Welcome to the Homepage of
Dr. Pradip K. Bhowmik

Associate Professor of
Organic and Polymer Chemistry

Department of Chemistry
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 Maryland Parkway
Box 454003
Las Vegas, NV 89154-4003
Telephone: (702) 895-0885
Fax: (702) 895-4072
Email: pradip.bhowmik@unlv.edu

Education:
Ph.D., Organic/Polymer Chemistry, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 1990.
M.S., Physical/Organic Chemistry, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, 1987.
M.S., Physical/Inorganic Chemistry, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1977.
B.Sc. (Honors), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1975.
 
Major Teaching Responsibilities: 
Organic Chemistry, Green Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, and Materials Chemistry. 

Teaching Awards:
UNLV Foundation Distinguished Teacher Award 2004: University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).
Distinguished Teacher Award 2003: College of Sciences, UNLV.
Professor of the Year 2003: Association of Pre-Health Professionals (APHP), UNLV.
Professor of the Year 2001: Association of Pre-Health Professionals (APHP), UNLV. 

Research Interests:
Dr. Bhowmik has interests centering on organic synthesis and polymer synthesis in general.

Liquid-Crystalline Polymers. His principal research projects are in the broad field of liquid-crystalline polymers that typically include thermotropic liquid-crystalline polyesters, thermotropic and lyotropic liquid-crystalline ionic polymers (viologen polymers); thermotropic liquid-crystalline hydrogen bonded materials via supramolecular chemistry, and liquid-crystalline dendritic macromolecules and polyrotaxanes.

Light-Emitting Polymers. Recently, he is actively involved in the design and synthesis of poly(arylated-pyridinium salts) with organic counterions that exhibit both lyotropic liquid-crystalline and light-emitting properties. These polymers are targeted for the development of blue-light emitting polymers with the structural variations of both arylated-pyridinium moieties and organic counterions. They are of significant interest for combining light emitting properties with the self-organization of liquid-crystalline properties to produce linearly polarized electroluminescence. Since they are cationic polyelectrolytes, they can be useful partners for the build up of multilayer assemblies with anionic polyelectrolytes by the well-known sequential deposition technique to create a novel class of materials having specific functional properties-smart materials. All of these projects are the integral components for the development of materials science and engineering program.

Green Chemistry. In another project, he is developing room-temperature liquid-crystalline ionic salts that have great potential as organized reaction media for clean organic synthesis. It is targeted to develop green chemistry to strengthen the environmental chemistry program. Microwave chemistry both in organic synthesis as well as polymer synthesis is also an integral component for the development of green chemistry program.

Selected Publications:

1. M. A. Cheney, P. K. Bhowmik, S. Moriuchi, N. C. Birkner, V. F. Hodge, and S. E. Elkouz, “Synthesis and characterization of two phases of manganese oxide from decomposition of permanganate in concentrated sulfuric acid at ambient temperature,” Colloids and Surfaces A: Physiochem. Eng. Aspects 2007, 307, 62-70.

2. P. K. Bhowmik, A. K. Nedeltchev, and H. Han, “Synthesis, optical, and thermal properties of conjugated, bispyridyl and tetrapyridyl compounds by Knoevenagel reaction,” Tetrahedron Letters 2007, 48, 5383-5387.

3. P. K. Bhowmik, X. Wang, and H. Han, “Main chain, thermotropic, liquid crystalline, hydrogen-bonded of 4,4'-bipyridyl with 4,4'-dicarboxy-α,ω-diphenoxyalkanes,” Liq. Cryst. 2007, 34, 841-854.

4. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, and A. K. Nedeltchev, “Synthesis and characterization of poly(pyridinium salt)s with anthracene moieties exhibiting both lyotropic liquid-crystalline and UV light-emitting properties,” Polymer 2006, 47, 8281-8288.

5. A. Biswas, R. L. Shogren, D. G. Stevenson, J. L. Willett, and P. K. Bhowmik, “Ionic liquids as solvents for biopolymers: Acylation of starch and zein protein,” Carbohydrate Polymers 2006, 66, 546-550.

6. M. A. Cheney, N. R. Birkner, L. Ma, T. Hartmann, P. K. Bhowmik, V. F. Hodge, and S. M. Steinberg, “Synthesis and characterization of inorganic double helices of cryptomelane nanomaterials,” Colloids and Surfaces A: Physiochem. Eng. Aspects 2006, 289, 185-192.

7. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, I. K. Nedeltchev, J. J. Cebe, S.-W. Kang, and S. Kumar, “Synthesis and characterization of ionic liquids: viologen bis { tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate } salts,” Liquid Crystals 2006, 33, 891-906.

