Crystal growth and characterization of an organic nonlinear optical single crystal: 2,3-Dimethyl-N-[4-(Nitro) benzylidene] aniline

•Single crystals of DNBA were grown by slow evaporation growth technique.•The blue emission of the crystal was identified by Photoluminescence spectral analysis.•Thermally stable up to 141 °C.•SHG efficiency 4.08 times higher than KDP.

An organic nonlinear optical material 2,3-Dimethyl-N-[4-(Nitro) benzylidene] aniline was synthesized by condensation reaction. The single crystals were grown by the slow evaporation technique at room temperature using ethyl acetate as solvent with large in size and having transparent nature. The unit cell parameters were determined and belong to a noncentrosymmetric orthorhombic crystal structure by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystalline nature of the synthesized material was recorded by the powder X-ray diffraction pattern. The molecular structure of the grown material was investigated by proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrum analysis. Functional groups were identified by the vibration spectrum analysis. The optical absorbance of the grown crystal was ascertained by Ultraviolet–Visible spectrum. Thermal behaviour and stability of the grown material was investigated by thermo gravimetric/differential thermal analysis. The nonlinear optic conversion efficiency was determined by powder technique and found to be 4.08 times greater that of KDP as a standard reference.

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