I would like to thank my advisor, Professor Vicki H. Grassian, for supporting me during last one and half years in several ways. Upon everything thing I am grateful to her for helping me to wake up the "strong woman" inside me. Your "words and decisions" made me became stronger in my academic life. Many thanks also to my committee members, Professors Sarah Larsen, Ed Gillan, for all of your support. A special thank you goes to all the members of Grassian research group specially Dr. Larissa Stebanovna, Dr. Shaowei-bian, Chia-ming Wu, Gayan Rubasinghege and Imali Mudunkotuwa for their valuable support. I would also like to mention all my teachers since my high school time for showing me the correct path in my life. Next, I would like to thank all my friends for their valuable support. All of you were there for me in my "ups and downs" and your words encouraged me a lot to achieve my goal. A special thank goes to my family. Their support was so precious. I should specially mention my mother; you were my first ever chemistry teacher. Thank you very much for showing me the "beauty" of chemistry when I was a small kid. Finally, thanks to my loving Lahiru for his kind, valuable support. You were with me days and nights when I was working in the lab. Honestly, I don't have words to express my thanks to you for everything you have done for me.