Dhiraj Kumar Rana

Scopus Publications

Microstructure-Driven Mechanical and Thermal Behavior of Skin-Like Soft Liquid Metal/Elastomer Composite Materials
Soumili Chakraborti, Pratip Sankar Banerjee, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Siddharth Jena, Shib Shankar Banerjee
Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2026
Mimicking the tissue-like softness of biological systems for a smooth human–machine interface remains a challenge due to the need for mechanical compliance with conformal integration and functionality. Herein, we report bioinspired liquid metal (LM)/elastomer composite materials with exceptional conformability, consisting of a eutectic gallium–indium alloy physically integrated into low-hardness liquid silicone rubber. The material was engineered via cross-linker ratio tuning and unidirectional vacuum mixing, which led to ultrasoft mechanics (elastic modulus ≤170 kPa, Shore A hardness ≤8) that closely replicates the softness of biological tissues. To understand the microstructure-driven mechanical response of the resulting materials, a modified Eshelby approach was employed, which revealed the matrix-stiffening behavior of the LM inclusions due to their proximity to the elastocapillary limit, resulting in the inclusion surface energy exceeding 1000 mJ/m 2 . Microscopic analysis further showed an LM-loading-dependent microstructural transition: elliptical geometry at ≤20 vol % LM and spherical geometry at >20 vol % LM, further supported by Effective Medium Theory (EMT). Thermal conductivity followed the modified Bruggeman model up to a 20 vol % LM loading and the Bruggeman model beyond, further underscoring the geometry-dependent thermal properties. On the other hand, high resilience under cyclic tensile (hysteresis loss ≤ 2.4 kJ/m 3 ) and Neo-Hookean analysis revealed no significant softening, but strain-dependent stiffening while preserving the material’s compliance. The microstructure-driven coupling of the mechanical and thermal behavior of the resulting composite offers a fundamental framework for the design of next-generation ultrasoft functional materials.
Additive Manufacturing of Styrene-Isoprene-Styrene Block Copolymer Based Soft Thermoplastic Elastomeric Nanocomposites: Influence of Reduced Graphene Oxide on Microstructural, Mechanical and Functional Properties
Arun Kumar, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Pulak M. Pandey, C. Sasmal, Shib Shankar Banerjee
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, 2025
Abstract Additive manufacturing enables the customization of parts according to user requirements. However, additive manufacturing of soft polymeric materials using melt‐based fused deposition modeling is challenging due to issues such as low column strength, high melt viscosity, poor adhesion with the print bed, and weak layer‐to‐layer adhesion. This work focused on the development of soft thermoplastic elastomeric nanocomposite materials based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and styrene‐isoprene‐styrene (SIS) triblock copolymer by direct ink writing (DIW) based additive manufacturing technique. The extrudability and printability of the developed SIS‐rGO inks with varying rGO loading are investigated from shear viscosity and pressure drop analysis across different zones of the nozzle. Developed 3D printed nanocomposites showed good mechanical properties such as high elongation at break (≥ 2000%) and high tensile strength (5–11 MPa). Microstructures of 3D printed samples and the distribution of rGO nanosheets in the SIS matrix are analyzed from XRD and TEM. Dielectric constant of 3D printed nanocomposites increased ≈6 times for the 7 wt.% loaded rGO nanocomposite compared to the pristine SIS. Additionally, the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) by absorption is also found to increase with rGO loading in the 3D‐printed samples.
Flexible P(VDF–TrFE)/BNT–BT composite films and their dielectric, ferroelectric and energy storage properties
P. S. Lekshmi Priya, S. Behera, S. Parida, Abhisek Choudhary, Dhiraj Kumar Rana
Journal of Materials Research, 2024
Functional and ultrastretchable thermoplastic elastomeric materials: Influence of carbon dots on fluorescence, dielectric and mechanical properties
Rohit Shrikhande, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Aniruddha Molla, Gih‐Keong Lau, Shib Shankar Banerjee
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2024
Carbon dots (CDs) are an interesting nanomaterial due to their tunable photoluminescence and other functional properties. Herein, by introducing amine‐functionalized CDs nanoparticles onto macromolecular chains of maleic anhydride grafted styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) via a possible ring‐opening reaction of anhydride with amine, a mechanically robust and ultrastretchable thermoplastic elastomeric materials with fluorescence and dielectric functionality was developed. The amine‐functionalized CDs nanoparticles were synthesized from pyrene precursor by hydrothermal treatment. The transmission electron micrograph, Raman, Fourier transform infrared, and x‐ray photoelectron spectra confirmed the formation of highly crystalline graphitized structure of the CDs nanoparticles. Fluorescence and UV–Vis spectroscopy were used to evaluate the optical properties of the developed materials. The developed CDs/SEBS‐g‐MA nanocomposites exhibited strong intense green fluorescence compared with the pure SEBS‐g‐MA film. The thermal stability of the developed nanocomposites was improved by an increase of the Tmax by about 18°C. In addition, the developed composite showed high stretchability (strain at break ~1000%), good mechanical strength, and dielectric properties (room temperature dielectric constant ~5.2). The enhanced dielectric property of the developed composites may be due to the space charge accumulation and induced interfacial polarization at the filler–matrix interface.
