Dr. Subha Krishna Rao

Assistant Professor (Research)

Mobile: +91-9962232940
Email ID (Personal) : subhha2010@gmail.com
Email ID (Official)   : subhakrishnarao.irc@sathyabama.ac.in

Educational Information

Research Interests

• Developing innovative fiber optic sensor technologies for highly sensitive and selective detection of critical gases like VOCs and hydrogen, enhancing industrial safety and environmental monitoring.
• Engineering advanced multifunctional materials with tailored properties for water purification, air pollution control, and sustainable energy solutions.
• Exploring multiferroic materials for potential applications in energy-efficient memory, highly sensitive sensors, and advanced spintronic devices.
• Actively developing photocatalytic technologies that harness light energy for efficient degradation of organic pollutants and sustainable hydrogen production, contributing to a cleaner energy future.
• Extending expertise in advanced thin film technology such as RF/DC sputtering, PLD, PVD/CVD coatings for creating innovative electronic devices towards data storage applications and enhanced sensor capabilities.
• EMI shielding materials using carbon and polymer composites derived from minerals.
• Dedicating research efforts to high-density and energy-efficient data storage solutions, exploring groundbreaking materials and technologies to meet the challenges of the digital age.

Research Projects

Patents

Publications

1. A. Chauhan, R. Subbarayan, K. Ravi, R. Verma, S.K. Rao, D.M. Girija, C. Gopalakrishnan, G. Rana, Phytomediated Chitosan-Modified TiO2 NPs for Enhanced Photocatalytic and Potential Application for Breast Cancer Therapy, Luminescence. 40 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1002/bio.70162.  
2. Chauhan, A., Duglet, R., S.K. Rao.,Rana, G. et al. Investigation of structural, magnetic, and electromagnetic properties of bismuth and zinc co-doped magnesium ferrite nanoparticles. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 36, 474 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-025-14517-4.
3. A.M. Mostafa, G. Velu Kaliyannan, R. Gunasekaran, Z. El-Tayeb, S.K. Rao, A.N. Al-Ahmadi, A.A.A. Darwish, A.A.O. Younes, W.B. Elsharkawy, S.K. Palaniappan, Enhanced performance of monocrystalline silicon solar cells using sol-gel synthesized zinc stannate anti-reflective coating via electro-spraying technique, Ceramics International. 51 (2025) 10899-10912. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.12.519.
4.  A. Chauhan, R. Verma, F. Alfifi, V.K. Dhiman, F.S. Ataya, S.K. Rao, C. Gopalakrishnan, G. Rana, Structural, magnetic, photocatalytic, electrochemical and antibacterial properties of Ag-doped cerium ferrite nanoparticles, Ceramics International. (2025). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.02.090.
5. S.K. Rao, R. Rajesh Kumar, S.S.S.J. Ahmed, H.A. Al-Mazroua, S.F. Ahmad, R. Vasantha priya, R. Kesavasamy, G.M. Ramanujam, M.S. Kamath, Engineering of oxygen vacancies in electron beam rapid thermal annealed zinc ferrite for environmental monitoring applications using photosensitive spectrum analysis, Materials Today Communications. 43 (2025) 111540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2025.111540.
6. G. Rana, S.K. Rao, A. Chauhan, The efficient visible light assisted photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline and crystal violet using phyto-mediated magnesium oxide-zinc oxide nanocomposites, Journal of the Indian Chemical Society. 102 (2025) 101545. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jics.2024.101545.
7. A. Kalai Priya, S.K. Rao, S. Divya, N. Vijay, P. Jerome, T.H. Oh, B. Renganathan, D. Sastikumar, Engineering luminescent quantum dots through laser ablation of samarium oxide (Sm2O3): A novel approach for enhanced fiber optic gas sensing, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. 417 (2024) 136128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2024.136128.
8. B. Renganathan, M.S. Kamath, M. Silambarasan, V.K. Gobinath, A.R. Ganesan, A. Deepak, N. Kannapiran, K. Guhan, N. Chandrasekar, S. Krishna Rao, Annealing-induced enhancement of TiO2-ZnO nanocomposites for high-performance room-temperature air pollutant detection in fiber optic sensors, Microchemical Journal. 200 (2024) 110329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2024.110329.
9. L. S.K., M.K. S., S. Krishna Rao, S. Patil, R. Janardhanan, S. S., Evodiamine release from interlinked porous polycaprolactone scaffold for cancer therapy, Process Biochemistry. 140 (2024) 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2024.01.028.
10. B. Renganathan, S. Krishna Rao, C. Poornimadevi, M.S. Kamath, E. Meher Abhinav, T. Moorthy, A. Kalai Priya, C. Preferencial Kala, Delineating the sensing analysis of discarded pencil graphite in biofuel ethanol - Experimental and theoretical validation, Materials Letters. 361 (2024) 136118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2024.136118.
11. S.K. Rao, B. Renganathan, A. Kalai Priya, R. Rajesh Kumar, R. Jothi Ramalingam, M.R. Kumar, R. Kesavasamy, G.M. Ramanujam, M.S. Kamath, Structural, magnetic and evanescent wave gas sensing analysis of spin frustrated rare earth doped Bi2Fe4O9 mullite ceramics at room temperature, Ceramics International. 50 (2024) 13993-14001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.12.383.
12. S. Selvaraj, A. Chauhan, V. Dutta, R. Verma, S.K. Rao, A. Radhakrishnan, S. Ghotekar, A state-of-the-art review on plant-derived cellulose-based green hydrogels and their multifunctional role in advanced biomedical applications, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 265 (2024) 130991. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130991.
13. A. Chauhan, G. Rana, V. Dutta, A. Kumari, S. Krishna Rao, R. Subbarayan, K. Ravi, S. Selvaraj, S. Ghotekar, Recent trends in phyto-mediated iron-based nanomaterials for environmental remediation and biomedical applications, Inorganic Chemistry Communications. 160 (2024) 111976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2023.111976.
14. K.P. Anbalagan, S. Krishna Rao, D. Subbaiyan, D. Sastikumar, Laser-Ablated Transmutation of Bulk TiO2 into Nanospheres onto a Clad-Polished Optical Fiber for Room-Temperature Gas Sensing, ACS Applied Optical Materials. 1 (2023) 1367-1376. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaom.3c00158.
15. K. Suresh, K. Monisha, A. Bankapur, S.K. Rao, S. Mutalik, S.D. George, Cellular temperature probing using optically trapped single upconversion luminescence, Analytica Chimica Acta. 1273 (2023) 341530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2023.341530.
