Growth and characterization of dichloro tetrakis thiourea nickel single crystals

Thiourea has a large dipole moment and has an ability to form extensive network of hydrogen bonds. In the course of our studies on new semiorganic NLO materials, thiourea is selected to combine with nickel chloride. Single crystals of tetrakis thiourea nickel chloride are grown using silica gel. Green transparent crystals of NTC (nickel thiourea chloride) of dimension 8x4x3 mm³ are grown in a period of 45 days. Single crystal XRD shows that the crystal belongs to body centered tetragonal symmetry class I4. The UV‐Vis‐NIR spectrum establishes the transmission range to be 300 nm to 2500 nm, with a sharp absorption peak at the red end of the visible region, which is due to the colour of the crystal. Photoconductivity and dielectric studies are also carried out. The mechanical strength of the crystal is estimated by Vickers hardness test. The crystal starts decomposing after about 200°C. Thus, we confirm from our present investigation that NTC is a suitable candidate for NLO applications. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal growth,thermal and optical studies of L‐histidine tetrafluoroborate: A semiorganic NLO material

L‐histidine tetrafluoroborate (L‐HFB), a semiorganic nonlinear optical (NLO) material has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and FT–NMR spectroscopic studies. Solubility of L‐HFB has been determined in water and ethanol. The single crystals with dimensions 15 x 12 x 3 mm³ were grown by slow evaporation technique under two different pH conditions. The effect of pH on the morphology of the crystals have been studied. The grown crystals of both pH values has been subjected to single crystal X‐ray diffraction to determine the unit cell dimensions and morphology. The thermal stability has been analyzed by TGA and DTA. The microhardness test was carried out in (001) plane and the hardness coefficient was calculated. The birefringence values (Δ_n) were determined in the wavelength region 5540–6460 Å. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal growth,thermal, optical and microhardness studies of tris (thiourea) zinc sulphate - a semiorganic NLO material

Tris (thiourea) zinc sulphate (ZTS), a semiorganic nonlinear optical (NLO) material has been synthesized at 30 °C. The solubility was determined in different solvents such as water, ethanol and water mixture of ethanol (1:1). Good quality single crystals with size 10 × 8 × 6 mm³ were grown by slow evaporation technique within three weeks with approximate growth rate of 0.5 mm/day. The grown crystals have been subjected to single crystal X-ray diffraction to determine the unit cell dimensions and morphology. The TGA and DTA reveal that the material has good thermal stability. The UV-Vis spectrum shows that the material has wide optical transparency in the entire visible region. The second harmonic generation was confirmed by Kurtz powder method. The birefringence of the crystal was measured in the visible region and it was found to vary with the wavelength. The microhardness test was carried out in (100) plane and the load dependent hardness was measured. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Optical and mechanical properties of a new second order nonlinear optical crystal urea l‐threonine

A new second order non‐linear optical organic crystal Urea L‐threonine has been grown by aqueous solution slow cooling technique. The grown crystal is non hygroscopic and transparent in the visible region. The solubility of the grown crystal was found. The crystal structure and perfection were determined using powder XRD and High resolution XRD. The molecular structure was confirmed by ¹H‐NMR spectrum. Thermal properties of the crystal have been studied using thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The dielectric response of the crystal with varying frequencies at different temperatures was studied. UV‐Visible spectrum was recorded to study the optical transparency of the grown crystals. The second order non linear optical property was examined by Kurtz powder technique and found that the second order susceptibilities is 1.2 KDP at wavelength 1064 nm. The mechanical behaviour was studied by Vickers Microhardness test. The results are discussed in detail. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of a new semi organic NLO material: L‐tyrosine hydrochloride

Single crystals of L‐Tyrosine hydrochloride were grown by using the submerged seed solution method. The grown crystals were characterized by using single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Functional groups and the modes of vibrations were identified by FTIR spectroscopy. The TGA/DTA studies showed that the crystal is stable up to 232°C. Microhardness study revealed that the crystal is a hard material. It is transparent in the entire visible region. The SHG efficiency was determined by the Kurtz and Perry method. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,bulk growth,polarizability and nonlinear optical properties of γ‐glycine single crystals

The role of sodium acetate, sodium nitrate, sodium hydroxide and malonic acid as additives in assisting the nucleation of γ‐polymorph from solution has been investigated. For the first time large dimensional bulk single crystals of γ‐glycine have been grown at the optimized concentration of the additives by the top seeded slow cooling technique. The bulk growth of single crystals elucidates well the unidirectional growth characteristics and the existence of merohedral twinning in γ‐ glycine. Polarizability, plasmon energy and Fermi energy has been evaluated for the first time for γ‐glycine single crystals based on an analytical approach. Structural affirmation of the nucleated polymorph has been carried out by Powder x‐ray diffraction and the thermal characteristics of the nucleated polymorph are well revealed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The non linear optical characteristics of γ‐glycine studied by Kurtz and Perry technique revealed increased SHG efficiency with the highest of about 2.2 in the presence of malonic acid compared to the standard Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (KDP).     