Ultra-stretchable thermoplastic elastomeric materials based on styrene–isoprene–styrene triblock copolymer: Influence of calcium copper titanate on mechanical and dielectric properties
Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Pratip Sankar Banerjee, Soutik Betal, Shib Shankar Banerjee
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2024
Conventional charge storage devices made of ceramic materials have limited deformability and configurability due to their extreme stiffness. The high demand for compliant dielectrics has led researchers to look beyond conventional ceramics, despite their very high dielectric properties. In this work, a mechanically robust, highly‐flexible and ultra‐stretchable thermoplastic elastomeric material with dielectric characteristics has been fabricated by introducing calcium copper titanate [CaCu3Ti4O12] (CCTO) dielectric material onto macromolecular chains of styrene–isoprene–styrene (SIS) triblock copolymer via a solution‐based polymer processing technique. CCTO powders have been synthesized using sol–gel technique. The resulting composite is ultra‐stretchable with strain at break of ~3200% and has high dielectric permittivity of ~10. High dielectric property is attributed to the well‐dispersed dielectric CCTO fillers within the SIS matrix, which provide sites for interfacial polarization and space charge accumulation. The influence of CCTO on dielectric properties has also been validated using the modified Cole–Cole model.
Maxillofacial Prosthesis Materials: Current Challenges and Effect of Tropical Environment on Physico-Mechanical Properties
Ranjana T, Bhushan Gulab Patil, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Veena Jain, Shib Shankar Banerjee
Polymer Plastics Technology and Materials, 2024
Maxillofacial prosthesis play an important role in the rehabilitation of patients with facial defects resulting from trauma, surgery or congenital anomalies. This review article discusses different categories of materials including acrylic resin, vinyl polymer, chlorinated polyethylene, polyurethane and silicone elastomers and highlights their advantages and limitations. In particular, the current materials used in maxillofacial prosthetics, i.e. silicone material, RTV (room-temperature vulcanized) silicone and HTV (high-temperature vulcanized) silicone are highlighted focusing on the prevailing challenges and their physico-mechanical properties for maxillofacial prosthesis application. Finally, the effect of tropical climate and further perspectives on RTV and HTV based maxillofacial materials are critically discussed to motivate potential research in this area.
Structural, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties of a hot-pressed P(VDF-TrFE)-(0.67BiFeO3–0.33BaTiO3) composite
P. S. Lekshmipriya, Saubhagyalaxmi Behera, Sabyasachi Parida, Abhisek Choudhary, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Prasant Kumar Dash
Journal of Materials Science Materials in Electronics, 2024
Preparation and characterization of soft and ultra-stretchable multifunctional thermoplastic elastomeric materials
Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Pratip Sankar Banerjee, Shib Shankar Banerjee
Journal of Materials Science, 2023
Influence of microstructural alterations of liquid metal and its interfacial interactions with rubber on multifunctional properties of soft composite materials
Pratip Sankar Banerjee, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Shib Shankar Banerjee
Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 2022
An easy synthesis of carbon-supported silver–cobalt bimetallic nanoparticles to study the electrocatalytic performance in alkaline borohydride fuel cell
Santanu Dey, Subhamay Pramanik, Pradipta Chakraborty, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Soumen Basu
Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, 2022
Enhanced electrical and magnetic properties of Sm-doped YCrO3 nanoparticles
Pradipta Chakraborty, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Soumen Basu
Bulletin of Materials Science, 2021
