Growth and Characterization of Non-Linear Optical Single Crystal: L-cysteine Hydrochloride Monohydrate

Nonlinear optical single crystals of L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate (LCB) were grown by slow evaporation technique. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the crystal system and helped to determine lattice parameter values. Powder X-ray diffraction analyses were carried out and the diffraction patterns were indexed. The optical properties of the crystals were determined using UV-visible spectroscopy. Optical constants such as refractive index, extinction coefficient and electric susceptibility were determined from UV-visible spectroscopy. The Fourier transform infrared studies confirmed the various functional groups present in the grown crystal. The mechanical behaviour of the grown crystals was studied using Vicker's microhardness tester. The thermal analysis confirmed that the crystal was stable up to 108.7°C. The dielectric constant and the dielectric loss measurements were carried out for different temperatures and frequencies. Second harmonic generation of LCB crystal was investigated by the Kurtz powder technique

Green synthesis and characterization of copper oxide nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity

Copper Oxide (CuO) nanoparticles were synthesized through a green approach using the papaya and banana peel reducing as well as a stabilizing agents and copper (II) nitrate trihydrate salt as a precursor. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The characterization results revealed about the CuO NPs structure, shape, energy gap, and functional group variations. The energy band-gap was calculated to be 1.92 (papaya peel extract), and 1.22 eV (banana peel extract), respectively. Under visible light irradiation, the photocatalytic activity of CuO NPs was investigated by degrading Methylene blue (MB) dye. It depicts that synthesized CuO NPs have a great potential for application as a photocatalyst to degrade textile colours in wastewater treatment in a short period. Moreover, the pseudo-first-order reaction rate constants were found to be 0.00359 min−1 (papaya peel extract) and 0.00335 min−1 (banana peel extract), respectively