Growth of organic benzimidazole (BMZ) single crystal by vertical Bridgman technique and its structural, spectral, thermal, optical, mechanical and dielectric properties

Benzimidazole (BMZ) single crystal was successfully grown by the vertical Bridgman technique (VBT). The crystal system was identified and lattice parameters have been measured from the powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurement. Fourier transforms infrared spectral studies have been carried out to find out the functional groups of BMZ crystal. The optical transmittance and the cut-off wavelength of BMZ were identified using UV-Vis NIR studies and the cut-off wavelength was found to be 294 nm. The dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss as a function of frequency and temperature was measured for the grown BMZ crystal. Vickers microhardness analysis was carried out to identify the mechanical stability of the grown crystal. Chemical etching study was carried out using different etchants and the etch pit density (EPD) was calculated and compared. The third order nonlinear optical property of BMZ crystal was studied by using Z-scan technique with He-Ne laser (632.8 nm). The magnitude of nonlinear refractive index (n(2)), nonlinear absorption (beta) and third Order nonlinear susceptibility (chi(3)) have been found to be in the range of 10-11 m(2)/W, 10(-4) m/W and 10-5 esu respectively. Photoluminescence spectrum was recorded using a xenon lamp in the range of 330-585 nm and it exhibits ultraviolet light emission. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.