Effect of L-Serine Doping on Growth and Properties of Ammonium Pentaborate Single Crystal

The single crystals of pure and L-serine-doped ammonium pentaborate (NH4B5O8·4H2O) (APB) are grown using the low-temperature solution growth technique. The grown crystals are 0.8–1 cm in size. The grown crystals have a retained orthorhombic structure symmetry. Spectroscopic study shows the presence of various functional groups such as N–H vibration, B–O asymmetric stretching, O–B–O ring asymmetric, C=O stretching of COOH and C–O stretching. The elemental analysis confirmed the presence of various elements. The linear optical study shows the enhancement in various optical properties such as optical transmittance, energy band gap, skin depth, etc. for APB crystal on account of L-serine doping. The a.c. electrical conductivity of APB crystal is reduced on doping the L-serine in it. The SHG efficiency of L-serine-doped APB crystals is found to be 1.10 times higher than pure APB crystal.