PB

Paresh Kumar Behera

University of Oxford, University of York, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences

ORCID iD 0009-0000-8748-6792
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About

I am an Organic and Supramolecular Chemist with over eight years of experience in molecular engineering, multi-step synthesis, and device integration of functional soft materials. My research bridges the gap between fundamental chemistry and applied materials science, transitioning from high-performance optoelectronics to next-generation energy storage systems. I possess a strong academic foundation, having secured top national rankings (CSIR-NET, GATE) and the prestigious DST-INSPIRE scholarship (awarded to the top 1% of students) during my undergraduate studies.
Current Research: Advanced Electrolytes for Energy Storage
Currently, as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Oxford, I am spearheading the design of tropylium-based ionic liquid crystals (ILCs). My work focuses on optimizing these materials as solid-state electrolytes to replace flammable liquid electrolytes in batteries. This builds upon my immediate prior role at the University of York (2024–2025), where I developed novel cyclopropenium-based ILCs. There, I successfully tuned ion transport properties through systematic counter-ion exchange (BF₄⁻, PF₆⁻, I⁻) and the incorporation of perfluoroalkyl/PEG substituents, significantly enhancing charge transport for electrochemical systems.
Doctoral Research: Innovation in Optoelectronics
I obtained my Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (2023) from IIT Guwahati, working under Prof. A. S. Achalkumar. My doctoral work addressed critical stability challenges in organic semiconductors. I established novel molecular design strategies for solution-processable Discotic Liquid Crystals (DLCs) based on perylene and naphthalene cores. Key achievements include:
• Engineering Room-Temperature LCs: I introduced "swallow-tail" imide substituents and heteroatom (N, S, Se) bay-annulations to lower melting points by ~70 °C, stabilizing the liquid crystalline phase at room temperature without compromising charge mobility.
• Device Performance: Synthesized Se-annulated Perylene Bisimides (PBIs) exhibiting ambipolar charge transport and strong photoluminescence. These materials enabled the fabrication of deep-red/NIR OLEDs with a maximum External Quantum Efficiency (EQE) of 4.9% and solution-processed emitters achieving efficiencies up to 11.6%.
• Ambipolar Transport: Reported the first ambipolar Naphthalene Diimide (NDI) to form a stable room-temperature columnar phase, significantly expanding the library of n-type organic semiconductors.
• Photovoltaic Interfaces: Developed broadband, low-bandgap absorbers using perylene/naphthalene bis(benzimidazole)s, successfully separating previously inseparable syn/anti isomers.
Collaborative & Multidisciplinary Experience
My research versatility is further demonstrated by my tenure at CeNS, India (2023–2024), where I utilized cholesterol-based LCs to create Au-nanoparticle composites with unique optical self-assembly behavior. I have fostered productive international collaborations with groups at NISER, SNU, and NTHU (Taiwan), resulting in high-impact joint publications.
Impact & Technical Proficiency
My research contributions are documented in 25 peer-reviewed articles (including J. Mater. Chem. C, Chem. Eng. J., Chem. Commun.), satisfying an h-index of 7 with 164 citations. Notably, 15 of these are first-author publications, underscoring my ability to lead projects from conception to publication. My work has been highlighted on journal front covers and recognized twice as "Picture of the Month" by the International Liquid Crystal Society (ILCS).
Technically, I am proficient in:
• Synthesis: Multi-step organic synthesis (mg to gram scale), inert atmosphere techniques, and transition-metal catalyzed couplings (Suzuki, Sonogashira).
• Characterization: NMR, MALDI-TOF, UV-Vis, Fluorescence, CV, DSC, TGA, and SAXS/WAXS.
• Device Physics: Fabrication of OLEDs/OFETs, SCLC mobility measurements, and impedance spectroscopy.
• Computation: DFT/TD-DFT for rationalizing structure-property relationships.
Beyond the bench, I have mentored multiple M.Sc. and junior Ph.D. students, developing strong skills in project supervision and laboratory safety management. I am now seeking to leverage this multidisciplinary expertise in a challenging postdoctoral fellowship to further advance the field of sustainable energy materials.

Employment

  • University of Oxford Postdoctoral Research Associate
    2025 - Present
  • University of York Postdoctoral Research Associate
    2024 - 2025
  • Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences Postdoctoral Research Associate
    2023 - 2024

Education

  • Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Dr.
    2017 - 2023

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (28)