Growth and characterization of K1‐x(NH4)xH2PO4 mixed crystals onto z‐cut point seeds

Mixed crystals of potassium dihydrogen phosphate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate were grown onto point seeds by the method of temperature reduction. It was found that the regeneration process of z‐cut point seeds became more and more difficult with increasing KH₂PO₄ concentration in the solution mixture. The interior stress and cracking of the mixed crystals were analyzed by synchrotron X‐ray topography. Large numbers of stress stripes were found at the seed and sectors boundaries. The lattice parameters of the pyramid and prismatic sectors of the prepared mixed crystal were calculated according to the X‐ray diffraction patterns. With solution containing 8 mol % KH₂PO₄, the lattice volumes of the prismatic sector of the mixed crystal were 1.3% larger than that of the pyramid sector of the crystal. Chemical etching revealed microcracks with length of hundreds of microns in the mixed crystals, which tended to spread and led to crystal cracking. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Compositional dependence of morphology and lattice parameters during growth of K1‐x(NH4)xH2PO4 mixed crystals

Mixed crystals of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate K_1‐x(NH₄)_x H₂PO₄ were grown from aqueous solutions with x = 0.06, 0.09, 0.15, 0.32, 0.42, 0.51, 0.63, 0.70, 0.76, 0.78, 0.84, 0.88, 0.89 and 0.91. The crystal composition that differs from solution was estimated by X‐ray method. Morphology of the crystals changes from tetragonal prism to needles when the incorporation of either of the two components into the other; which also affects the growth rate along the prominent growth directions significantly. Growth along the [001] decreases initially with composition and reached the maximum when x = 0.5; whereas growth along the [100] always showed a decreasing trend with composition and attained a minimum value when x = 0.5. Crystal length along the [001] and [100] and aspect ratio are also compositional dependent. Unit cell parameters determined by X‐ray powder and single crystal analyses revealed that the ‘a ’ parameter shows only a small and linear variation but the ‘c ’ parameter changes significantly with ADP incorporation because of the difference in the effective ionic radius of K⁺ and NH₄⁺ ions and also the possibility of NH₄⁺ ion to form two different kinds of hydrogen bonds in the system. The existence of a pseudo‐cubic cell at the mixing composition x = 0.78 was also revealed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Elastic and elasto‐optical properties of Rb1–x(NH4)xH2AsO4 mixed crystals studied by Brillouin spectroscopy

The elastic and elasto‐optical properties of Rb_1–x (NH₄)_x H₂AsO₄ mixed crystals were studied by Brillouin spectroscopy at room temperature. The measurements were made on single crystals obtained from the aqueous solution by slow evaporation. The behaviour of bulk phonons propagating in investigated crystals was studied for different polarisations of incident and scattered beam. The components of the tensors of elasto‐optical and elastic properties of the crystals studied were determined. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and thermal studies on pure ADP,KDP and mixed K1‐x(NH4)xH2PO4 crystals

The investigations on the formation of mixed crystals of ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate (ADP) and potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (KDP) i.e. potassium ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, K_1‐x(NH₄)_xH₂PO₄ have been presented in this paper. Pure and mixed crystals of ADP and KDP have been grown by slow evaporation technique from the supersaturated solution at an ambient temperature 26±1 °C for ammonium concentration x in the range 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0 in the case of mixed crystals. Crystal compositions were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and chemical analysis. The results of the X‐ray analysis of the grown crystals are also reported. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used to study the kinetic process of dehydration and the high temperature phase behaviour. DTA showed the distinct thermal events attributed to dehydration of ADP, KDP and K_1‐x(NH₄)_xH₂PO₄. The results of thermal analysis and chemical analysis are consistent with each other. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Structural,thermal and optical studies on 2‐naphthol crystals

Single crystals of 2‐naphthol was grown in slow evaporation solution growth technique. Grown crystals were characterized by various characterization techniques. Powder X‐ ray diffraction studies reveal that the grown crystal belongs to monoclinic system with noncentrosymmetric space group. Vibrational bands of the various functional groups and their significance were investigated by analyzing the vibrational spectra. Melting point and the decomposition temperature of the grown crystal was premeditated from the thermal analysis. From the UV‐VIS‐NIR spectrum the electronic excitation mechanism and the transmittance abilities of the crystal was studied. Theoretical value of first static hyperpolarizability was calculated and compared with urea. Second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal is 0.6 times that of KDP. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Structural,thermal, mechanical and z‐scan studies on 4‐nitrophenol single crystals

