Crystal growth and characterization of l-phenylalaninium trichloroacetate-A new organic nonlinear optical material

Amino acid based crystals exhibit excellent nonlinear and electro-optical properties. A new nonlinear optical single crystal l-phenylalaninium trichloroacetate (LPTCA) belonging to the amino acid group was grown by the slow evaporation solution growth method. The grown crystals have been subjected to powder X-ray diffraction studies to identify the crystalline nature. Single crystal X-ray diffraction study showed that LPTCA belongs to monoclinic crystal system. Fourier transform infrared study is used to confirm the presence of various functional groups in the grown crystal. Optical transparency of the grown crystals was investigated by UV-vis-NIR spectrum. The lower optical cutoff wavelength for this crystal is observed at 254 nm and energy band gap is 4.89 eV. Thermal properties of the LPTCA crystal were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques, which indicate that the material does not decompose before melting. The melting point of grown crystal was observed to be 136 °C in a melting point apparatus. The existence of nonlinear optical (NLO) property of LPTCA was confirmed by second harmonic generation test using Nd:YAG laser fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm.