Crystal growth and characterization studies of SMHP single crystal in silica gel medium and laser induced nucleation reduction process

SMHP (strontium magnesium hydrogen phosphate) crystals were grown in silica gel medium in three growth environments using different gel densities, various concentrations of phosphoric acid and supernatant solutions. The gel pH plays an important role in the formation of different HPO4 species in the phosphoric system. The pH ranges in which HPO42− ion dominate were considered, which in turn is necessary for the growth of SMHP crystals. The SMHP crystals are grown in three different growth environments by applying various growth parameters and found the optimum growth environment. The characterization of grown crystals were studied by FTIR, TGA/DTA, SEM, XRD and etching.