8. H. Han, P. R. Vantine, A. K. Nedeltchev, and P. K. Bhowmik, “Main-Chain Ionene Polymers Based on trans-1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene Exhibiting Both Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline and Light-Emitting Properties,” J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2006, 44, 1541-1554.

9. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, and A. K. Nedeltchev , “Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(pyridinium salt)s with Organic Counterions Exhibiting Both Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline and Light-Emitting Properties,” J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2006, 44, 1028-1041.

10. P. K. Bhowmik, M. A. Cheney, H. Han, and L. Ma, “Isothermal Titration Calorimetry and Transmission Electron Microscopy of Main-Chain Viologen Polymer Containing Bromide as Counterions,” Polym. Prepr.(Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Polym. Chem.) 2006, 47(2), 334-335.

11. A. Biswas, R. L. hogren, D. G. Stevenson, J. L. Willett, and P. K. Bhowmik, “Ionic Liquids as Solvents for Biopolymers: Acylation of Starch and Zein Protein,” Polym. Prepr. (Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Polym. Chem.) 2005, 46(2), 924-925.

12. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, A. K. Nedeltchev, and Z. Wang, “Synthesis and Characterization Poly(pyridinium salt)s with Organic Counterions Exhibiting Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline Properties,” Polym. Prepr. (Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Polym. Chem.) 2005, 46(1), 799-800.

13. A. K. Nedeltchev, H. Han, P. K. Bhowmik, “Synthesis and Characterization of Anthracene Polymer with Lawesson’s Reagent,” Polym. Prepr. (Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Polym. Chem.) 2005, 46(1), 791-792.

14. P. R. Vantine, H. Han, A. K. Nedeltchev, and P. K. Bhowmik, “Main-Chain Viologen Polymers with Organic Counterions Exhibiting Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline Properties,” Polym. Prepr. (Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Polym. Chem.) 2005, 46(1), 680-681.

15. H. Han, P. R. Vantine, A. K. Nedeltchev, and P. K. Bhowmik, “Main-Chain Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline Ionene Polymers Based on Trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene,” Polym. Prepr. (Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Polym. Chem.) 2005, 46(1), 678-679.

16. P. K. Bhowmik, P. R. Vantine, A. K. Nedeltchev, and H. Han, “Main-Chain Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline Ionene Polymers Based on 1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethane,” Polym. Prepr. (Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Polym. Chem.) 2005, 46(1), 676-677.

17. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, I. K. Nedeltchev, and J. J. Cebe, “Room-Temperature Thermotropic Ionic Liquid Crystals: Viologen Bis(triflimide) Salts,” Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals 2004, 419, 27-46.

18. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, J. J. Cebe, I. K. Nedeltchev, S.-W Kang, and S. Kumar “Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(pyridinium salt)s with Organic Counterions Exhibiting Both Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline and Light-Emitting Properties,” Macromolecules 2004, 37, 2688-2694.

19. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, J. J. Cebe, R. A. Burchett, B. Acharya, and S. Kumar, “Ambient-temperature thermotropic liquid-crystalline viologen bis(triflimide) salts,” Liquid Crystals 2003,30,1433-1440.

20. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, J. J. Cebe, and I. K. Nedeltchev, “Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(pyridinium salt)s with Organic Counterions Exhibiting Light-Emitting Properties,” Polym. Prepr., Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Chem. 2003, 44(2), 847-848.

21. P. K. Bhowmik, W. Xu, J. J. Cebe, and H. Han,“Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Main-Chain Viologen Polymers: Homopolymer of 4,4' -Bipyridyl with the Ditosylate of 2,5-Hexanediol and its Copolymers with the Ditosylate of 1,10-Decanediol,” Polym. Prepr., Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Chem. 2003, 44(2), 687-688.

22. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, J. J. Cebe, and I. K. Nedeltchev, “Synthesis and Characterization of Ionic, Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline Polyesters,” Polym. Prepr., Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Chem. 2003, 44(2), 663-664.

23. P. K. Bhowmik, X. Wang, and H. Han, “Main-Chain, Thermotropic, Liquid-Crystalline, Hydrogen-Bonded Polymers of 4,4' -Bipyridyl with Aliphatic Dicarboxylic Acids,” J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2003, 41, 1282-1295.

24. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, J. J. Cebe, and I. K. Nedeltchev, “Ambient-Temperature Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline Viologens,” Polym. Prepr., Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Chem. 2002, 43(2), 1385-1386.

25. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, J. J. Cebe, and I. K. Nedeltchev, “Main-Chain Viologen Polymers with Triflimide Counterion Exhibiting Lyotropic Liquid-Crystalline Properties in Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids,” Polym. Prepr., Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Chem. 2002, 43(2), 1329-1330.

26. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, J. J. Cebe, and I. K. Nedeltchev, “Synthesis and Characterization of Ionic Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline Polyester,” Polym. Prepr., Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Chem. 2002, 43(2), 1140-1141.

27. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, J. J. Cebe, and I. K. Nedeltchev, “Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(Pyridinium Salt)s with Organic Counterions Exhibiting Light-Emitting Properties,” Polym. Prepr., Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Chem. 2002, 43(2), 987-988.

28. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, J. J. Cebe, and I. K. Nedeltchev, “Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(Pyridinium Salt)s with Organic Counterions Exhibiting Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline Properties,” Polym. Prepr., Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Chem. 2002, 43(2), 982-983.

29. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, and I. K. Nedeltchev, “Main-Chain Viologen Polymers with Triflimide Counterion Exhibiting Lyotropic Liquid-Crystalline Properties in Polar Organic Solvents,” J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2002, 40, 2015-2024.

30. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, J. J. Cebe, R. A. Burchett, and A. M. Sarker, “Main-Chain Viologen Polymers with Organic Counterions Exhibiting Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline and Fluorescent Properties,” J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2002, 40, 659-674.

31. P. K. Bhowmik, R. A. Burchett, H. Han, and J. J. Cebe, “Synthesis and characterization of poly(pyridinium salt)s with organic counterion exhibiting both lyotropic liquid-crystalline and light-emitting properties,” Polymer 2002, 43, 1953-1958.

32. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, J. J. Cebe, and R. A. Burchett, “Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polyesters of 4,4' -Biphenol and Phenyl-Substituted 4,4' -Biphenols with 4,4' -Oxybisbenzoic Acid,” J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2002, 40, 141-155.

33. P. K. Bhowmik, R. A. Burchett, H. Han, and J. J. Cebe, “Synthesis and Characterizationof Poly(pyridinium salt)s with Organic Counterion Exhibiting both Lyotropic Liquid-Crystalline and Light-Emitting Properties,” Macromolecules 2001, 34, 7579-7581.

34. P. K. Bhowmik, R. A. Burchett, H. Han, and J. J. Cebe, “Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(pyridinium salt)s with Organic Counterion Exhibiting both Lyotropic Liquid-Crystalline and Light-Emitting Properties,” J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2001, 39, 2710-2715.

35. P. K. Bhowmik, A. H. Molla, H. Han, M. E. Gangoda, and R. N. Bose, "Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Main-Chain Viologen Polymers: Homopolymer of 4,4'-Bipyridyl with the Ditosylate of Trans-1,4-Cyclohexanedimethanol and its Copolymers with the Ditosylate of 1,8-Octanediol," Macromolecules 1998, 31, 621-630.

36. H. Han and P. K. Bhowmik, "Wholly Aromatic Liquid-Crystalline Polyesters," Prog. Polym. Sci. 1997, 22, 1431-1502.

37. H. Han, P. K. Bhowmik, and K. C. Frisch, "Wholly Aromatic Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polyesters of 3,3'-Bis(Phenyl)-4,4'-Biphenol with 4,4'-Benzophenone Dicarboxylic Acid," J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 1997, 35, 769-785.

38. P. K. Bhowmik and H. Han, "Liquid Crystalline Polymers (Wholly Aromatic Polyesters)," Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia; Salamone, J. C., Ed; CRC: Boca Raton, 1996, Vol. 5, 3748-3753.

39. P. K. Bhowmik, H. Han, and R. A. Basheer, "Liquid Crystalline Polymers (Viologen: Thermotropic and Lyotropic)," Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia; Salamone, J. C., Ed.; CRC: Boca Raton, 1996, Vol. 5, 3741-3748.

40. P. K. Bhowmik, E. D. T. Atkins, R. W. Lenz, and H. Han, "Crystalline and Liquid Crystalline Polyesters of Phenyl-Substituted 4,4'-Biphenols. 5. Copolymers with 4,4'-Oxybis(Benzoic Acid)," Macromolecules 1996, 29, 3778-3786.

41. P. K. Bhowmik, E. D. T. Atkins, R. W. Lenz, and H. Han, "Crystalline and Liquid Crystalline Polyesters of Phenyl Substituted 4,4'-Biphenols and 1,1'-Binaphthyl-4,4'-Diol. 3. Copolymers with 6-Hydroxy-2-Naphthoic Acid," Macromolecules 1996, 29, 1910-1917.