Synthesis and characterization of dihydroxylammonium tetrachlorocuprate dihydrate crystals

A new hydroxylammonium compound, [(NH₃OH)₂CuCl₄], was synthesized and its crystals were grown at room temperature by slow evaporation of aqueous solutions. The crystals were characterized through powder XRD, thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), low temperature differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and FTIR spectra. The X‐ray powder diffraction confirms the crystallinity of the compound. A fitting decomposition pattern of the compound was formulated based on the TG and thereby confirming the formation of the compound in the stoichiometric ratio. The thermal anomalies occurring in the low temperature DSC indicate successive phase transitions. The low temperature phase transitions are attributed to the ordering of [NH₃OH]⁺ ions. While most of the phase transitions are of first order type, the one occurring at –126 °C is of second order. Two glass transitions occur when the compound was cooled between –157.9 and –136.9 °C. The characteristic vibration bands due to [NH₃OH]⁺ and CuClequation/tex2gif-stack-1.gif ions are observed in the IR spectra. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Thermal,phase transition and FTIR spectroscopic studies in tetraethylammonium trichlorocadmiate crystals

Single crystals of tetraethylammonium trichlorocadmiate were grown by slow evaporation of aqueous solutions at room temperature. The bright and transparent crystals obtained were characterized through FTIR spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric (TG and DTA) and low temperature DSC analyses. A fitting decomposition pattern for the title compound was formulated based on the TG thermogram which shows a two‐stage weight loss between 300°C and 800°C. In this temperature range the DTA curve shows endothermic dips supporting the formulated decomposition pattern. The thermal anomalies observed in the low temperature DSC both during the heating and cooling cycles indicate the occurrence of the first and second order structural phase transitions in the compound. The FTIR and far IR spectra show characteristic vibration frequencies due to [N(C₂H₅)₄]⁺ and CdCl₃^‐ ions. Detailed structural analysis of the compound is under progress. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis and characterization of methylammonium tetrachlorocuprate (II) dihydrate crystals

Single crystals of methylammonium tetrachlorocuprate (II) dihydrate were obtained by slow evaporation method at room temperature. The crystals were characterized through powder XRD, thermogravimetric (TG‐DTA), low temperature DSC studies and FTIR and far IR spectra. While the powder XRD confirms the crystallinity of the compound, the TG and DTA studies confirm the formation of the compound in the stoichiometric ratio and the presence of two water molecules of crystallization. The low temperature DSC study indicates a thermal anomaly at ‐3°C. The ordering of CH₃NH₃ group at low temperature causes phase transitions in the compound. The IR spectra characterize the various chemical bonding and water molecules in the compound. Laser Raman spectral studies under progress would help understand the mechanism of phase transitions at low temperatures. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis and thermal,phase transition and FTIR spectral characterization of tetraethylammonium tetrachlorocuprate (II) crystals

Single crystals of tetraethylammonium tetrachlorocuprate (II), [N(C₂H₅)₄]₂CuCl₄, were grown by slow evaporation method at room temperature. The crystals were characterized through powder XRD, thermogravimetric (TG‐DTA), low temperature differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies and FTIR spectroscopy. While the powder XRD pattern of the compound shows sharp Bragg peaks confirming the crystallinity of the compound, the TG‐DTA studies confirm formation of the compound in the stoichiometric ratio. The thermal anomalies observed in DSC curve at ‐120°C in the heating cycle and around ‐30°C in the cooling cycle indicate a first order phase transition. The phase transition was predicted to be associated with the ordering of CuCl₄^2‐ and successive long range orientation of [N(C₂H₅)₄]⁺ ions which are disordered at high temperatures. The cationic [N(C₂H₅)₄]⁺ plays a role in phase transitions at low temperatures. The sharp exothermic peak observed in high temperature DSC indicates a structural phase transition when [N(C₂H₅)₄]CuCl₃ is formed on heating the compound. The FTIR spectra of the compound characterize the various chemical bonding and water molecules adsorbed in the compound. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,spectral and thermal properties of non‐linear optical crystal ZnMg(SCN)4

Single crystals of zinc magnesium tetra thiocyanate [ZnMg(SCN)₄], a bimetallic thiocyanate complex, were grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique at room temperature. The bright, transparent and colourless crystals have well defined faces. The grown crystals were characterized through elemental analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC), Fourier Transform Infra red (FTIR) and Optical studies. The elemental analysis confirms the stoichiometry of the synthesized crystals. The compound crystallizes under monoclinic structure with lattice parameters a = 10.055 Å, b = 7.44 Å, c = 6.00 Å and β = 90.113°. The TGA indicates 25 % weight loss at 205°C from which the decomposition pattern is formulated. The DSC study indicates that the crystal undergoes only first order phase transitions. The FTIR spectrum indicates among others the presence of metal‐nitrogen and metal‐sulphur bonds thus confirming the formation of the complex. The second harmonic‐generation (SHG) was confirmed by the emission of green radiation using Nd: YAG laser. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis and characterization of (NH4)2CuBr2Cl2·2H2O crystals