16. B. Renganathan, C.K. Gopakumar, A.K. Priya, S.K. Rao, D. Sastikumar, M. Silambarasan, N. Kannapiran, Optimizing Gas Sensing Performance of CuO Nanoparticles via Sol-Gel Synthesis Approach for Efficient Detection of Ammonia Gas, Materials Research Bulletin. 170 (2024) 112556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2023.112556.
17. T. Moorthy, M. Hathim B, M. NagaMahesh C H, G. Anburaj, S.S. Ahmed, V. Gopinath, G. Munuswamy Ramanujam, S.K. Rao, M.S. Kamath, Controlled release of kaempferol from porous scaffolds augments in-vitro osteogenesis in human osteoblasts, Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 83 (2023) 104396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2023.104396.
18. B. Renganathan, S.K. Rao, M.S. Kamath, A. Deepak, A.R. Ganesan, Sensing performance optimization by refining the temperature and humidity of clad engraved optical fiber sensor in glucose solution concentration, Measurement: Journal of the International Measurement Confederation. 207 (2023) 112341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2022.112341.
19. B. Renganathan, S.K. Rao, A.R. Ganesan, A. Deepak, Optical Spectrum Analyzer Integrated Fiber optic Modified nanocrystalline annealed Al2O3 cladding for improved evanescent-wave toxic gas detection, Optics Communications. 525 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optcom.2022.128842.
20. B. Renganathan, S. Krishna Rao, M.S. Kamath, K. Ajitha, A.R. Ganesan, A. Deepak, Performance evaluation of Ce doped ZnO clad modified fiber optic non-enzymatic glucose sensor at varying ambient temperatures for blood detection applications, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2022.107890. Microchemical Journal. 183 (2022) 107890.
21. B. Renganathan, S.K. Rao, A.R. Ganesan, A. Deepak, Investigation of the room temperature gas-detecting potential of CeO2 -doped ZnO at different ratios using clad-modified fiber optic gas sensor,Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-022-08512-2.
22.  B. Renganathan, S. Krishna Rao, A.R. Ganesan, A. Deepak, Investigating the gas sensing potential in CeO2 Fiber Optic Sensor via trivalent Gadolinium ion substitution at room temperature, Materials Letters. 325 (2022) 132766. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2022.132766.
23. L.S. and C.G. Meher Abhinav E, D. Jaison, P Baskaran, N. Pavan Kumar, Subha Krishna Rao, J. Shanker, Enhanced Cryogenic Magnetocaloric Performance in Te Doped Dy2O3, ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology. 11 (2022) 083010.
24. S.K. Lavanya, M.K. S, S. Krishna, P. Rajapriya, S. Patil, S. Sundaresan, Sustained delivery of andrographolide from 3D porous scaffolds imparting anticancer activity, Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 74 (2022) 103570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103570.
25.  Abhinav, E.M., Jaison, D., S.K. Rao.,Sundararaj, A et al. Influence of Gd doping on structural, electronic, optical and magnetocaloric properties in nanodysprosia (Dy2O3). J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 33, 8759-8767 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-021-06871-w.
26. G. Kavitha, J. Vinoth kumar, R. Arulmozhi, S.M. Kamath, A.K. Priya, K.S. Rao, N. Abirami, 2D graphene supported nickel oxide nano-composite for fiber optic ethanol gas sensing, removal of azo dye, and biological activity, Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-021-07470-5.
27. S.K. Rao, A. Kalai priya, S. Manjunath Kamath, E. Meher Abhinav, B. Renganathan, K. Jeyadheepan, C. Gopalakrishnan, Unraveling the potential of Gd doping on mullite BiFeO for fiber optic ethanol gas detection at temperature, Materials Chemistry https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2021.125646. and Physics. 278 (2021) 125646.
28. B. Renganathan, S.K. Rao, A.R. Ganesan, A. Deepak, High proficient sensing response in clad modified ceria doped tin oxide fiber optic toxic gas sensor application, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical. (2021) 113114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2021.113114.
29. K. Subha , Manjunath Kamath , Rajesh Kumar , G. Kavitha , E. MeherAbhinav , S. Sobana Shri , Induja, Gopalakrishnan C, Delineating the photocatalytic properties of doped mullite Bi2Fe4O9 by virtue of Gd3+ ions., Materials Letters. 297 (2021) 129960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2021.129960.
30. E, M.A., D, J., S.K. Rao.,Sundararaj, A. et al. A thermomagnetic analysis of an eco-friendly nano-sized dysprosia for energy efficient cryo-cooling systems. J Nanopart Res 23, 189 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-021-05286-2.
31. K.P. A., S.K. Rao, G.K. Yogesh, R. P., D. Sastikumar, Green synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Pulsed Laser ablation using Citrus Limetta juice extract for Clad-Modified Fiber Optic Gas sensing application, 1180214 (2021) 54. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2597642.
32. M.K. S, S. Krishna, D. Jaison, K. Sridhar, N. Kasthuri, V. Gopinath, P. Sivaperumal, S.P. S, Melatonin delivery from PCL scaffold enhances glycosaminoglycans deposition in human chondrocytes - Bioactive scaffold model for cartilage regeneration, Process Biochemistry. 99 (2020) 36-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2020.08.015.
33. S.M. Kamath, D. Jaison, S. Krishna, K. Sridhar, N. Kasthuri, V. Gopinath, P. Sivaperumal, N. Gupta, S.S. Patil, In vitro augmentation of chondrogenesis by Epigallocatechin gallate in primary Human chondrocytes - Sustained release model for cartilage regeneration, Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 60 (2020) 101992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2020.101992.
34. S. Krishnarao , Kalai priya, Kamath Manjunath, Unequivocal evidence of enhanced room temperature sensing properties of clad modified Nd doped mullite Bi2Fe4O9 in fiber optic gas sensor, Journal of Alloys and Compounds. (2020) 155603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.155603.
35. S.K. RaoMeher Abhinav E, Jaison D, Anuraj Sundararaj, Santhiya M, Althaf R, Gopalakrishnan Chandrasekaran, Investigation of Room Temperature Multi-functional Properties of Nd Doped Mullite Bi2Fe4O9, Vacuum. (2019) 109109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2019.109109.
36. A. Kalai Priya, G.K. Yogesh, S.K. Rao, V. Kalyanavalli, D. Sastikumar, Synthesis of silver nano-butterfly park by using laser ablation of aqueous salt for gas sensing application, Applied Physics A. 127 (2021) 292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-021-04370-7.
37. S. Lakshmanan, S.K. Rao, M.R. Muthuvel, G. Chandrasekaran, H.A. Therese, Variable substrate temperature deposition of CoFeB film on Ta for manipulating the perpendicular coercive forces, Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials. 435 (2017) 81-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2017.03.069.