Surfactant-free synthesis of carbon-supported silver (Ag/C) nanobars as an efficient electrocatalyst for alcohol tolerance and oxidation of sodium borohydride in alkaline medium
Santanu Dey, Pradipta Chakraborty, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Subhamay Pramanik, Soumen Basu
SN Applied Sciences, 2021
Resistive memory device with piezoelectric and ferroelectric thin films by solution synthesis
Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Soumen Basu
Chemical Solution Synthesis for Materials Design and Thin Film Device Applications, 2021
Electrical modulus and impedance spectroscopy of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles embedded into the PVA matrix
Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Shovan Kumar Kundu, Soumen Basu
Aip Conference Proceedings, 2020
Synthesis, characterization and electrical transport properties of Co-doped YCrO3
Pradipta Chakraborty, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Shovan Kumar Kundu, Soumen Basu
Aip Conference Proceedings, 2020
Development of organic-inorganic flexible PVDF-LaFeO3 nanocomposites for the enhancement of electrical, ferroelectric and magnetic properties
Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Vivek Mehta, Shovan Kumar Kundu, Soumen Basu
Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2020
Observation of room temperature multiferroic and electrical properties in gadolinium ferrite nanoparticles
Shovan Kumar Kundu, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Soumen Basu
Modern Physics Letters B, 2019
Enhanced multiferroic, magnetodielectric and electrical properties of Sm doped Lanthanum ferrite nanoparticles
Shovan Kumar Kundu, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Laxmikanta Karmakar, Debajyoti Das, Soumen Basu
Journal of Materials Science Materials in Electronics, 2019
Enhancement of electrical and magnetodielectric properties of BiFeO3 incorporated PVDF flexible nanocomposite films
Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Shovan Kumar Kundu, Ram Janay Choudhary, Soumen Basu
Materials Research Express, 2019
Influence of manganese on multiferroic and electrical properties of lanthanum ferrite nanoparticles
Shovan Kumar Kundu, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Amit Banerjee, Debajyoti Das, Soumen Basu
Materials Research Express, 2019
Electrical and room temperature multiferroic properties of polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites doped with nickel ferrite nanoparticles
Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Suresh Kumar Singh, Shovan Kumar Kundu, Subir Roy, S. Angappane, Soumen Basu
New Journal of Chemistry, 2019
Electrical and magnetic properties of polyvinyl alcohol-cobalt ferrite nanocomposite films
Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Suresh Kumar Singh, Shovan Kumar Kundu, Ram Janay Choudhary, Soumen Basu
Bulletin of Materials Science, 2018
Thermal and electrical transport properties of polyvinyl alcohol and bismuth ferrite nanocomposites film
Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Shovan Kumar Kundu, Soumen Basu
Aip Conference Proceedings, 2017
Relaxor ferroelectric behavior of "a" site deficient Bismuth doped Barium Titanate ceramic
T. Badapanda, V. Senthil, D. K. Rana, S. Panigrahi, S. Anwar
Journal of Electroceramics, 2012

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Microstructure-Driven Mechanical and Thermal Behavior of Skin-Like Soft Liquid Metal/Elastomer Composite Materials
S Chakraborti, PS Banerjee, DK Rana, S Jena, SS Banerjee
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B , 2026
2026
Additive Manufacturing of Styrene‐Isoprene‐Styrene Block Copolymer Based Soft Thermoplastic Elastomeric Nanocomposites: Influence of Reduced Graphene Oxide on Microstructural …
Arun Kumar, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Pulak Mohan Pandey, Chandi Sasmal, Shib ...
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, 2400409 , 2025
2025
Citations: 4
Maxillofacial Prosthesis Materials: Current Challenges and Effect of Tropical Environment on Physico-Mechanical Properties.