Single crystals of a new compound, (NH₄)₂CuBr₂Cl₂.2H₂O, were grown from saturated aqueous solution at room temperature by slow evaporation method. The grown crystals were characterized through elemental, powder XRD, thermal and DSC analyses and FTIR and far IR spectra. The elemental analysis and the decomposition pattern formulated using the TG‐DTG studies confirm the stoichiometry of the compound. The crystallinity of the compound is confirmed from the powder XRD pattern. A preliminary single crystal X‐ray diffraction structural analysis reveals that the title compound belongs to the orthorhombic system with a = 7.7466 Å, b = 7.783 Å and c = 8.1211 Å. The low temperature DSC shows thermal anomalies at –161.1, –156.5, –152.4, –145.2, –134, –18.5, and 1.4°C during the heating run and at –4.3, –54.8, –66.1, –90.6, –109.7 and –147.2 °C during the cooling run. The thermal hysterses indicate first order phase transitions in the title compound at these temperatures. The FTIR spectra were used to assign the characteristic vibrational frequencies due to NH₄⁺, CuX₄^2– ions and other chemical bonds. The effect of substitution of two bromine atoms on the phase transitions of a closely related crystal, diammonium tetrachloro cuprate dihydrate is also discussed. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,crystal growth and properties of the charge transfer complex adduct of 2‐nitro aniline with picric acid – An organic non‐linear optical material

The organic NLO material 2‐nitro aniline and picric acid (2NAP) was synthesized, needle shaped single crystals of dimension 10 × 1 × 0.8 mm^‐3 were grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique from the saturated solution of the title compound in chloroform at ambient temperature. The material was characterized through elemental analysis, powder XRD, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and FTIR techniques. The various planes of reflection have been identified from the XRD powder pattern. The formation of the charge transfer complex was confirmed by UV‐VIS spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the crystals was investigated using TG/DTA analyses techniques. The second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the material was estimated using Nd: YAG laser as source. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,structural and thermal studies of tetrathioureacopper(I) chloride crystals

Tetrathioureacopper(I) chloride, hereafter abbreviated as TCC, was synthesised and single crystals were obtained from saturated aqueous solution by slow evaporation (solution growth) method at room temperature. The crystals obtained are bright, colourless and transparent having well defined external faces. The grown crystals were characterized through elemental analysis, single crystal X‐ray diffraction study, thermal analysis, electron spin resonance spectroscopy and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy. The elemental analysis confirms the stoichiometry of the compound. The single crystal diffraction studies indicate that TCC crystallises in the tetragonal lattice and the unit cell parameters are a = b = 13.4082 Å, c = 13.8074 Å, V = 2482.29 ų, α = β = γ = 90°. Space group and the number of molecules per unit cell (Z) are found to be P4₁2₁2 and 8 respectively. The TG curve of the sample shows a prolonged decomposition from 210 to 628.3 °C, from which the decomposition pattern has been formulated. The endothermic peaks in the DTA curve indicate melting and decomposition of the compound at 165.2 and 633.8 °C respectively. An exothermic peak in high temperature DSC indicates a phase transition in the compound at 274.8 °C. Thermal anomalies observed in the low temperature DSC at –163.3, –152.0, –141.5, –108.3, 1.0 and 12.1 °C in the heating run and –157.1 and –153.9 °C in the cooling run reveal first order phase transitions in the crystal. The peaks observed at –146.2 °C in both the heating and cooling runs suggest occurrence of a second order phase transition in this compound. The IR spectroscopic data were used to assign the characteristic vibrational frequencies of various groups present in the compound. The ESR study confirms that the copper is in the +1 oxidation state in the complex. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,characterization and structural phase transition studies in trismethylammonium pentachloro barium dihydrate single crystals

Single crystals of trismethylammonium pentachlorobarium dihydrate were grown by slow evaporation method at ambient temperature. The crystals were characterized through powder XRD, thermal, infrared and NMR spectral studies. While the powder XRD pattern confirms the crystallinity of the title compound, the TG indicates the removal of occluded and adsorbed water molecules from the crystal when it is heated up to 86 °C. The TG study also confirms the presence of two water molecules of crystallization which are dehydrated on heating the crystal between 107 °C and 150 °C. The anhydrous compound is found to be stable at least up to 900 °C. The DTA curve shows two endothermic dips corresponding to weight losses observed in the TG curve. The low temperature DSC study shows thermal anomalies during the heating and cooling cycles indicating both first and second order phase transitions. The high temperature DSC shows the stepwise dehydration indicating phase transitions at temperatures 103 °C and 145 °C. The characteristic vibrational frequencies due to methylammonium ion, BaCl₅ and other groups are assigned based on FTIR spectra. The NMR spectrum confirms the presence of protons of the methyl group and water of crystallization in the compound. In this paper, an attempt is also made to understand the effect of methyl group on the phase transitions of the compound in comparison with a closely related compound, trisammoniumpentachloro barium dihydrate. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis and characterization of potassium magnesium sulphate hexahydrate crystals

