Studies on the growth and characterization of a NLO active sodium substituted lithium p-nitrophenolate single crystal

Single crystals of sodium-substituted lithium paranitrophenolate trihydrate (Na-NPLi·3H2O) having dimensions upto 16×8×4 mm3 have been successfully grown by slow evaporation technique. The grown crystals are confirmed by XRD and FTIR analyses. Optical absorption and NLO studies reveal the increase in NLO activity of this crystal in the presence of sodium. Thermal studies brings forth that the crystals are stable upto 180 °C. Microhardness measurements on the cleaved planes (1 1 0) and (1 0 1) verifies the anisotropic behaviour of the crystal.