BG Patil, DK Rana, V Jain, SS Banerjee
Polymer-Plastics Technology & Materials 63 (18) , 2024
2024
Citations: 3
Flexible P (VDF–TrFE)/BNT–BT composite films and their dielectric, ferroelectric and energy storage properties
PS Lekshmi Priya, S Behera, S Parida, A Choudhary, DK Rana
Journal of Materials Research 39 (18), 2553-2564 , 2024
2024
Citations: 3
Functional and ultrastretchable thermoplastic elastomeric materials: Influence of carbon dots on fluorescence, dielectric and mechanical properties
R Shrikhande, DK Rana, A Molla, GK Lau, SS Banerjee
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, e55608 , 2024
2024
Citations: 4
Structural, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties of a hot-pressed P(VDF-TrFE)-(0.67BiFeO 3 –0.33BaTiO 3 ) composite
PS Lekshmipriya, S Behera, S Parida, A Choudhary, DK Rana, PK Dash
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics 35 (3), 262 , 2024
2024
Citations: 12
Ultra‐stretchable thermoplastic elastomeric materials based on styrene–isoprene–styrene triblock copolymer: Influence of calcium copper titanate on mechanical and dielectric …
DK Rana, PS Banerjee, S Betal, SS Banerjee
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, e54857 , 2023
2023
Citations: 5
Preparation and characterization of soft and ultra-stretchable multifunctional thermoplastic elastomeric materials
DK Rana, PS Banerjee, SS Banerjee
Journal of Materials Science 58 (14), 6375-6390 , 2023
2023
Citations: 11
Influence of microstructural alterations of liquid metal and its interfacial interactions with rubber on multifunctional properties of soft composite materials
PS Banerjee, DK Rana, SS Banerjee
Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 308, 102752 , 2022
2022
Citations: 44
An easy synthesis of carbon-supported silver–cobalt bimetallic nanoparticles to study the electrocatalytic performance in alkaline borohydride fuel cell
S Dey, S Pramanik, P Chakraborty, DK Rana, S Basu
Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 52 (2), 247-258 , 2022
2022
Citations: 20
Surfactant-free synthesis of carbon-supported silver (Ag/C) nanobars as an efficient electrocatalyst for alcohol tolerance and oxidation of sodium borohydride in alkaline medium
S Dey, P Chakraborty, DK Rana, S Pramanik, S Basu
SN Applied Sciences 3 (6), 617 , 2021
2021
Citations: 18
Enhanced electrical and magnetic properties of Sm-doped YCrO 3 nanoparticles
P Chakraborty, DK Rana, S Basu
Bulletin of Materials Science 44 (2), 133 , 2021
2021
Citations: 8
Resistive memory device with piezoelectric and ferroelectric thin films by solution synthesis
DK Rana, S Basu
Chemical Solution Synthesis for Materials Design and Thin Film Device … , 2021
2021
Synthesis, characterization and electrical transport properties of co-doped YCrO 3
P Chakraborty, DK Rana, SK Kundu, S Basu
AIP Conference Proceedings 2265 (1), 030450 , 2020
2020
Electrical modulus and impedance spectroscopy of CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles embedded into the PVA matrix
DK Rana, SK Kundu, S Basu
AIP Conference Proceedings 2265 (1), 030446 , 2020
2020
Citations: 5
Development of organic-inorganic flexible PVDF-LaFeO3 nanocomposites for the enhancement of electrical, ferroelectric and magnetic properties
DK Rana, V Mehta, SK Kundu, S Basu
Materials Chemistry and Physics 242, 122491 , 2020
2020
Citations: 22
Observation of room temperature multiferroic and electrical properties in gadolinium ferrite nanoparticles
SK Kundu, DK Rana, S Basu
Modern Physics Letters B 33 (21), 1950243 , 2019
2019
Citations: 4
Enhanced multiferroic, magnetodielectric and electrical properties of Sm doped Lanthanum ferrite nanoparticles
SK Kundu, DK Rana, L Karmakar, D Das, S Basu
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics 30 (11), 10694-10710 , 2019
2019
Citations: 22
Enhancement of electrical and magnetodielectric properties of BiFeO3 incorporated PVDF flexible nanocomposite films
DK Rana, SK Kundu, RJ Choudhary, S Basu
Materials Research Express 6 (8), 0850d9 , 2019
2019
Citations: 21
Influence of manganese on multiferroic and electrical properties of lanthanum ferrite nanoparticles
SK Kundu, DK Rana, A Banerjee, D Das, S Basu
Materials Research Express 6 (8), 085032 , 2019
2019
Citations: 9

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Electrical and room temperature multiferroic properties of polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites doped with nickel ferrite nanoparticles
DK Rana, SK Singh, SK Kundu, S Roy, S Angappane, S Basu
New Journal of Chemistry 43 (7), 3128-3138 , 2019
2019
Citations: 87
Influence of microstructural alterations of liquid metal and its interfacial interactions with rubber on multifunctional properties of soft composite materials
