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Dr. Monika Singh

Scientist-D

We are working on Porous Framework Materials for various applications in Energy and Environment. 
At present the research group focuses on following areas: 
Developing new MOFs for carbon dioxide capture, CO2 catalytic conversion to useful carbonates and sensing applications. 
Polyoxomolybdate cluster based open framework materials and their various applications in energy and medicine.


Member of International Union of Crystallography
Member of American Chemical Society
Member of CRIKC

CONTACT INFORMATION :

Research Interest

  • Our group is interested in developing various Metal Organic Framework based Porous Nanostructures for Applications in Energy and Environment. 
    At present the research group focuses on following areas: 
    Developing new MOFs for carbon dioxide capture, CO2 catalytic conversion to useful carbonates and sensing applications. 
    Polyoxomolybdate cluster based open framework materials and their various applications in energy and medicine.

Research Highlights

  • A novel Strandberg type polyoxomolybdate based organic–inorganic hybrid solid, [{4,4′-H2bpy}{4,4′-Hbpy}2{H2P2Mo5O23}]·5H2O (1) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The structure consists of a discrete type phosphomolybdate cluster, [H2P2Mo5O23]4−, connected with three protonated 4,4′-bipyridine molecules by strong hydrogen bonding interactions. The In vitro anti-tumoral activity of compound (1) was tested against human breast cancer (MCF-7), human lung cancer (A549) and human liver cancer (HepG2) cells. The Strandberg type cluster was used against the MCF-7 and A549 cancer cells for the first time hitherto. It shows considerable inhibitory effect with IC50 values of 33.79 μmol L−1, 25.17 μmol L−1, and 32.11 μmol L−1 against HepG2, A549 and MCF-7 respectively. The anti-tumoral activity of 1 was also found to be comparable with that of a routinely used chemotherapeutic agent, methotrexate (MTX), with an IC50 value of 42.03 μmol L−1 for HepG2, 26.93 μmol L−1 for A549 and 49.79 μmol L−1 for MCF-7. The anti-proliferation activity is mediated by the arrest of the A549 and HepG2 cells in the S phase and MCF-7 in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle as suggested by flow cytometry. Results suggest that apoptosis and necrosis pathways ultimately lead to the death of the cancer cells.


  • Nicotine, being a major constituent of Second Hand Smoke (SHS) or Cigarette smoke, is quite harmful for human health because of its carcinogenic potential. Hence, its detection in air becomes very significant. Herein, for the first time, a Metal Organic Nanotube (MONT) is being used for detection of nicotine from cigarette smoke at room temperature. MONT is a unique class of Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) where independent one-dimensional tubular structures are formed. MONT, [Zn3(btc)2(µ3-OH)(DMF)].H2O (1), reported here, possesses distinctive structural features i.e. three differently shaped porous channels (circular, star and oval), formed by periodic linkage of btc with Zn, giving rise to the formation of highly porous framework structure. When exposed to cigarette smoke in the presence of sunlight, this MONT display gasochromic effect i.e. significant color change from light yellow to dark pink in just 20 seconds. A high sensitivity with low detection limit of ~23.3 μM was witnessed. The significance of this work lies in the visible light assisted, fast, easy, naked eye specific sensing of nicotine from cigarette smoke, which is first of its kind.





  • A series of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) based on trimesic acid (btc) have been synthesized using a solvothermal procedure which exhibits excellent catalytic fixation of CO2. Cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxide to produce cyclic carbonates is quite promising. The chemical fixation of CO2 reported here is solvent free and carried out under moderately mild conditions. All the MOFs [Zn-btc (1), Co-btc (2), Ni-btc (3), Cu- btc (4)] were synthesized under same experimental conditions yet possess different structural and catalytic properties. All the catalysts follow first-order kinetics, and Zn-btc (1) proved to be the most catalytically active catalyst among all with ~100% yield with a total turnover number of 18,845 per mole of catalyst and an initial TOF (hour-1) of 946 with respect to Cyclic carbonate. All MOFs (1 – 4) show almost 100% conversion in these reactions. Same reaction using other metal (Co, Ni, Cu)-btc compounds have also yielded product more than 94 % creating an extra impact on the importance of the work.

