Growth and characterisation of gadolinium samarium oxalate single crystals

Abstract

Single crystals of Gadolinium Samarium Oxalate (GSO) are grown by gel method. The crystals are pale yellowish in colour. Morphology and size of the crystals are found to depend on pH of the medium, gel density, concentration of the reactants and acidity of the feed solution. The crystallinity of the grown sample was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies and the lattice parameters were determined. X-ray diffractogram shows well defined peaks. IR spectrum confirms the presence of water molecules and carboxylic group. EDAX analysis confirms the presence of Gd and Sm in the sample. The thermal decomposition behaviour of the crystal was analysed using TGA and DTA studies. © 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.