Book Chapters

1. “Fiber Optic Sensors for Gas Detection: An Overview on Spin Frustrated Multiferroics”, Subha Krishna Rao, Rajesh Kumar Rajagopal, Gopalakrishnan Chandrasekaran, Source: Metal-Oxide Gas Sensors, Publisher: IntechOpen.
2. “Preparation of Ceramics: Different Approaches”, Gobinath Velu Kaliyannan, Rajasekar Rathanasamy, Raja Gunasekaran, Santhosh Sivaraj, Suganeswaran Kandasamy, Subha Krishna Rao. Source: Defects Engineering in Electroceramics for Energy Applications, Publisher: Springer Nature.

Awards & Honors

1. Awarded as INSC Young Researcher Award -2023
2. Awarded for “High Impact Factor Publication” -2022-2023 and 2023-2024 at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology.

National/International Conference & Events Organized

1. Organized a Faculty Development Programme 2023 in Sathaybama Institute of Science and Technology on “Recent Advancements In Smart Materials For Sustainable Energy Applications”.
2.  Hands on training program on “Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Photocatalytic Application”.
3. Two days National Level Symposium on Advancing materials for a sustainable future. “Workshop on Interpretation of Instrumental Methods (WIIM-2025)”, Scheduled from 2nd to 7th January 2025, WIIM-2025

Research Innovations

1. Designed an Arsenic Toxic Detector and patented.
2. Developed a fiber optic evanescent gas sensor for VOC detection at Room temperature
3. Developed new eco-friendly multifunctional multiferroics for VOC gas detection.