Dr. Adeel Afzal
Assistant Professor, IRCBM
Area of Interest: Polymers and Nanocomposites, Chemical Sensors
Tel # (Off): 111-001-007  
Served Previously

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. 

Further details: http://aafzal.com/

HEC Approved Supervisor (http://sc.hec.gov.pk/aphds/Submit.asp?supid=5280) 
Researcher ID: C-7303-2011 (http://www.researcherid.com/rid/C-7303-2011)

Current Research Projects

1.    Synthetic Bone Graft Substitutes 

To develop high mobility synthetic bone graft substitute materials using polymeric carriers.

Funded by: The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad, Pakistan
Role: Principal Invetogator
Status: In progress @ IRCBM, CIIT Lahore
Collaborators: Dr. Aqif Anwar Chaudhry & Dr. Ather Farooq Khan, IRCBM, CIIT Lahore

2.    Epoxy Polymers and Nanocomposites 

To investigate the mechanistic role of metal oxide nanoparticles in enhancing glass transition, thermal stability, tensile strength, stiffness, and toughness of epoxy polymers. 

Funded by: The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad, Pakistan
Role: Principal Investigator
Status: In progress @ Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
Collaborators
Dr. Humaira Masood Siddiqi, Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Dr. Amir Habib, School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

3.    High Temperature Gas Sensors

To develop high temperature exhaust gas sensors based on Au-doped (coated) metal oxide nanoparticles.

Funded by: The Apulian Technological District on Mechatronics (MEDIS), Bari, Italy
Role: Collaborator / Researcher
Status: In progress @ University of Bari, Italy
Collaborators
Prof. Dr. Luisa Torsi & Dr. Nicola Cioffi, Department of Chemistry, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
Prof. Dr. Anita Lloyd Spetz, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden
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Publications:

