Growth, morphology, spectral and thermal studies of gel grown diclofenac acid crystals

• Diclofenac acid crystals were grown in silica gel for the first time in literature.
• The morphology and crystal packing showed that the growth is prominent along the b–-axis and the prominent face is {002}.
• FTIR spectral analysis was made.
• The thermographic profile in synthetic atmosphere is fragile and hence the shelf-life period at elevated ambient temperature and atmosphere may decrease reasonably.

The crystal growth of diclofenac acid in silica gel is the first to be reported in literature. The growth parameters were varied to optimize the suitable growth condition. Single crystal X-ray diffraction method was used for the conformation of the crystal structure. Morphology studies showed that the growth is prominent along the b-axis and the prominent face is {002}. Fourier transform infrared spectral study was performed to identify the functional groups present in the crystal. Thermal stability and decomposition of the material were analyzed using thermo calorimetry in the temperature range 30–500 °C.