Potassium magnesium sulphate hexahydrate (picromerite) was synthesized and single crystals were obtained from saturated aqueous solution by slow evaporation method at room temperature. The crystals were bright, colourless and transparent having well defined external faces. The grown crystals were characterized through Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectral studies and thermal analysis. The FTIR data were used to assign the characteristic vibrational frequencies of the various chemical bonds in the compound. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic lattice with the space group P2₁/c. The thermogravimetry (TG) indicates the removal of only two water molecules around 100 °C. A suitable decomposition pattern was formulated based on the percentage weight losses observed in TG of the compound. The results of differential thermal analysis (DTA) conform to the results of TGA. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis carried out at high temperature suggests that the occurrence of two phase transitions in the crystal between 140 and 180 °C. When the crystal was cooled below the room temperature up to –170 °C, no thermal anomaly was observed. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,thermal and IR spectral characterization of ammonium tetrabromocuprate (II) dihydrate crystals

Single crystals of a new compound, ammonium tetrabromocuprate (II) dihydrate were obtained by slow evaporation method. The crystals were characterized through thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), low temperature differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) methods and infrared (IR) spectroscopic technique. While the TG study confirms the stoichiometry of the compound, the thermal hystereses in DSC indicate the occurrence of first order phase transitions in the compound at low temperatures. The FTIR spectrum of the compound characterizes the various chemical bond vibration frequencies. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,spectral, thermal and NLO properties of N,N ‐Dimethyl anilinium picrate

The crystalline substance N,N ‐dimethyl anilinium picrate(DMAP) was synthesized and the single crystals of the title compound were grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique at room temperature. The crystalline nature of the material has been confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction method. The elemental analysis data confirm the stoichiometry and hence the molecular formula of the synthesized material. The formation of the charge‐transfer complex has been confirmed by UV‐visible spectral data. The infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopic data indicate a charge transfer activity associated with a proton transfer from the acceptor to the donor followed by intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Thermal behavior and stability of crystal were studied using thermo gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA) techniques. The second harmonic generation (SHG) of the material was confirmed using Nd: YAG laser. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Thermal and infrared studies of calcium malate crystals grown in diffusion limited medium

Single crystals of the title compound Ca (C₄H₅O₅)₂.10H₂O are grown in silica gel using controlled chemical reaction method. Multifaceted single crystals of size up to 8 × 4 × 2 mm³ are obtained. Powder X‐ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern of the grown crystal and the Fourier Transform Infra‐Red (FTIR) spectrum in the range 400–4000 cm^–1 are recorded. The vibrational bands corresponding to different functional groups are assigned. Thermal decomposition stages observed in the Thermo‐gravimetric (TG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) studies are discussed. A six‐stage thermal decomposition scheme is proposed for the compound. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

X‐Ray Powder Diffraction,DTA and Vibrational Studies of CdNH4PO4.6H2O Crystals

Cadmium Ammonium Phosphate Hexahydrate (CAPH) is analogous to naturally occurring struvite. CAPH crystals are grown by slow evaporation technique. These crystals are characterised by X‐ray, TG‐DTA and Infra‐red studies. Powder X‐ray pattern indicates the orthorhombic crystal structure analogous to struvite. TG‐DTA analysis suggests loss of water of hydration (6H₂O) between 113 and 391°C. Later the substance melts and only Cd remains around 780 °C. Infra Red spectrum is characteristic of H₂O, PO₄^3‐ and NH₄⁺ radicals.     

Growth and characterization of 4‐Aminopyridinium‐4‐nitro phenolate single crystals

Organic optical material 4‐Aminopyridinium‐4‐nitro phenolate (4AP4NP) has been synthesized, and single crystals of size 20 x 14 x 6 mm³ have been grown from acetone solvent at room temperature by solvent evaporation technique. The grown crystals have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction to determine the cell parameters, and by FT‐IR technique to confirm the formation of the expected compound. The crystal belongs to monoclinic crystal system with space group P2₁/a.The structural perfection of the grown crystals has been analyzed by high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction (HRXRD) rocking curve measurements. The thermal stability of the compound has been determined by TG‐DTA curves. The transmittance of 4AP4NP has been used to determine the refractive index n; the extinction coefficient K and both the real ε_r and imaginary ε_i components of the dielectric constant as functions of photon energy. The optical band gap of 4AP4NP is 2.4 eV. The dielectric and mechanical behavior of the specimen was also studied. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and properties of an organometallic nonlinear optical crystal: bis(isothiocyanato)‐bis(4‐methylpyridine)zinc(II) (Zn(SCN)2(C6H7N)2)