Book Chapters:
1. A. Elia, C. Di Franco, A. Afzal et al. (2011), "Advanced NOx sensors for mechatronic applications", Advances in Mechatronics, edited by: H. Martinez–Alfaro, published by: InTech Open, Croatia , pp: 247–270, Standard: 978–953–307–373–6    (External URL)
2. A. Afzal and FL. Dickert (2011), "Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors for chemical applications", Chemical Sensors: Comprehensive Sensor Technology, Vol. 4: Solid State Sensors, edited by: G. Korotcenkov, published by: Momentum Press, New Jersey, USA , pp: 447–485, Standard: 978–1–60650–233–4    (External URL)
3. A. Afzal and FL. Dickert (2009), "Imprinting – a nanotechnology for chemical sensors", Nanotechnological Applications of Novel Polymers, edited by: M. Adeli, published by: Transworld Research Network, Kerala, India , pp: 37/661 (2): 1-18, Standard: 978–81–7895–412–7   
4. A. Afzal et al. (2008), "Detection of cells and viruses with mass–sensitive devices – applications of synthetic antibodies", Commercial and Pre–commercial Cell Detection Technologies for Defense against Bioterror – Technology, Market and Society, edited by: LM. Lechuga, FP. Milanovich, P. Skládal, O. Ignatov, published by: IOS Press, Amsterdam, Netherlands , pp: 39/60–76, Standard: 978–15–8603–858–8    (External URL)
Journal Papers:
1. A. Afzal et al. (2012), "AFM substantiation of the fracture behavior and mechanical properties of sol–gel derived silica packed epoxy networks", Journal of Sol–Gel Science and Technology, pp: 44-48, Vol: 61, Issue: 1, Impact Factor: 1.632    (External URL)
2. A. Afzal et al. (2012), "NOx sensors based on semiconducting metal oxide nanostructures: progress and perspectives", Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, pp: 25-42, Vol: 171-172, Impact Factor: 3.898    (External URL)
3. HM. Siddiqi, A. Afzal et al. (2012), "Preparation, characterization and thermal oxidative stability of rigid epoxy polymers cured from aromatic mono- and di-amines", Journal of Polymer Research, Vol: Just Accepted, Impact Factor: 1.733   
4. A. Mujahid, Y. Ali, A. Afzal et al. (2012), "Rapid assay of the comparative degradation of acetaminophen in binary and ternary combinations", Arabian Journal of Chemistry, Vol: Just Accepted, Impact Factor: 1.363    (External URL)
5. A. Mujahid, A. Afzal et al. (2012), "Structurally modified poly(vinyl alcohol) ionic composites as efficient humidity indicators", Polymer Composites, Vol: 33, Issue: 1018-1024, Impact Factor: 1.231    (External URL)
6. A. Afzal et al. (2012), "The effect of SiO2 filler content and its organic compatibility on thermal stability of epoxy resins", Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, Vol: (Just Accepted), Impact Factor: 1.604    (External URL)
7. A. Afzal and HM. Siddiqi (2011), "A comprehensive study of the bicontinuous epoxy–silica hybrid polymers: I. Synthesis, characterization and glass transition", Polymer, pp: 1345-1355, Vol: 52, Issue: 6, Impact Factor: 3.438    (External URL)
8. U. Latif, A. Mujahid, A. Afzal et al. (2011), "Dual and tetra electrode QCMs using imprinted polymers as receptors for ions and neutral analytes", Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, pp: 2507-2515, Vol: 400, Issue: 8, Impact Factor: 3.778    (External URL)
9. A. Afzal et al. (2011), "The influence of epoxy functionalized silica nanoparticles on stress dispersion and crack resistance in epoxy–based hybrids", Materials Express, pp: 299-306, Vol: 1, Issue: 4, Impact Factor: TBA 2013    (External URL)
10. T. Nazir, A. Afzal et al. (2011), "The influence of temperature and interface strength on microstructure and performance of sol–gel silica–epoxy nanocomposites", Polymer Bulletin, pp: 1539-1551, Vol: 67, Issue: 8, Impact Factor: 1.532    (External URL)
11. A. Mujahid, A. Afzal et al. (2010), "Imprinted sol–gel materials for monitoring degradation products in automotive oils by shear transverse wave", Analytica Chimica Acta, pp: 53-57, Vol: 675, Issue: 1, Impact Factor: 4.555    (External URL)
12. T. Nazir, A. Afzal et al. (2010), "Thermally and mechanically superior hybrid epoxy–silica polymer films via sol–gel method", Progress in Organic Coatings, pp: 100-106, Vol: 69, Issue: 1, Impact Factor: 1.977    (External URL)
13. PA. Lieberzeit, K. Halikias, A. Afzal et al. (2008), "Polymers imprinted with PAH mixtures – comparing fluorescence and QCM sensors", Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, pp: 1405-1410, Vol: 392, Issue: 7-8, Impact Factor: 3.778    (External URL)
14. PA. Lieberzeit, A. Afzal et al. (2007), "Molecularly imprinted sol–gel nanoparticles for mass-sensitive engine oil degradation sensing", Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, pp: 441-446, Vol: 389, Issue: 2, Impact Factor: 3.778    (External URL)
15. PA. Lieberzeit, A. Afzal et al. (2007), "Nanoparticles for detecting pollutants and degradation processes with mass-sensitive sensors", Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, pp: 132-136, Vol: 127, Issue: 1, Impact Factor: 3.898    (External URL)
16. PA. Lieberzeit, A. Afzal et al. (2007), "Printing materials in micro- and nano-scale: Systems for process control", Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, pp: 153-158, Vol: 126, Issue: 1, Impact Factor: 3.898    (External URL)
Conference Papers:
1. A. Afzal et al. (2011) "Core–shell gold nanoparticles and gold–decorated metal oxides for gas sensing applications", Proceedings of the 4th IEEE Workshop on Advances in Sensors and Interfaces, pp: 125–128    (External URL)
2. PA. Lieberzeit, A. Afzal et al. (2008) "Bioanalogous Recognition with Sol-Gel Thin Films and Nanoparticles in Harsh Environments", MRS Spring Meeting, pp: DD05-08, Vol: 1094, Issue: 1    (External URL)

Qualification

PhD
University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Mar 2005 to Nov 2007
   
MPhil
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Sep 2002 to Aug 2004
   
MSc
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Sep 2000 to Jun 2002
   

Experience

Assistant Professor
CIIT Lahore
Feb 2012 to Date
   
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