Synthesis and characterization of nonlinear optical l-arginine semi-oxalate single crystal

l-arginine semi-oxalate single crystals have been synthesized by slow evaporation method at room temperature. Single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyses has been made to confirm the triclinic structure with non-centrosymmetric space group P1. The presence of functional groups of l-arginine semi-oxalate crystals was identified and confirmed by using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Molecular structure of the grown crystal was analyzed by 1H NMR and 13C NMR studies. Optical absorption studies carried out in wavelength range from 250 nm to 1200 nm have revealed that the material is completely transparent for the entire wavelength range studied. Thermal characterization using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry studies show that the crystal is thermally stable up to 146 °C. The presence of second harmonic generation of the grown crystal was tested and its efficiency was determined by using Kurtz and Perry powder technique.

Graphical abstractReaction for the synthesized LASO crystal: C6H14N4O2+C2H2O4.2H2O→C6H15N4O2+·C2HO4- photograph of the grown LASO crystal.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► l-arginine semi-oxalate crystals were grown by slow evaporation technique. ► The band gap energy has been estimated as 4.33 eV. ► LASO crystal is thermally stable up to 146 °C. ► Molecular structure of the grown crystal was studied. ► LASO material has NLO efficiency 1.5 times that of KDP.