Growth and characterization of large single crystals of l-serine methyl ester hydrochloride

Single crystal of l-serine methyl ester hydrochloride (LSMEHCl), was grown using slow evaporation solution growth technique. The grown crystal was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and the presence of functional groups were identified by FT-IR analysis. From the Optical transmission spectra of the grown crystal the optical energy band gap is found to be 5 eV and the refractive indices (nx, ny and nz) were found using Brewster's angle method. The melting point of the material obtained using melting point apparatus is 168 °C. The thermal stability of the crystal was investigated. The second harmonic generation was tested with different particle sizes of powdered LSMEHCl by Kurtz–Perry powder method using Nd:YAG laser, which established the existence of phase matching.

► LSMEHCl bulk single crystal was grown by slow evaporation solution growth method.
► l-serine methyl ester hydrochloride was confirmed by single crystal XRD.
► FT-IR, thermogravimetric and optical studies were carried out.
► SHG test was made by Kurtz–Perry method using Nd:YAG laser.