Lead-free compound $(Na_{0.5}Bi_{0.5})(Zr_{0.75}Ti_{0.25})O_3$ was prepared using conventional ceramic technique at $1070^{\circ}C$/4h in air atmosphere. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the formation of single-phase orthorhombic structure. Permittivity data showed low temperature coefficient of capacitance ($T_{CC}{\approx}5%$) up to $100^{\circ}C$. Complex impedance studies indicated the presence of grain boundary effect, non-Debye type dielectric relaxation and evidences of a negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The ac conductivity data were used to evaluate the density of states at Fermi level and apparent activation energy of the compound.

Incorporation of polar functional moieties into polyethylene (PE) film has been achieved by graft copolymerization of polar monomers such as methacrylic acid (MAAc) and acrylamide (AAm) on to PE film, preirradiated with ${\gamma}$-rays from $^{60}Co$ source, using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator in aqueous medium. Percentage of grafting of MAAc and AAm was determined as a function of irradiation dose, monomer and initiator concentration, temperature, reaction time and amount of water. Maximum percentage of grafting of MAAc (1453%) and AAm (21.28%) was obtained at [MAAc] = $235.3{\times}10^{-2}$ mol/L, [AAm] = $23.4{\times}10^{-2}$ mol/L, [BPO] = $5.5{\times}10^{-2}$ mol/L and $16.5{\times}10^{-2}$ mol/L at $80^{\circ}C$, $90^{\circ}C$ in 180 min and 90 min respectively. The grafted PE films were characterized by FTIR, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) Scanning Electron Micrography (SEM) and X-ray diffraction methods. Some selective properties of grafted films such as swelling behavior, ion and metal uptake have been carried out. The biodegradation studies of the grafted PE films have also been investigated. The grafted films developed superior swelling behavior with maximum swelling (480%) in water as compared to pristine PE (13.55%), better thermal stability and ion and metal uptake studies showed promising results that can be effectively used for desalination of brackish water and separation of metals from the industrial effluents.

The transition metal salt doped solid polymer electrolyte [TSPE] were prepared with HPMC as a host polymer. The virgin and doped films were prepared by solution-casting method and investigated using wide angle X-ray scattering method. Micro structural parameters like lattice strain (g%), stacking/twin faults, the average number of unit cells counted in a direction perpendicular to the Bragg's plane (hkl) spacing of (hkl) planes dhkl, crystallite size Ds, distortion width, standard deviation were determined by whole pattern powder fitting (WPPF) method, which is an extension of single order method. It is found that the crystallite size decreases with the increase in the content of $FeCl_3$. This decrease is due to increase in localized breaking of polymer network which also accounts for the amorphous nature of the material. The filler inorganic salt $FeCl_3$ acts as plasticizer. FTIR study also confirms and justifies the interaction between the polymer and in-organic salt in the matrix. Physical properties like mechanical stability and Ac conductivity in these films are in conformity with the X-ray results.

Enantioselective macromer of trimesic acid was prepared using S(-) menthol with trimesoyl chloride on polyimide (PI) ultrafiltration membrane. The chemical composition of macromer as well as polyimide ultrafiltration membrane was determined by ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy. The optical resolution of chiral alcohols was performed in pressure driven process. The effect of monomer solutions concentration, effect of air-drying time of S(-) menthol solution, effect of reaction time, effect of operating pressure, effect of feed concentration of racemate on the performance of macromer was studied. The synthesised material exhibits separation of chiral alcohols (menthol ~23% and sobrelol ~21%).

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is a rapidly developing field in environmental engineering. It has a great potential to cope with the increasing pollution in the air. The addition of a photocatalyst to ordinary building materials such as tiles, concrete, paints, creates environmental friendly materials by which air pollution or pollution of the surface itself can be controlled and diminished. This work reports the results of the laboratory research, especially carried out towards air purifying action and self-cleaning measurements. In particular the research was focused on the study of the photocatalytic behavior of industrially prepared tiles produced starting from commercial micro-sized $TiO_2$. Air purification action has been investigated through NOx degradation tests. On the contrary, the degradation of pollution at the surface, also called as self-cleaning action, is verified by the degradation of two different organic dyes: Rhodamine B (red color) and Metanil yellow (yellow).