Structural, third-order nonlinear optical properties and optical limiting studies of novel zinc potassium aluminum sulfate nonadecahydrate single crystal

Abstract

The crystal of zinc potassium aluminum sulphate nonadecahydrate (ZPASDH) was first time grown by the slow evaporation method. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) study was used to evaluate the structure of ZPASDH crystal. Using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) analysis the functional groups were identified. The UV–Vis spectrum recorded for the grown ZPASDH crystal, from the spectrum optical cutoff wavelength is observed at 387 nm and the optical band gap was also determined. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used for confirmation of thermal stability of grown crystal. Mechanical strength of the ZPASDH single crystal was confirmed by Vickers microhardness study. Third-order nonlinear refractive index (n2 = 1.11 × 10−9 cm2/W), nonlinear absorption coefficient (β = 5.31 × 10−5 cm/W) and optical limiting behavior of ZPASDH crystal have been determined by Z-scan technique.