4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) single crystals have been grown by using slow evaporation and slow cooling techniques. A single crystal with size in the range of 7x3.4x1.8cm³ has been obtained by slow cooling method. The grown crystals have been subjected to various characterization studies. The powder XRD spectrum of 4‐NP reveals the good crystalline nature of the grown crystal. Single crystal XRD studies show that the crystal belongs to monoclinic system with cell parameters of a=6.09 Å, b=8.79 Å, c=11.61 Å, α=γ=90°, β=103.15°. The resultant FTIR spectrum confirms the various functional groups present in 4‐NP. Thermal analysis has been performed on the material to study the thermal stability of 4‐NP. The grown crystals belong to the category of soft materials as confirmed by Vickers Hardness tests. The optical transmiitance of 4‐NP single crystals has been measured from Vis‐IR spectroscopy study. The nonlinear optical properties have been analyzed by z‐scan technique and 4‐NP is found to be self defocusing because of its negative nonlinear refractive index. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Preparation and investigation of (CuInSe2)x(2ZnSe)1‐x and (CuInTe2)x(2ZnTe)1‐x solid solution crystals

The (CuInSe₂)_x(2ZnSe)_1‐x and (CuInTe₂)_x(2ZnTe)_1‐x solid solution crystals prepared by Bridgman method and chemical vapor transport have been studied. The nature of the crystalline phases, the local structure homogeneity and composition of these materials have been investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) methods. The analysis revealed the presence of chalcopyrite‐sphalerite phase transition between 0.6 ≤ X ≤ 0.7. Lattice constants, value of σ position parameter and bond length between atoms were also calculated. It was found that the lattice parameters exhibit a linear dependence versus composition. The transmission spectra of solid solution crystals in the region of the main absorption edge were studied. It was established that the optical band gap of these materials changes non‐linearly with the X composition. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of temperature and isomorphic atom substitution on optical absorption edge of TlInS2xSe2(1‐x) mixed crystals (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1)

The optical properties of the TlInS_2xSe_2(1‐x)mixed crystals (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1) have been investigated through the transmission and reflection measurements in the wavelength range of 400–1100 nm. The optical indirect band gap energies were determined by means of the analysis of the absorption data. It was found that the energy band gaps decrease with the increase of selenium atoms content in the TlInS_2xSe_2(1‐x)mixed crystals. The transmission measurements carried out in the temperature range of 10–300 K revealed that the rates of change of the indirect band gaps with temperature are γ = –9.2×10^–4 eV/K, –6.1×10^–4 eV/K, –4.7×10^–4 eV/K and –5.6×10^–4 eV/K for TlInS₂, TlInS_1.5Se_0.5, TlInSSe and TlInS_0.5Se_1.5 crystals, respectively. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Characteristics of the Mixed Crystals of the KNO3‐NH4NO3‐H2O System at 298 K

The equilibrium studies of the KNO₃‐NH₄NO₃‐H₂O system at 298 K have been conducted. The isotherm of solubility and the curve of distribution have been mathematically described. The parameters of the crystal lattice and the enthalpy of crystallization of the [K_x(NH₄)_1‐x]NO₃ solid solutions as a function of their composition have been presented. The structure of salts KNO₃�xNH₄NO₃ with different x values have been solved and refined.     

Optical properties of non‐centrosymmetric mixed crystals K2(La1‐x Cex)(NO3)5 · 2 H2O (x = 0.0 – 1.0)

Large single crystals of optical quality of the non‐centrosymmetric orthorhombic potassium rare earth nitrate mixed crystals K₂(La_1–x Ce_x)(NO₃)₅ · 2 H₂O were grown at 38 °C from diluted HNO₃. For crystals with x = 0.0, 0.19, 0.38 and 0.66 refractive indices and their dispersion were determined with an error less than 1 · 10^–4 in the wavelength range 0.404 – 1.083 μm by the prism method. Phase matching conditions for collinear SHG frequency conversion were analysed in detail, including calculation of the effective nonlinear optical susceptibility. By an appropriate choice of the fraction x of cerium the mixed crystals K₂(La_1–x Ce_x)(NO₃)₅ · 2 H₂O allow an adjustment of non‐critical type I phase matching conditions to a desired wavelength of the fundamental wave within the range 1.055(4) – 1.107(6) μm. Non‐critical type II phase matching can be tuned in the wavelength range 0.949(2) – 0.931(2) μm. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Electron irradiation‐induced effects on optical spectra of (NH4)2ZnCl4: x Sr2+ single crystals

The effect of electron‐beam irradiation with different doses on optical constants of (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄: x Sr²⁺ crystals with x=0.000, 0.020, 0.039, 0.087 or 0.144 wt% has been studied. The optical transmission in the energy range 3.4‐6.4 eV was measured hence the absorption coefficient was computed as a frequency function. The absorption coefficient was also calculated as a function of electron‐beam dose. Irradiation with e‐beam did not affect the allowed indirect type of transition responsible for interband transitions of (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄: x Sr²⁺ crystals. Values of the optical energy gap E_g and optical moment E_p for electronic interband transition of unexposed and (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄: x Sr²⁺ crystals after e‐beam exposure were deduced. The area under the absorption band at 5.30 eV was used to evaluate the effect of e‐irradiation on optical parameters of samples with x=0.00, 0.020 or 0.039. A shift in the position and a nonmonotonic change in the intensity of this band with increasing e‐beam dose was observed. Changes in the E_g value were used to evaluate the effect of e‐beam exposure dose on (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄: x Sr²⁺ samples with x=0.087 or 0.144. The obtained results were compared with those obtained for the same crystals after irradiation with different γ‐doses.     

