Structural, optical, mechanical, electrical, and antimicrobial activities of L-Glutamine Barium Acetate (LGBA) single crystal for biological, optical and photonic applications

The most generally used slow evaporation technique at ambient temperature is used to develop L-glutamine barium acetate (LGBA) materials for a variety of applications. The crystallinity, cell parameters (a = 16.22, b = 7.8 and c = 5.13), and space group (P2(1)2(1)2(1)) of the grown material are confirmed through X-Ray diffraction test and shows the grown material belongs to orthorhombic structure. The optical analysis clearly shows that LGBA crystals have higher transparency window from 233 to 800 nm, and Eg = 5.80 eV demonstrates the prepared crystals are suitable for optical applications. In addition, the important optical constants such as extinction coefficient, refractive indices, skin depth and optical conductivity are strongly depend on photon energy of the LGBA material indicating the phototunable nature of the material. The mechanical properties are validated with the aid of Vickers' microhardness measurement and it shows the work hardening coefficient of LGBA material and its value 3.7 which suggests the grown LGBA belongs to the class of soft material. Morphology of the grown material such as crystalline size, shape and purity is analyzed via SEM and HRTEM measurement. The SHG efficiency of the LGBA crystal grown is 1.33 times greater than that of the KDP crystal, because Ba+ ions strengthen the SHG efficiency of LGBA, as estimated by Kurtz and Perry's technique. Electrical results have documented the good conducting properties of LGBA crystal. The electrical study clearly identifies the grown crystal is less defective, good quality material because AC conductivity is high at high-frequency region. An antimicrobial assay validates that the LGBA substance is used to treat fungal and bacterial infections.