Solid State Ionics Lab (SSI Lab • Patro Group)
The Solid State Ionics Lab is a research group in the Department of Physics, SRM University AP – Amaravati. Our group is involved in experimental research and primarily focuses on solid-state ionics, including synthesis and characterisation of fast ion conducting solid materials for energy storage and sensor applications.
We investigate charge transport and glassy dynamics of ionic liquids at higher electric fields, synthesis of solid electrolytes for all-solid-state Na-ion, Li-ion, F-ion and Zn-ion batteries, nonlinear conductivity phenomena, and defect structures of oxide materials. Our group also focuses on the fabrication and characterisation of solid-state ionic devices such as batteries and chemical sensors.
By employing advanced experimental techniques, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), X-ray diffraction, and nonlinear conductivity measurements, we elucidate the fundamental transport mechanisms in solid electrolytes and ionic materials.
- Sumit Khatua successfully completed his Synopsis submission and Pre-PhD seminar (July 2026).
- Sasikumar K attended IECS 2026 conference at IIT Madras (July 2026).
- Amal Benny joins the group for doctoral studies focusing on Zn-ion batteries (June 2026).
- Sumit Khatua's work on polymer composite solid electrolyte for Li batteries accepted in RSC Advances (February 2026).
- Sasikumar K — Patent on cathode material for sodium-ion batteries published (January 2026).
- Sasikumar K's cathode work for sodium-ion batteries accepted in J. Physical Chemistry C (January 2026).
- Sumit Khatua's ceramic electrolyte for Li-ion batteries accepted in Solid State Ionics (January 2026).
- K.R. Achary, L. N. Patro — Oral presentation: "Exploring Structural Variations, Optical, and Conductivity Studies of Mechanochemically and Hydrothermally Synthesized Ce3+ Doped BaSnF4 Solid Electrolytes", ETOT, SRM University AP (January 2025).
- Sumit Khatua — Poster: "Biomass-derived porous hard carbon from soap-nut seeds as sustainable electrode material", 2nd Research Summit, SRM University AP (December 2024).
- S. Khatua et al., LN Patro. Flexible and stable PEO-based polymer composite solid electrolyte membranes incorporating NASICON-type Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3… RSC Advances, 2026.
- S. Khatua et al., LN Patro. Engineering dense superionic Li1+xAlxTi2−x(PO4)3 solid electrolytes for safer solid-state Li-ion batteries. Solid State Ionics, 2026.
- S. Karuppusamy, LN Patro et al.. Engineering Fluorine-Stabilized, Phase-Pure Na3V2(PO4)2F3 Cathode via In Situ Carbon Coating. J. Physical Chemistry C, 2026.
- S. Wakekar, LN Patro et al.. Konjac glucomannan derived biodegradable superionic solid-state electrolyte films for supercapacitor. Chemical Communications, 2025.
- KR Achary, S Khatua, LN Patro. Exploring structural and conductivity behaviours of Ce3+-doped BaSnF4 solid electrolytes. Solid State Ionics, 2025.
- S. Wakekar, LN Patro et al.. Hybrid polysaccharide–NaI derived transparent and flexible solid-state electrolyte films. J. Materials Chemistry A, 2025.
- 2024
- Sumit Khatua — Silver Medal: Oral "Chemically activated biomass derived porous hard carbon… anode for lithium-ion batteries", 1st Research Summit, SRM University AP (April 2024).
- K.R. Achary — Silver Medal Prize Winner: Poster "NH4Sn2F5, A Pb-Free Solid Electrolyte…", 1st Research Scholar's Summit, SRM University AP (March 2024).
- K.R. Achary — Best Oral Presentation: "Structural and transport studies of mechanochemically synthesized SnF2-based solid electrolytes…", SOFEEM, SRM University AP (March 2024).
- 2023
- Sumit Khatua — Poster: "Influence of Al3+ doping on the conductivity of NASICON-type LiZr2(PO4)3", IMESD 2023, IIT Roorkee (December 2023).
- Sumit Khatua — Oral: "Li-ion transport studies in NASICON-type LiZr2(PO4)3…", Research Day, SRM University AP (April 2023). (Silver Medal)
- 2022
- Sumit Khatua — Oral: "Ionic transport studies of NASICON type solid electrolyte LiZr2(PO4)3", Research Day, SRM University AP (September 2022). (Gold Medal)