The Characteristics of the Mixed Crystals of the K2SO4-(NH4)2SO4-H2O System at 298 K

Equilibrium studies of the K₂SO₄-(NH₄)₂SO₄-H₂O system at 298 K have been conducted. The isotherm of solubility and the curve of distribution have been mathematically described. The parameters of the crystal lattice and the enthalpy of crystallization of the [K_x(NH₄)_1-x]₂SO₄ solid solutions as a function of their composition have been presented.     

Effect of isomorphic atom substitution on the refractive index and oscillator parameters of TlInS2xSe2(1‐x) (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1) layered mixed crystals

The optical properties of TlInS_2xSe_2(1‐x)mixed crystals (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1) have been studied at room temperature through the transmittance and reflectivity measurements in the wavelength range of 400–1100 nm. The spectral dependence of the refractive index for all compositions of studied crystals were obtained. The dispersion of the refractive index is discussed in terms of the Wemple–DiDomenico single‐effective‐oscillator model. The compositional dependencies of refractive index dispersion parameters: oscillator energy, dispersion energy and zero‐frequency refractive index were revealed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Influence of x‐irradiation on indentation size effect and formation of cracks for [Ky(NH4)1‐y]2ZnCl4 mixed crystals

The effects of x‐beam irradiation with different doses on microhardness and its related physical constants on [K_y(NH₄)_1‐y]₂ZnCl₄ mixed crystals with concentrations, y equals 0.000, 0.232, 0.644, 0.859 or 1.000 has been studied. The tests were performed for x‐doses from 0.2 kGy up to 1.6 kGy for loads from 20 to 160 g. The variation of hardness on (010) faces of orthorhombic [K_y(NH₄)_1‐y]₂ZnCl₄ mixed crystals with load were studied. The experimental results showed that, the hardness decreased as the x‐doses increased. Variation of the microhardness follows the normal ISE trend for low x‐doses and un‐irradiated crystals, then follows the reverse ISE trend for high x‐doses. Analysis of the experimental results revealed that: the radial cracks length, indentation size and applied indentation load are mutually related, and these dependences related with fracture mechanics are the basis of Meyer's empirical law. Indentation size effect (ISE) can be explained satisfactory by Hays‐Kendall's approach and proportional specimen resistance model. Brittleness of two cracks system are applicable for characterizing cracks around indentation impression (i.e. radial cracks) and another is (lateral cracks) for [K_y(NH₄)_1‐y]₂ZnCl₄ mixed crystals, crystals in the load range 60 – 160 g. It is shown that indentation induced microhardness decreases, whereas the length of radial cracks induced on indentation increases with the increase of x‐doses. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of supersaturation on deuteration distribution in K(H1‐xDx)2PO4 crystals

The homogeneity of deuterium distribution in potassium dideuterium phosphate single crystals was studied by Raman and infrared spectroscopy analyses. Results indicated that the pyramidal section exhibited more homogeneous deuterium distribution than the prismatic section. Supersaturation slightly affected the deuterium homogeneity in the pyramidal section of crystals grown rapidly from 80% deuterated solution. Deuterium homogeneity in the prismatic section decreased with increasing supersaturation level of the growth solution.     

Microwave dielectric properties of (1‐x)La(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3‐x(Sr0.8Ca0.2)3Ti2O7 ceramic system with a near zero temperature coefficient of resonant frequency

In this study, the microwave dielectric properties of (1‐x)La(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃‐x(Sr_0.8Ca_0.2)₃Ti₂O₇ ceramic system prepared by the conventional solid‐state method have been investigated for application in mobile communication. It was found that the diffraction peaks of (1‐x)La(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃‐x(Sr_0.8Ca_0.2)₃Ti₂O₇ ceramic system shift to higher angles as x increases from 0.2 to 0.4. It was also found that the X‐ray diffraction patterns of the 0.8La(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃‐0.2(Sr_0.8Ca_0.2)₃Ti₂O₇ ceramics exhibited no significant phase difference at different sintering temperatures. The average grain size of the (1‐x)La(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃‐x(Sr_0.8Ca_0.2)₃Ti₂O₇ ceramic system decreased from 6.4 to 4.3 μm as the value of x increased from 0.2 to 0.4 sintered at 1550 °C for 4 h. The dielectric constant increased from 26.6 to 35.9 and the quality factor (Q×f) decreased from 31,600 to 23,300 GHz for (1‐x)La(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃‐x(Sr_0.8Ca_0.2)₃Ti₂O₇ ceramic system as the x value increases from 0.2 to 0.4 sintered at 1550 °C for 4 h. The average value of temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) increased from ‐18 to +8 ppm/ K as the x value increases from 0.2 to 0.4. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of large La1‐xPbxMnO3+δ (x=0.32–0.35) crystals