PS Banerjee, DK Rana, SS Banerjee
Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 308, 102752 , 2022
2022
Citations: 44
Electrical and magnetic properties of polyvinyl alcohol–cobalt ferrite nanocomposite films
DK Rana, SK Singh, SK Kundu, RJ Choudhary, S Basu
Bulletin of Materials Science 41 (4), 92 , 2018
2018
Citations: 42
Relaxor ferroelectric behavior of “A” site deficient Bismuth doped Barium Titanate ceramic
T Badapanda, V Senthil, DK Rana, S Panigrahi, S Anwar
Journal of electroceramics 29 (2), 117-124 , 2012
2012
Citations: 29
Development of organic-inorganic flexible PVDF-LaFeO3 nanocomposites for the enhancement of electrical, ferroelectric and magnetic properties
DK Rana, V Mehta, SK Kundu, S Basu
Materials Chemistry and Physics 242, 122491 , 2020
2020
Citations: 22
Enhanced multiferroic, magnetodielectric and electrical properties of Sm doped Lanthanum ferrite nanoparticles
SK Kundu, DK Rana, L Karmakar, D Das, S Basu
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics 30 (11), 10694-10710 , 2019
2019
Citations: 22
Enhancement of electrical and magnetodielectric properties of BiFeO3 incorporated PVDF flexible nanocomposite films
DK Rana, SK Kundu, RJ Choudhary, S Basu
Materials Research Express 6 (8), 0850d9 , 2019
2019
Citations: 21
An easy synthesis of carbon-supported silver–cobalt bimetallic nanoparticles to study the electrocatalytic performance in alkaline borohydride fuel cell
S Dey, S Pramanik, P Chakraborty, DK Rana, S Basu
Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 52 (2), 247-258 , 2022
2022
Citations: 20
Surfactant-free synthesis of carbon-supported silver (Ag/C) nanobars as an efficient electrocatalyst for alcohol tolerance and oxidation of sodium borohydride in alkaline medium
S Dey, P Chakraborty, DK Rana, S Pramanik, S Basu
SN Applied Sciences 3 (6), 617 , 2021
2021
Citations: 18
Structural, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties of a hot-pressed P(VDF-TrFE)-(0.67BiFeO 3 –0.33BaTiO 3 ) composite
PS Lekshmipriya, S Behera, S Parida, A Choudhary, DK Rana, PK Dash
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics 35 (3), 262 , 2024
2024
Citations: 12
Preparation and characterization of soft and ultra-stretchable multifunctional thermoplastic elastomeric materials
DK Rana, PS Banerjee, SS Banerjee
Journal of Materials Science 58 (14), 6375-6390 , 2023
2023
Citations: 11
Influence of manganese on multiferroic and electrical properties of lanthanum ferrite nanoparticles
SK Kundu, DK Rana, A Banerjee, D Das, S Basu
Materials Research Express 6 (8), 085032 , 2019
2019
Citations: 9
Enhanced electrical and magnetic properties of Sm-doped YCrO 3 nanoparticles
P Chakraborty, DK Rana, S Basu
Bulletin of Materials Science 44 (2), 133 , 2021
2021
Citations: 8
Ultra‐stretchable thermoplastic elastomeric materials based on styrene–isoprene–styrene triblock copolymer: Influence of calcium copper titanate on mechanical and dielectric …
DK Rana, PS Banerjee, S Betal, SS Banerjee
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, e54857 , 2023
2023
Citations: 5
Electrical modulus and impedance spectroscopy of CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles embedded into the PVA matrix
DK Rana, SK Kundu, S Basu
AIP Conference Proceedings 2265 (1), 030446 , 2020
2020
Citations: 5
Additive Manufacturing of Styrene‐Isoprene‐Styrene Block Copolymer Based Soft Thermoplastic Elastomeric Nanocomposites: Influence of Reduced Graphene Oxide on Microstructural …
Arun Kumar, Dhiraj Kumar Rana, Pulak Mohan Pandey, Chandi Sasmal, Shib ...
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, 2400409 , 2025
2025
Citations: 4
Functional and ultrastretchable thermoplastic elastomeric materials: Influence of carbon dots on fluorescence, dielectric and mechanical properties
R Shrikhande, DK Rana, A Molla, GK Lau, SS Banerjee
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, e55608 , 2024
2024
Citations: 4
Observation of room temperature multiferroic and electrical properties in gadolinium ferrite nanoparticles
SK Kundu, DK Rana, S Basu
Modern Physics Letters B 33 (21), 1950243 , 2019
2019
Citations: 4
Maxillofacial Prosthesis Materials: Current Challenges and Effect of Tropical Environment on Physico-Mechanical Properties.
BG Patil, DK Rana, V Jain, SS Banerjee
Polymer-Plastics Technology & Materials 63 (18) , 2024
2024
Citations: 3
Flexible P (VDF–TrFE)/BNT–BT composite films and their dielectric, ferroelectric and energy storage properties
PS Lekshmi Priya, S Behera, S Parida, A Choudhary, DK Rana
Journal of Materials Research 39 (18), 2553-2564 , 2024
2024
Citations: 3

Dhiraj Kumar Rana

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Scopus Publications

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS