Growth of ferroelectric crystals: 4-Aminopyridinium hydrogen maleate single crystals and their characterization

Single crystals of 4-aminopyridinium hydrogen maleate (4AM) were grown using the slow evaporation solution technique (SEST) from an aqueous solution of 4-aminopyridine and maleic acid at 303 K. Good optical quality single crystals of size 3×7×22 mm3 were grown in a period of 40 days. Single crystal and powder XRD confirmed the formation of the 4AM single crystal. FTIR confirmed the functional groups of the grown crystal. Thermal gravimetric analysis studied the thermal properties of the grown crystal. Dielectric study showed higher dielectric permittivity and lower dielectric loss in conventional grown 4AM crystal. The ferroelectric P–E hysteresis loop characteristics of the SEST grown 4AM crystal were studied and discussed in detail.