PhD Students

  • MS. ARSHMINDER KAUR DHILLON

    Email: arshminder.ph22210@inst.ac.in

    Reg. No.: PH22210

    Working Since Aug, 2022

  • MS. SOBHNA ACHARYA

    Email: sobhna.ph21236@inst.ac.in

    Reg. No.: PH21236

    Working Since Jan, 2022

  • Ms. DEEPIKA RANI

    Email: deepika.rp181611@inst.ac.in

    Reg. No.: 2018-E2-62

    Working Since Jan, 2018

  • MS. RITU

    Email: ritu.ph20231@inst.ac.in

    Reg. No.: PH20231

    Working Since Aug, 2020

  • Ms Parul Sood

    Email: parul.ph19234@inst.ac.in

    Reg. No.: PH19234

    Working Since Jan, 2020

Research Associates

  • DR RAJINDER KUMAR

    Email: rajinder.ph14214@inst.ac.in

    Reg. No.: RA-1-202109

    Working Since Mar, 2021

PhD Students

  • Ms. Arti Joshi

    Email: arti.ph16210@inst.ac.in

    Reg. No.: PH16210

  • Mr. Pulkit

    Email: pulkit.ph14215@inst.ac.in

    Reg. No.: PH14215


  1. Improved OER performance of an Anderson-supported Cobalt Coordination Polymer by Assembling with Acetylene Black: Arti Joshi, Ashish Gaur, Parul Sood, Venika Madaan, Deepika Rani, Monika Singh, (2022) Journal of Materials Chemistry A, . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2TA01134D

  2. Nanochannel Mediated Electrical and Photoconductivity of Metal Organic Nanotubes: Deepika Rani, Ajit Singh, Ritu Ladih, K K Bhasin, Chandan Bera, Monika Singh, (2022) ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, . DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c00026

  3. Non-porous interpenetrating Co-bpe MOF for colorimetric iodide sensing: Deepika Rani, Kuldeep Kumar Bhasin,Monika Singh, (2021) Dalton Transactions, 50: 13430-13437. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D1DT01757H

  4. One-Pot Crystallization of 2D and 3D Cobalt-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their High-Performance Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution: Arti Joshi,Asshish Gaur, Parul Sood,Monika Singh, (2021) Inorganic Chemistry, 60: 12685-12690. DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01665

  5. In Vitro Anti-tumoral and Anti-bacterial Activity of an Octamolybdate Cluster-Based Hybrid Solid Incorporated with a Copper Picolinate Complex: Joshi A,Gupta R,Vaghasiya K,Verma R.K,Sharma D,Singh M, (2021) ACS Applied Bio Materials, 3(7): 4025–4035. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.0c00093

  6. Mo (VI) based Coordination Polymer as antiproliferative agent against cancer cells: Arti Joshi,Ruby Gupta,Deepika Sharma,Monika Singh, (2021) Dalton Transactions, . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D0DT03865B

  7. A Mo(vi) based coordination polymer as an antiproliferative agent against cancer cells: Arti Joshi,Ruby Gupta,Deepika Sharma,Monika Singh, (2020) Dalton Transactions, 50: 1253-1260. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D0DT03865B

  8. In vitro anti-tumoral and anti-bacterial activity of octamolybdate cluster-based hybrid solid incorporated with copper picolinate complex: Arti Joshi, Ruby Gupta, Kalpesh Vaghasiya,Rahul Verma, Deepika Sharma, Monika Singh, (2020) ACS Applied Bio Materials, . DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c00093

  9. Effective inhibitory activity against MCF-7, A549 and HepG2 cancer cells by a phosphomolybdate based hybrid solid: Arti Joshi,Ruby Gupta,Bharti Singh,Deepika Sharma,Monika Singh, (2020) Dalton Trans, 49: 7069-7077. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D0DT01042A

  10. Visible-Light-Assisted Gasochromic Sensing of Nicotine from Cigarette Smoke by Metal-Organic Nanotube: Deepika Rani, Kuldeep Kumar Bhasin and Monika Singh, (2020) (2020) ACS Materials Lett., 2: 9-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialslett.9b00314

  11. High yield Cycloaddition of Carbon Dioxide to Epoxides Catalysed by Metal Organic Frameworks: Deepika Rani, Rajinder Kumar,Vineet Kumar and Monika Singh, (2020) Materials Today Sustainability, 5: 100021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2019.100021

  12. Nano-hives for plant stimuli controlled targeted iron fertilizer application: Bindra P., Kaur K., Rawat A., Abir De Sarkar, Monika Singh,Vijayakumar S.*, (2019) Chemical Engineering Journal, 375: 121995.. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2019.121995

  13. Synthesis and Structure of Anderson Cluster based Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Solid [{Cu(2-pzc)(H2O)2{H7AlMo6O24}].17H2O and its dye adso: Arti Joshi,Sonalika Vaidya,Monika Singh, (2019) Journal of Chemical Science, 131: 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12039-018-1583-4

  14. Hybrid Inorganic-Organic Polyoxomolybdate Solids based on diamine: Dinesh Kumar,Arunachalam Ramanan, (2014) Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences India, .

  15. Mole ratio dependent formation of mononuclear versus pentanuclear zinc(II) pivalate complexes and the ‘carboxylate shift’ process: Umesh Kumar, Natesan Thirupathi, (2013) Polyhedron, 55: 233–240. DOI: 10.1016/j.poly.2013.02.081

  16. Extending the Supramolecular Synthon Concept in Flexible Polyaminocarboxylate based Coordination Polymers: Pramod Kumar Goswami, Ram Thaimattam,Arunachalam Ramanan, (2013) CrystEngComm, 15: 9787 – 9797. DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41067F

  17. Crystallization of Mo–EDTA complex based solids: Dinesh Kumar, Arunachalam Ramanan, (2012) J. Mol. Struc., 1030: 89 – 94. DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2012.07.024

  18. Oxalate bridged copper pyrazole complex templated Anderson-Evans cluster based solids: Katikaneani Pavani,Arunachalam Ramanan, (2011) Aus. J. Chem., 64: 68–76. DOI: 10.1071/CH1027

  19. Crystal engineering of POM based metal organic solids: The case of chromium molybdate cluster based metal complexes and coordination polymers: Arunachalam Ramanan, (2011) Cryst. Growth Des, 11: 3381–3394. DOI: 10.1021/cg101695w

  20. Crystallization of Copper(II) Sulfate based Minerals and MOF from solution: Dinesh Kumar,Jency Thomas,Arunachalam Ramanan, (2010) J. Chem. Sci., 122: 757–769. DOI: 10.1007/s12039-010-0064-1

  21. Crystallization of Anderson-Evans type Chromium Molybdate Solids incorporated with Metal pyrazine complex or coordination polymer: Samuel E. Lofland, Kandalam V. Ramanujachary,Arunachalam Ramanan, (2010) Cryst. Growth Des., 10: 5105–5112. DOI: 10.1021/cg100754k

  22. Tetradentate selenium ligand as a building block for homodinuclear complexes of Pd(II) and Ru(II) having seven membered rings or bis-pincer coordination mode: Dipanwita Das, Pradhumn Singh,Ajai Kumar Singh, (2010) high catalytic activity of Pd complexes for Heck reaction, Dalton Trans, 39: 10876–10882. DOI: 10.1039/C0DT00561D

  23. Ligand concentration and reaction time controlled successive substitution of chloro and g6-benzene of di-l-chlorobis{g6-benzene)dichlororuthenium(II)} with selenated Schiff base: Pradhumn Singh, Dipanwita Das, Ajai K. Singh, (2010) Inorg. Chem. Commun., 13: 223–226.

