Growth and comparative studies on oxalic acid dihydrate, potassium oxalate hydrate and potassium hydrogen oxalate oxalic acid dihydrate single crystals

Abstract

Single crystals of Oxalic acid dihydrate (OAD), Potassium oxalate hydrate (KOH), Potassium hydrogen oxalate oxalic acid dihydrate (KHOOD) were grown using solvent evaporation technique. Unit cell parameters of the crystals were studied using single crystal XRD (SCXRD) and the crystal parameters were found to match with the reported values. Structural properties were studied using powder XRD analysis. Optical absorption studies were carried out to determine the light absorption by the crystal and the optical bandgap was also calculated using Tauc's relation. Emission and thermal properties of the OAD, KOH and KHOOD crystals were studied using photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and TGA-DTA measurements respectively and explained in detail. Electrical studies were also carried out to find the resistivity of the material. The hardness of the synthesized crystal was also explored and the parameters such as stiffness constant, yield strength, fracture toughness and brittleness were evaluated and compared. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd