Effect of glycine as an impurity on the properties of Epsomite single crystals

Epsomite (MgSO4.7H2O) is a hydrogen bonded crystal having a wide range of applications in various fields. Pure and glycine added Epsomite (a total of six) single crystals have been grown and characterized in order to investigate the effect of glycine as an impurity on the properties of Epsomite crystals.The densities and lattice parameters observed indicate that the impurity molecules have entered into the crystal matrix. The grown crystals exhibit good optical transparency in the wavelength range 210-1100 nm. Second harmonic generation measurements indicate that they are nonlinear optically active. Results obtained through microhardness measurements follow the normal indentation size effect. Electrical (AC and DC) measurements indicate that all the six crystals grown in the present study exhibit a normal dielectric behavior and the electrical conduction is understood to be due to the protonic movement. Moreover, glycine addition is found to reduce er value significantly indicating the possibility of Epsomite crystal becoming a low -er value