived polymers: synthesis of functional and degradable polymers from cellulose

Advisors: Prof. Dr. Helmut Schlaad

Topics: Biomass-derived carbohydrate-based polymers, ring-opening metathesis polymerization, cationic ring-opening polymerization

M.Sc. (Chemistry), Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 2014

Dissertation: AuCl3-HCCCH2OBn, A new catalyst-system for O-glycosylation of 1, 2 di–O– acetyl, 1, 2–di–O–benzoyl sugars as glycosyl donors

Advisor: Prof. Dr. Yashwant D. Vankar

B.Sc., University of Kalyani (Santipur College) India, 2012

Higher Secondary Examination (Fulia Shikshaniketan High School), May 2009

Secondary Examination (Fulia Shikshaniketan High School), August 2007

Experience

Postdoctoral Researcher, Northwestern University, USA (May 2023 – Feb 2024)

Topics: Covalent adaptable networks containing disulfides, siloxane, and amide groups

Advisor: Prof. John M. Torkelson

Postdoctoral Researcher, Ghent University, Belgium (May 2020 – Apr 2023)

Topics: Circular thermoset materials – Covalent adaptable networks, Vitrimers, Bio-based vitrimers, Fiber-reinforced vitrimer composites

Advisor: Prof. Filip Du Prez

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Potsdam, Germany (Jan 2020 – May 2020)

Topic: Kinetic studies of ring-opening metathesis polymerization of alkyl levoglucosenyl ethers

Advisor: Prof. Helmut Schlaad

Research Scholar, University of Potsdam, Germany (July 2014 – July 2016)

Topics: Synthesis of carbohydrate-based polyesters and polyamides

Research Assistant, IIT Kanpur, India (May – July 2013)

Summer project: Functionalization of glucal to 2 C-halo glucal

Advisor: Prof. Dr. Yashwant D. Vankar

 

Research Interest
 

This is an ORGANIC CHEMISTRY group. We are focused on synthetic polymer chemistry. The general interest of the group is to develop sustainable polymers, both thermosets and thermoplastics.

Thermosets are used in composites (e.g., airplane bodies), mattresses, adhesives, tires, etc. These are cross-linked polymers and non-recyclable. We work in the field of Covalent Adaptable Networks (including vitrimers) which is a ground-up design for thermosets and thermoset-containing materials as recyclable materials. This is achieved by making use of reversible functional chemistries, such as transesterification, transamination, disulfide exchange, siloxane exchange etc.

The other topic of the group is the synthesis of (thermoplastic) polymers from renewable resources (e.g., cellulose), and polymers with degradable functional groups.

 

What to expect as a PhD student here in the group

You will be involved in organic synthesis as well as polymer characterization techniques.