Spectroscopic, thermal and mechanical studies on 4-methylanilinium p-toluenesulfonate – a new organic NLO single crystal

Bulk crystals of newly identified organic nonlinear optical material 4-methylanilinium p-toluenesulfonate (PMPT) were grown by slow evaporation solution growth method using ethanol as a solvent. It crystallizes in monoclinic system with a noncentrosymmetric space group P21. The formation of the title compound was confirmed through microanalysis, X-ray diffraction and density measurements. The proton positions and functional groups have been identified and confirmed through nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectrums respectively. Optical properties are determined by UV–Visible and photoluminescence spectroscopic studies to explore its efficacy towards device fabrications. Thermal studies exhibited that the newly obtained PMPT crystals are stable up to 199 °C. Its mechanical strength was studied by Vickers micro hardness studies.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Systematic studies have resulted in the growth of high quality PMPT crystals. ► PMPT crystals exhibited good transparency in the useful UV–Visible region. ► Spectroscopic, thermal and mechanical studies were reported for the first time. ► Physicochemical properties of PMPT suggest its suitability for the NLO applications.