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A novel transparent organic crystal ‘Bis glycine’ squarate has been grown by a slow evaporation method. Single crystal XRD confirms the monoclinic lattice with space group C2/c in BGSQ crystal with a refinement value (R) of 0.06. The molecular electron charge density distribution of the BGSQ compound is described. The growth rate of the BGSQ crystal is estimated by morphological study. The Hirshfeld surface gives information about intermolecular interactions within the crystal structure and the fingerprint plot shows the nature and type of intermolecular close contact experienced by the molecules in a crystal. The FTIR spectrum confirms the various functional groups present in the grown crystal. Thermal stability and melting point (182.20 °C) were studied with TGA-DTA. The low value of the dielectric constant of BGSQ suggests that the crystal can be used in the microelectronics industry. In UV spectra, a lower cutoff value at 280 nm and a wide band gap of 4.25 eV for the BGSQ crystal are observed. Meyer's index number (1.817) in hardness studies confirmed the soft nature of the crystals. Voids have been used to describe the mechanical strength of crystalline materials.

The present work aims to develop tamoxifen-loaded polymeric micelles and explore their potential in topical delivery of the drug to breast cancer cells. The PLGA–PEG copolymer was chemically synthesized and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the polymer was determined, drug loaded micelles were developed by a modified solvent dialysis method. The developed system was characterized for micromeritics, surface charge, drug entrapment and morphology. Furthermore, nanocarriers were evaluated for drug-release-kinetics, erythrocyte-compatibility, in vitro cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and a dermal pharmacokinetic profile. The developed system was of a spherical shape with size of 76.4 ± 2.1 nm and a neutral surface charge (−4.89 mV). The system was able to offer 60.86 ± 3.21% drug entrapment. Along with drug release controlling behaviour, the cytotoxic potential of tamoxifen against MCF-7 cell lines was substantially enhanced. Dermatokinetic studies revealed better drug availability to both the epidermis and dermis than that of the plain drug. The PLGA–PEG-based micellar system offered a safer and effective option for better delivery of tamoxifen to breast cancer with immense promise of delivery across skin.

Novel non-linear sodium para-nitrophenolate dihydrate (SPNPD) single crystals were grown by the controlled evaporation method. Various functional groups and chemical bonding were identified by FTIR and Raman analysis. Hirshfeld surface and fingerprint plots were drawn and analyzed to investigate the intermolecular interactions present in the crystal structure. UV-visible studies indicate the high transmittance of the crystals in the visible region with a wide band gap 2.80 eV. In the photoluminescence spectrum, a sharp broad emission peak centered at 525 nm indicates green emission. In the dielectric study a broad peak with low dielectric constant value was observed at 34 °C which may be due to a ferroelectric to paraelectric transition. Piezoelectricity was confirmed by determining the piezoelectric charge coefficient (d33 = 2.24 pC N−1). The hysteresis loop shows values of remnant polarization and coercive field of 2.67 μC cm−2 and 7.43 kV cm−1, respectively. Piezo-/ferroelectricity were reported for the first time in p-nitrophenolate based compounds. SHG efficiency of this material was found to be 4.15 times of that of KDP. The mechanical strength was confirmed from a Vicker’s microhardness study and void volume. Thus the promising piezoelectric, ferroelectric behavior of the material along with high SHG efficiency and low dielectric constant, established SPNPD as a potential material for transducer, optoelectronics and nonvolatile memory devices applications.

Single crystals of 0.01 and 0.02 mol% crystal violet dye doped triglycine sulfate (NH2CH2COOH)3·H2SO4 (TGS) have been grown by a slow evaporation technique. Enhanced dielectric, optical, thermal and mechanical properties have been achieved by dye doping. Monoclinic structures showing particular coloring patterns and morphology change with dye concentration were obtained. Various functional groups and dye incorporation in the grown crystals were confirmed qualitatively by FTIR and Raman analysis. A significant increase in Curie temperature from 50 to 55 °C with a decrease in maximum permittivity has been observed. The UV-vis spectra showed an increased transmittance window and an increased optical band gap from 5.61 to 6.11 eV as a result of doping. An increase in the sharpness and intensity of the photoluminescence peak with a blue shift has been observed in doped crystals. The thermal stability and the decomposition temperature were found to increase by about 10 °C in 0.01 mol% dye doped TGS. The mechanical strength of the grown crystals was estimated by the Vickers microhardness test and was found to be high for dye doped TGS. A high piezoelectric charge coefficient d33 of 16 pC N−1 was observed for pure TGS which decreased as a result of the dye effect. The fabrication of a patch antenna was carried out after simulating its resonant frequency, making it suitable for telecommunication applications.

Organic non-linear optical single crystals of benzil have been grown by Czochralski (Cz) and slow-evaporation techniques. The crystal morphology was characterized by computing the growth rates of the planes, which were found to be affected by solvent modification. Intermolecular interactions of the benzil crystal were explored by Hirshfeld surface and 2D fingerplot in a novel visual manner. A linear optical study was carried out by UV-vis transmission spectroscopy, in which the Cz grown crystal was found to be more transparent with a cut-off wavelength at 406 nm. Photoluminescence emission was observed in the green region with higher intensity in Cz grown crystal. The piezoelectric charge coefficients were found to be 4, 1, 6 and 3 pC N−1 along (100), (010), (001) and (10) planes of the solution grown crystal. The study of Vicker's microhardness and volume of voids in the grown crystals confirmed that the Cz grown crystal has better mechanical strength. Patch antenna based on the substrate of Cz grown benzil crystal was simulated for resonant frequency at 12.6 GHz and fabricated, and is suitable for piezoelectric, sensor and telecommunication applications.