Studies on growth and characterization of nonlinear optical L-tartaric acid–nicotinamide single crystal

Organic nonlinear optical (NLO) single crystal of L-tartaric acid–nicotinamide (LTN) has been grown by slow evaporation solution technique at a constant temperature of 40∘C. The grown crystals were subjected to various characterization techniques in order to examine their suitability for various applications. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis revealed that the compound is formed without any impurities. Functional groups and formation of the title compound were confirmed using FTIR analysis. Optical behavior of the material was examined using UV–Vis NIR spectrum analysis and the lower cut-off wavelength and optical band gap energy were calculated. Microhardness, dielectric and piezoelectric studies have been carried out at ambient conditions. Electronic properties such as valence electron plasma energy, Penn gap, Fermi energy and electronic polarizability were calculated by Clausius–Mossotti relation. Photoluminescence analysis was carried out to study the luminescence nature of the crystal and its defect states. In addition photoconductivity, etching studies and powder Kurtz and Perry second harmonic generation (SHG) test were carried out.