Bis(isothiocyanato)‐bis(4‐methylpyridine)zinc(II)(Zn(SCN)₂(C₆H₇N)₂), (abbreviated as ZBNC) single crystals of optical quality have been grown from acetone solution by the slow temperature‐lowering method. Its solubilities at different temperatures in acetone were measured. The X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD) spectroscopy of ZBNC crystal was performed at room temperature. The second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency was determined by powder technique of Kurtz and Perry using Nd:YAG laser, which is equivalent to KDP crystal. The thermal decomposition process was characterized by thermal gravity and differential thermal analysis (TG\DTA). The specific heat of the crystal is 1440.67 J/mol·K at 325 K. The IR spectrum was recorded in the 500∼3500 cm^–1 region, using KBr pellets on a Nicolet 170sx FT‐IR spectrometer. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,crystal growth,spectral, thermal and optical properties of acenaphthene picrate

The crystalline material of acenaphthene picrate (ACP) was synthesized and the single crystals of the title compound grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. The solubility of the complex compound was estimated using different solvents as chloroform, ethanol, (1:1) chloroform ‐ acetone mixture. The material was characterized through elemental analysis; powder XRD, NMR and FTIR techniques. The various planes of reflection have been identified from the XRD powder pattern. The formation of the charge transfer complex was confirmed by UV‐VIS spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the crystals was studied using TG/DTA analyses techniques. The second harmonic generation (SHG) of the material was confirmed by using Nd: YAG laser. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The growth,spectral and thermal properties of the coordination compound crystal‐ strontium malate

Growth of single crystals of the title compound Sr(C₄H₄O₅).3H₂O is achieved using the gel diffusion technique. Multifaceted single crystals of size up to 4x3x3 mm³ are obtained. X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern of the grown crystal and the Fourier Transform Infra‐Red (FTIR) spectrum in the range 400‐4000 cm^‐1 are recorded. The vibrational bands corresponding to different functional groups are assigned. Thermal behavior of the material is investigated using Thermo Gravimetry (TG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). Thermal studies are indicative of a five‐stage decomposition scheme. © 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim     

Crystal growth and characterization of PbI2‐AgI binary system

The crystals of the binary system PbI₂‐AgI (PIAI) were obtained by heating the mixture of individual PbI₂ (PI) and AgI (AI) placed at 30° angle in the horizontal tubular furnace of variable temperature zone. The crystals were characterized by powder XRD, TG/DTA, FT‐IR and SEM. The 3.37% weight loss in the sample after heating at 853 K is due to the presence of water molecules absorbed (3446 cm^–1) by the crystals during sintering and cooling process. The cell parameters of the crystal were determined using the powder X‐ray data. The PbI₂‐AgI crystallizes in monoclinic system a = 10.799 (±0.009), b = 7.492 (±0.004), c = 6.929(±0.004) Å and α = 90°, β = 108.04(±0.073) γ = 90°, V = 533.18 ų. The electrical conductivity measurements of the crystals showed a sudden change in the current value at the temperature range 385–393 K. The activation energy before and after the drift was found to be 0.49 and 0.35 eV respectively. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Enhancement of thermoelectric efficiency in vapor deposited Sb2Te3 and Sb1.8In0.2Te3 crystals

Pure and indium doped antimony telluride (Sb₂Te₃) crystals find applications in high performance room temperature thermoelectric devices. Owing to the meagre physical properties exhibited on the cleavage faces of melt grown samples, an attempt was made to explore the thermoelectric parameters of p‐type crystals grown by the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method. The crystal structure of the grown platelets (9 mm× 8 mm× 2 mm) was identified as rhombohedral by x‐ray powder diffraction method. The energy dispersive analysis confirmed the elemental composition of the crystals. The electron microscopic and scanning probe image studies revealed that the crystals were grown by layer growth mechanism with low surface roughness. At room temperature (300 K), the values of Seebeck coefficient S (⊥ c) and power factor were observed to be higher for Sb_1.8In_0.2Te₃ crystals (155 μVK⁻¹, 2.669 × 10⁻³ W/mK²) than those of pure ones. Upon doping, the thermal conductivity κ (⊥ c) was decreased by 37.14% and thus thermoelectric efficiency was improved. The increased figure of merit, Z = 1.23 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹ for vapour grown Sb_1.8In_0.2Te₃ platelets indicates that it could be used as a potential thermoelectric candidate.