A semi-organic l-glutamic acid cadmium chloride single crystal: preparation, crystal structure, and physicochemical characterization for nonlinear optical applications

A semi-organic, nonlinear optical single crystal of l-Glutamic acid Cadmium Chloride (LGCC) was grown at room temperature from an aqueous solution by using the slow evaporation method. SXRD studies indicate that it belongs to the orthorhombic system. Powder XRD method is used to study the crystalline nature of the grown LGCC crystal. FTIR spectral analysis was employed to ascertain the functional group existing in the grown crystal. An optical transmission study found that the LGCC crystal had wider transmittance across the complete UV–Vis-NIR spectrum, with a lower cut-off wavelength of 252 nm. Vicker’s microhardness test findings were used to calculate the mechanical strength of the grown crystal. Employing Kurtz’s powder technique, it was estimated that the SHG of crystal was 1.06 times that of KDP. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analytical studies help us to measure title crystal’s melting point and thermal stability. The photoluminescence characteristics of the LGCC crystal were revealed with PL analysis. To examine the microstructure of the grown crystal, a scanning electron microscope investigation was performed.