Effect of strontium chloride on the optical and mechanical properties of γ–glycine crystals

Single crystals of γ‐glycine have been grown from aqueous solution in the presence of small amount of strontium chloride. Single crystal X‐Ray diffraction analysis was used to measure the unit cell parameters and to confirm the crystal structure. The grown crystals have also been subjected to powder X‐Ray diffraction study to identify the crystalline nature. The presence of all the functional groups of the γ‐glycine has been confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis. The presence of hydrogen and carbon in the glycine molecules was confirmed by using proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral analyses. Optical behavior of the crystal was studied using UV – Visible absorbance spectroscopy and second harmonic generation (SHG) studies. The SHG efficiency of γ‐glycine is greater than that of standard potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP). Mechanical strength of the γ‐glycine crystal has been determined by microhardness studies. Thermal stability of the grown crystal is probed using thermo gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. Laser damage threshold value has been determined using Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm and with 13 ns pulse width in single shot mode. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,growth and characterization of l‐alaninium oxalate ‐ a novel organic NLO crystal

Nonlinear optical material of L‐alaninium oxalate (LAO) has been synthesized and single crystals are grown by slow evaporation technique. The solubility data of LAO is determined in water. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction study showed that LAO belongs to orthorhombic system with a non‐centrosymmetric space‐group P2₁2₁2₁. The functional groups have been identified from FT‐IR spectrum. The UV‐Vis‐NIR spectrum of LAO shows less optical absorption in the entire visible region. The second harmonic generation (SHG) in the material was estimated using Nd:YAG laser. The mechanical properties of the grown crystals are studied using Vickers microhardness tester. The AC and DC conductivity, and dielectric studies are also carried out and reported for the first time. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth,structural, thermal and optical studies on L‐glutamic acid hydrobromide – A new semiorganic NLO material

A new semiorganic crystal, L‐glutamic acid hydrobromide, C₅H₁₀NO₄Br (GHB) has been grown from aqueous solution. The single crystal X‐ray analysis of the crystal showed that it belongs to the non‐centrosymmetric P2₁2₁2₁ space group with protonated glutamic acid as cation and bromine as anion. The back‐bone conformations of the amino acid are in cis and trans form. The side‐chain conformations are observed to be in gauche I / trans / cis / trans forms. The characteristic ‘head‐to‐tail’ hydrogen bonding interaction is observed through a chain C(5) motif. Further, the crystal structure is stabilized by an intricate three‐dimensional hydrogen bonding network. TGA/DTA showed that the grown crystals are thermally stable upto 219 °C without any phase transition. The functional groups responsible for the various modes of vibrations were identified by using FTIR spectroscopy. UV‐Vis‐NIR spectra showed that the crystals have excellent transparency in the visible and infrared regions. The second harmonic generation (SHG) conversion efficiency was investigated to explore the NLO characteristics of the material. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Gel growth and characterization of β ‐DL‐methionine

DL‐Methionine [C₅H₁₁NO₂S] is one of the essential amino acids in humans. It has two crystalline forms, viz., α‐ and β‐ methionine. In the present study, β ‐ form is crystallized in silica gel; under suitable pH conditions by single diffusion method. The grown crystals were characterized by density measurement and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic studies, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies were also made as part of the structural studies. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallization and characterization of nonlinear optical l‐histidinium dihydrogen orthophosphate orthophosporic acid single crystal

L‐histidinium dihydrogen orthophosphate orthophosporic acid (abbreviated as LHP) with molecular formula C₆H₁₀N₃O₂⁺·H₂PO₄^‐·H₃PO₄ was successfully grown by slow evaporation technique from aqueous solution. The crystal was characterized by X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), UV‐Vis‐NIR, TGA, DTA, microhardness and solubility studies. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the crystal were studied as function of frequency. Photoconductivity studies were also carried out on the sample. The SHG efficiency of the crystal is studied using the Kurtz and Perry technique. (© 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)     

