Promising LVHCL material for nonlinear optical devices and pyroelectric sensors

L-Valine Hydrochloride (LVHCl) single crystals were successfully synthesized using the slow evaporation solution growth technique, achieving optical quality suitable for advanced applications. Optical transmission studies revealed that the crystal is highly transparent in the visible spectrum, with an impressive transparency level of 85% and a cutoff wavelength at 260 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of various functional groups, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis verified the crystalline nature of the material through sharp, well-defined peaks. Hardness measurements indicated that LVHCl falls into the category of soft materials, with a hardness parameter value of 3.4. Notably, LVHCl demonstrated a second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency 1.3 times greater than that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP), highlighting its superior nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. Furthermore, the crystal exhibited significant pyroelectric activity at elevated temperatures, validating its pyroelectric properties and suggesting its potential use in thermal sensing and energy harvesting applications. This comprehensive study positions L-Valine Hydrochloride as a promising candidate for nonlinear optical devices and pyroelectric sensors, leveraging its exceptional optical and pyroelectric performance.