Growth, optical, thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of anhydrous sodium formate single crystals

•Anhydrous sodium formate single crystals with good quality grown.•Optical, thermal and mechanical properties reported for the first time.•Crystal exhibits centrosymmetric structure and good optical transmittance.•Exhibits high thermal stability and decomposition steps understood.•Mechanical parameters like Hv, Kc, B, σv and C11 determined and reported.

Anhydrous sodium formate single crystals were grown by the solvent evaporation method at 40 °C. Etching study was carried out to assess the crystalline perfection. X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectral analyses were performed for the identification of the material and the crystal structure. Suitability of the crystal for photonic applications was studied by the optical transmittance, SHG efficiency and Z-scan measurements. The thermal and mechanical stabilities of the grown crystal were also investigated. Thermal decomposition and load dependence of various mechanical parameters viz. Hv, Kc, B, σv and C11 have been understood. AC (with various frequencies ranging from 20 Hz to 200 kHz) and DC electrical measurements were carried out at various temperatures ranging from 30 to 150 °C. Temperature and frequency dependences of important electrical parameters have been understood. Results obtained indicate that the grown crystal exhibits higher crystallinity, good optical transmittance, third order optical nonlinearity, good thermal stability (up to 318 °C), higher dielectric constant and normal mechanical behaviour.

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