High-pressure Raman study of mono-l-alaninium nitrate crystals

Single-crystal samples of mono-l-alaninium nitrate, known for its non-linear optical properties, have been studied by Raman spectroscopy in a diamond-anvil cell up to pressures of 7.4 GPa. The data acquired in this study are consistent with the hypothesis that a phase transition takes place between 3.5 and 4.1 GPa, as suggested by the change of Raman profile in both the low wavenumber and the internal modes spectral regions. A detailed analysis of the vibrational properties in the wavenumber region below 130 cm−1 including the dependence of the wavenumber of the observed modes as a function of pressure as well a comparison with previous papers reporting the Raman spectra of the L-alanine is presented. Correlation between hydrogen bond at room pressure and the occurrence of the phase transition with pressure variation was proposed giving new insights about the problem. Upon decompression to ambient pressure the original spectra were recovered indicating that the phase transition is reversible.