  24. Synthesis, structure and optical studies of inorganic-organic hybrid semiconductor: K. Pradeesh, G. Sharachandar Yadav,G. Vijaya Prakash, (2010) MatChemPhysics, 124: 44–47. DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2010.07.037

  25. Rhodium(III) complexes of N-{2-(arylseleno/telluro)ethyl} morpholine: Pradhumn Singh, Dipanwita Das, Ajai K. Singh, (2010) Inorg. Chem. Commun., 13: 988–991. DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2010.05.014

  26. Understanding Supramolecular Interactions Provides Clues for Building Molecules into Minerals and Materials: Jency Thomas,Arunachalam Ramanan, (2010) J. Chem., 63: 565–572. DOI: 10.1071/CH09427

  27. Engineering of copper molybdates: Piperazine dictated pseudopolymorphs: Katikaneani Pavani, Arunachalam Ramanan,Samuel E. Lofland,Kandalam V. Ramanujachary, (2009) J. Mol. Struc, 933: 156–162. DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2009.06.014

  28. Half sandwich complexes of Ru(II) and complexes of Pd(II) and Pt(II) with seleno and thio derivatives of pyrrolidine: Pradhumn Singh, Ajai K. Singh, (2009) J. Organo. Met. Chem, 694: 3872–3880.. DOI: 10.1016/j.jorganchem.2009.08.004

  29. Reactions of l-dichlorobis(g3-allyl)palladium(II) withbis(1-H-benzo-triazolyl-methyl) selenide: Formation of unexpected polymeric structure with dormant Se donor site. Applications of the pol: Dipanwita Das, Ajai K. Singh, (2009) Inorg. Chem. Commun, 12: 1120–1123.

  1. International Conference on Nano Science and Technology (ICONSAT-2014): INST, Mohali, India, (2014) .

  2. New Directions in Chemical Sciences (NDCS-2012): Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, (2012) .

  3. The structural landscape of EDTA and its analogues – new building blocks for coordination polymers: Pramod Kumar Goswami, Dinesh Kumar, Vineet Kumar,Arunachalam Ramanan, (2011) .

  4. Supramolecular Isomerism in Polyoxomolybdates: A Chemical Insight: Arunachalam Ramanan, (2009) Young Scientist Lecture, .

  5. Supramolecular Assembly of Solids Based on Anderson-Evans type polyoxoanion: Effect of Transition Metals, at International Symposium on Inorganic Ring Systems: Arunachalam Ramanan, (2009) Presented Poster, .

  6. Copper Based Metal Organic Frameworks, at 3rd Mid-Year Symposium of the Chemical Research Society of India: Jency Thomas, Kalawati Saini,Arunachalam Ramanan, (2008) NIPER, Chandigarh, .

  7. Chemistry of Organically Templated Copper Molybdates: Synthesis, Structure and Magnetism: Katikneani Pavani,Arunachalam Ramanan, (2008) Future Directions in Advanced Materials Research, .

  8. Modern Trends in Inorganic Chemistry: IIT Madras, (2007) .

  9. Recent Trends in Chemistry: University of Delhi, (2004) .

Fundings

  • Development of Polyoxomolybdate based Open Frameworks : Exploring their diverse applications as electrocatalysts 3 year, CSIR
    Funding Amount: --
    PI: Dr. Monika Singh
  • Nanoporous Materials for Carbon Dioxide Sequestration 3 years, DST-SERB
    Funding Amount: --
    PI: Dr. Monika Singh
  • Ultra-fast effective treatment of Water contaminants using semiconducting nanomaterials Two Years, INST
    Funding Amount: 10 Lakhs (completed)
    Role PI: Dr. Sonalika Vaidya Role Co-PI: Dr. Monika Singh

  • 2012

    PhD

    Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

  • 2007

    MSc

    Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

  • 2005

    BSc

    University of Delhi

  • Scientist D:Institute of Nano Science and Technology Mohali, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali (January 2022 to Present till date )

  • Scientist C:Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali (January 2018 to December 2021 )

  • Scientist B:Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, India (January 2013 to December 2017 )

Awards & Honours

  • 1.      PhD student, Arti Joshi got ACS Best Poster Prize in 6th International Conference on Advanced Nanomaterials & Nanotechnology held at IIT Guwahati during 18-21 December 2019.


    2.      PhD student, Deepika Rani won RSC Best Poster Prize in International Conference on Nano Science and Technology held at S N Bose National Centre during 5-7 March 2020.


Professional Recognitions

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