Synthesis, structural, optical and thermal studies of an organic nonlinear optical 4-aminopyridinium maleate single crystal

Synthesis and growth of a novel organic nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal of 4-aminopyridinium maleate (4APM) in larger size by the slow evaporation solution growth technique are reported. Single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that 4APM crystallizes in monoclinic system with space group P21 with cell parameters a = 8.140(4) Å, b = 5.457(5) Å, c = 10.926(10) Å and volume = 481.4(7) Å3. The grown crystal has been characterized by Fourier transform infrared and UV–visible spectral analyses. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) have been carried out to study its thermal properties. Dielectric measurements have been carried out to study the distribution of charges within the crystal. The mechanical strength of the crystal has been studied by using Vickers’ microhardness test. The etching studies have been carried out on the grown crystal. The Kurtz and Perry powder SHG technique confirms the NLO property of the grown crystal and the SHG efficiency of 4APM was found to be 4.8 times greater than that of KDP crystal.

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► 4-Aminopyridinium maleate (4APM), an organic nonlinear optical crystal (NLO), has been grown in larger size by the slow evaporation solution growth technique.
► Structural analyses reveal that 4APM crystallizes in monoclinic system with space group P21.
► Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) reveal that 4APM crystal thermally stable up to 181 °C.
► Vickers’ microhardness test shows 4APM crystal belongs to moderately harder category material.
► Relative SHG efficiency of 4APM was found to be 4.8 times greater than that of KDP crystal.