Studies on the effect of polymer coating on solution grown hygroscopic non-linear optical single crystal of L-lysine monohydrochloride.

Nonlinear optical single crystals are getting attention because of its enormous applications in the area of fiber optic communication and optical signal processing. In this article, we are reporting the single crystal growth of l-lysine monohydrochloride by slow evaporation solution growth technique, by using double distilled water as the solvent. We found that the grown single crystal is bulk in size and fairly transparent. But after a period of time, due to its hygroscopic nature, the transparency is completely vanished and became opaque. Then we have attempted to coat the poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer on the surface of l-lysine monohydrochloride (l-LMHCL) single crystal by dip coating method. This polymer coating is giving resistance to hygroscopic nature and also acting as thin protective covering layer without affecting the other properties. Then we have systematically studied the different properties of bare, polymer coated and hygroscopic l-LMCHL single crystals. Its crystalline perfection was examined by high resolution X-ray diffractometer and found major differences in crystalline quality. Its structural and optical behavior was assessed by powder X-ray diffraction, UV-vis and luminescence analyses.