Growth and characterization of non‐linear optical crystal ZnCd(SCN)4

Single crystals of ZCTC with dimension up to 5x2x3mm³ were grown from aqueous solution by slow solvent evaporation method and the grown crystals were confirmed by single XRD and CHN analysis. The SHG efficiency of ZCTC was evaluated using Kurtz Perry technique. Its efficiency was found to be nearly 12 times that of urea when studied with the fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm. The mechanical properties of the grown crystal have been investigated by Vickers microhardness testing. The thermal parameters such as the thermal diffusivity (α), thermal effusivity (e), thermal conductivity (k) and heat capacity (c_p) of ZCTC were measured by an improved photopyroelectric (PPE) technique and the results were discussed. The TG/DTG studies reveal that the decomposition of the sample begins around 350°C. The photoconducting nature of ZCTC has also been investigated and reported. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Nucleation kinetics,growth, solubility and dielectric studies of L‐proline cadmium chloride monohydrate semi organic nonlinear optical single crystal

Nucleation parameters such as solubility, induction period, interfacial energy and metastable zone width have been investigated for the aqueous solution growth of a semi‐organic nonlinear optical (NLO) material of L‐Proline cadmium chloride monohydrate (L‐PCCM) single crystal. Metastable zone width and induction period values were determined experimentally in order to optimize the growth parameters. The grown crystals are transparent (dimensions: 16 x 8 x 5 mm³) and characterized by powder X‐Ray Diffraction and dielectric studies. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Studies on the structural,thermal and optical behaviour of solution grown organic NLO material: 8‐hydroxyquinoline

Single crystal of 8‐hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) having chemical formula C₉H₇NO, an organic nonlinear optical (NLO) material has been successfully grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique at room temperature. The crystal system has been confirmed from the powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. The crystalline perfection was evaluated by high resolution X‐ray diffractometry (HRXRD). From this analysis we found that the quality of the crystal is quite good. However, a very low angle (tilt angle 14 arc sec) boundary was observed which might be due to entrapping of solvent molecules in the crystal during growth. Its optical behavior has been examined by UV‐Vis. analysis, which shows the absence of absorbance between the wavelengths ranging from 400 to 1200 nm. From the thermal analysis it was observed that the material exhibits single sharp weight loss starting at 113°C without any degradation. The laser damage threshold was measured at single shot mode and the SHG behavior has been tested using Nd:YAG laser as a source. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Spectral studies of methyl‐p‐hydroxy benzoate: An organic nonlinear optical crystalline material

The single crystals of Methyl‐p‐Hydroxy Benzoate (MHB) were grown by solution growth technique and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (single crystal), density, melting point, UV‐Vis, FT‐IR and FT‐Raman techniques. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectra of Cu²⁺: MHB were recorded and the spin Hamiltonian parameters were evaluated. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

XRD,thermal, FTIR and SEM studies on gel grown γ‐glycine crystals

Glycine is the smallest among amino acids. The polymorphs, α‐ and γ‐forms of glycine were crystallized in silica gel by reduction of solubility method. The grown crystals were characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies and density determination. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies and thermogravimetric analysis of γ‐glycine were also conducted. Morphological and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies were also made and compared with the crystal packing. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Optical and microhardness studies of semiorganic nonlinear optical material: L‐ histidine tetrafluoroborate

L‐histidine tetrafluoroborate (L‐HFB) a semiorganic nonlinear optical material has been synthesized in aqueous solution at 50°C and characterized by FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectroscopy studies. The solubility was determined in different solvents such as water, methanol and water mixture of methanol. The single crystals with dimensions 15x12x3 mm³ were grown by slow evaporation method within four weeks with approximate growth rate of 0.25 mm/day. The grown crystals have been subjected to single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies to determine the unit cell dimensions and morphology. The Kurtz powder second harmonic generation test shows that the compound is a potential candidate for frequency conversion. The refractive index has been measured using He‐Ne laser. The microhardness test was carried out and the load dependence hardness was observed. The material has a wide transparency in the entire visible region. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal growth of some urinary stone constituents: III. In‐vitro crystallization of L‐cystine and its characterization

L‐Cystine (‐SCH_2· CHNH_2· COOH), having the morphology of hexagonal plates, an amino acid constituent of urinary stone, is crystallized in silica gel under suitable pH conditions by double diffusion method. The grown crystals were characterized by density measurement, Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Structural,thermal and optical characterizations of a NLO material: L‐alaninium oxalate

An organic electro‐optic and nonlinear optical (NLO) material, L‐alaninium oxalate, was synthesized by the standard method. The synthesized material was purified by repeated recrystallization. Single crystals were grown by the slow evaporation technique. The grown crystals were transparent and had optimum dimensions (20 × 3 × 2 mm³) and were characterized by single crystal XRD, FT‐NMR, FT‐IR, TGA‐DTA and UV‐Vis‐NIR techniques. The second harmonic generation (SHG) from the material was confirmed using Nd:YAG laser. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)