Growth and characterization of two new NLO materials from the amino acid family: l-Histidine nitrate and l-Cysteine tartrate monohydrate

Single crystals of organic nonlinear optical (NLO) materials l-Histidine nitrate (C6H10N3O2)+ · (NO3)− and l-Cysteine tartrate monohydrate (C3H8NO2S)+ · (C4H5O6)− · H2O were grown by submerged seed solution method. Characterization of the crystals was made using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic studies, optical behaviour such as UV–visible–NIR absorption spectra and second harmonic generation (SHG) conversion efficiency were investigated to explore the NLO characteristics of the above materials. Microhardness measurements and dielectric studies of the compounds were also carried out.