The room temperature structure of three compounds belonging to the Aurivillius family (𝑛 = 4), ABi₄Ti₄O₁₅ (A = Ba, Sr or Pb) has been analysed. BaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ crystallizes in a tetragonal 𝐼4/𝑚𝑚𝑚 space group whereas SrBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ and PbBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ crystallize in the orthorhombic space group $A2_1am$. The starting model for the Sr and Pb analogues was derived from ab initio methods and refined using the Rietveld method. The cations Ba and Sr are disordered over the Bi sites while the Pb cation is found exclusively in the [Bi₂O₂]²⁺ layers. The TiO₆ octahedra are tilted with the Ti–O bonds forming zigzag chains along the `𝑐’ axis. The displacement of Bi atoms along the `𝑎’ axis might be responsible for ferroelectricity in these compounds. The high temperature X-ray data above $T_c$ indicate no structural transition for A = Ba and Pb while A = Sr transforms to the tetragonal structure.

Monoclinic ZrMo₂O₈ was synthesized via solid state method and single crystals of the title compound have been grown by the hydrothermal method. The crystals belong to monoclinic crystal system with space group 𝐶2/c (No. 15) with 𝑎 = 11.4243(19) Å, 𝑏 = 7.9297(6) Å, 𝑐 = 7.4610(14) Å and 𝛽 = 122.15(2)°, 𝑍 = 4. The bandgap of the compound was 2.57 eV. Unlike the other polymorphs of ZrMo₂O₈, the monoclinic form has unique crystallographic features with ZrO₈ and Mo₂O₈ polyhedra. The photocatalytic activity of this compound has been investigated for the first time for the degradation of various dyes under UV irradiation and has been compared with the photoactivity of the trigonal form of ZrMo₂O₈. It has been observed that this compound exhibits specificity towards the degradation of cationic dyes.

A soluble-lead redox flow battery with corrugated-graphite sheet and reticulated-vitreous carbon as positive and negative current collectors is assembled and performance tested. In the cell, electrolyte comprising of 1.5M lead (II) methanesulfonate and 0.9 M methanesulfonic acid with sodium salt of lignosulfonic acid as additive is circulated through the reaction chamber at a flow rate of 50 ml min^-1. During the charge cycle, pure lead (Pb) and lead dioxide (PbO₂) from the soluble lead (II) species are electrodeposited onto the surface of the negative and positive current collectors, respectively. Both the electrodeposited materials are characterized by XRD, XPS and SEM. Phase purity of synthesized lead (II) methanesulfonate is unequivocally established by single crystal X-ray diffraction followed by profile refinements using high resolution powder data. During the discharge cycle, electrodeposited Pb and PbO₂ are dissolved back into the electrolyte. Since lead ions are produced during oxidation and reduction at the negative and positive plates, respectively there is no risk of crossover during discharge cycle, preventing the possibility of lowering the overall efficiency of the cell. As the cell employs a common electrolyte, the need of employing a membrane is averted. It has been possible to achieve a capacity value of 114 mAh g−1 at a load current-density of 20 mA cm^-2 with the cell at a faradaic efficiency of 95%. The cell is tested for 200 cycles with little loss in its capacity and efficiency.