Characterization of pure and doped potassium hydrogen tartrate single crystals grown in silica gel

Abstract

Abstract Growth of pure‐, sodium‐ and lithium‐ doped potassium hydrogen tartrate single crystals by gel technique is reported. Growth conditions conducive for the growth of single crystals are worked out. The crystals are characterized by using powder XRD, SEM, FTIR, AES, EDAX, CH analysis and thermoanalytical techniques. The stoichiometric composition for the grown crystals are established as KHC 4 H 4 O 6 .H 2 O, (K) 0.98 (Na) 0.02 .H 2 O and (K) 0.94 (Li) 0.06 HC 4 H 4 O 6 .H 2 O. Doping of sodium and lithium in the pure potassium hydrogen tartrate single crystals is found to influence the size, perfection, morphology, crystal structure and the thermal stability of crystals. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)