Abstract
Single crystals of a new nonlinear optical material, triaquatrismalonatodicerium (III) dihydrate ([3H2O(C3H2O4)3 Ce2]·2H2O), have been grown using gel aided solution growth technique. The functional groups present in the crystal are identified using FTIR spectrum. X-ray diffraction studies on single crystals showed that the compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system with a non centrosymmetric space group P21 with unit cell dimensions a=7.6795(5)Å, b=12.9648(7)Å, c=8.9545(5)Å, α=γ=90°, β=101.380(6)°. Thermogravimetric studies reveal the thermal stability and decomposition pattern of the material. The UV – vis spectrum indicates excellent transmittance in the entire visible region. Optical band gap energy of the crystal was evaluated from the diffused reflectance spectrum (DRS). Photoluminescence spectroscopy throws light on the optical emission properties. Excellent second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the crystal was confirmed by Kurtz and Perry powder test.