Large crystals of La_0.63Pb_0.37Mn O_3+δ with small La(Pb)‐ deficiency of about 0.005‐0.01 at.% were grown by high temperature solution growth method. The structure of the grown crystals was determined as rhombohedral with R‐3 space group by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. The surface morphology of the crystals and the exact chemical composition was examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis methods, respectively. The IR‐transmission spectrum reveals the presence of Mn³⁺O₆‐ and Mn⁴⁺O₆‐ octahedra in the lattice of La_0.63Pb_0.37Mn O_3+δ crystals. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Phase formation in molten system (Na/K)2O‐TiO2‐P2O5. Crystal structures of NASICON and langbeinite‐related phosphates (K/Na)1+xTi2(PO4)3 (x = 0 and 0.357)

Crystallization of high temperature self‐flux of system Na₂O‐K₂O‐TiO₂‐P₂O₅ was investigated at different molar ratios (Na+K)/P = 0.9; 1.0 or 1.2 and Na/K = 1.0 or 2.0 over the temperature range 1000–650°C. The conditions of formation of complex phosphates K_0.10Na_0.90Ti₂(PO₄)₃ (NASICON‐related) and K_0.877Na_0.48Ti^ІІІ_0.357Ti^ІV_1.643(PO₄)₃ (langbeinite‐related) have been established. The new obtained compounds were investigated using FTIR‐spectroscopy, powder and single crystal X‐ray diffraction and optical microscopy methods. The influence of alkaline metal nature on the structure formation of complex phosphates in the high temperature self‐fluxes is discussed.     

Properties of AgGa1‐xInxSe2 single crystals grown by Bridgman method

High‐pure and single‐phase AgGa_1‐xIn_xSe₂ (x=0.2) polycrystalline was synthesized by the mechanical and temperature oscillation method. Adopting the modified Bridgman method an integral AgGa_1‐xIn_xSe₂ single crystal with diameter of 14 mm and length of 35 mm has been obtained at the rate of 6 mm/day. It was found that there is a new cleavage face which was (101), and observed the four order X‐ray spectrum of the {101} faces. By the method of DSC analysis the melting and freezing points of the AgGa_1‐xIn_xSe₂ (x=0.2) single crystal were about 828°C and 790°C. The transmission spectra of the AgGa_1‐xIn_xSe₂ (x=0.2) sample of 5×6×2 mm³ were obtained by means of UV and IR spectrophotometer. The limiting frequency was 774.316nm and the band gap was 1.6eV. It can be found in the infrared spectrum that the infrared transmission was above 60% from 4000cm^‐1 to 600cm^‐1. The value of α in 5.3µm and 10.6µm were 0.022cm^‐1 and 0.1cm^‐1 respectively. All results showed that the crystal was of good quality. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal structures of N1, N5‐dibenzoyltetrahydro‐4‐methyl‐1, 5‐benzodiazepin‐2‐one (DBTBO) and tetrahydro‐4‐methyl‐1, 5‐benzodiazepin‐2‐one (TBO)

Adducing structural analogies between the two fused systems, N1, N5‐Dibenzoyltetrahydro‐4‐methyl‐1,5‐benzodiazepin‐2‐one, C₂₄H₂₀N₂O₃ (DBTBO CCDC 200341) and Tetrahydro‐4‐methyl‐1,5‐benzodiazepin‐2‐one, C₁₀H₁₂ N₂O (TBO CCDC 200342) helps to find the pharmacological differences from the view point of variant hetero atom substitutions in the hetero cycle. Both the diazepines crystallized in identical monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 14.1134(1) Å, b = 9.2444(1) Å, c = 16.3812(1) Å; β = 107.11(1)º, V = 2042.7(3) ų for DBTBO and a = 9.3363(7) Å, b = 10.4895(8) Å, c = 9.9852(7) Å, β = 91.314(1)º, V = 977.62(1) ų for TBO, respectively. The two structures were solved by direct methods and refined by full‐matrix least‐squares procedure to final R‐values of R1 = 0.0575(DBTBO) and R1 = 0.0984(TBO). Structural differences include non‐identical boat conformations of these seven‐membered rings and the different non‐bonding interactions in the benzodiazepine pair.