Synthesis of the semi-organic nonlinear optical crystal l-glutamic acid zinc chloride and investigation of its growth and physiochemical properties

The aim of this study is to synthesize and investigate the growth and physiochemical properties of the nonlinear optical semi-organic crystal l-glutamic acid zinc chloride (LGAZC). An optically transparent and defect-free crystal was grown with the slow evaporation solution growth technique under optimized conditions. The induction periods were measured at various supersaturations, and the interfacial energies were evaluated. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that the crystal has an orthorhombic structure with space group P212121, and the calculated lattice parameters are a = 5.20 Å, b = 6.99 Å, c = 17.58 Å, α = β = γ = 90° and volume = 623.411 Å3. Spectroscopic properties were investigated by recording the Fourier transform infrared and optical transmission spectra. The thermal decomposition of the grown crystal was investigated by Thermo Gravimetric and Differential Thermal Analysis (TG/DTA). The LGAZC crystal exhibits second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency 1.5 times that of inorganic KDP crystal. The presence of the metal ion (Zn+) in a grown crystal was identified by EDAX spectrum analysis. The photoconductivity study demonstrates that LGAZC crystal has a positive photo conducting nature. The dielectric response of the LGAZC crystal was investigated and reported.