Growth of Racemic Tartaric Acid Single Crystal and Characterization

Single crystal of Tartaric acid monohydrate, a racemic tartaric acid, has been grown by slow solvent evaporation technique. The maximum size of the crystal obtained is 34x25x15 mm3. The grown crystals were subjected to various characterizations in order to reveal its properties. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies were carried out in order to confirm the compound, and the obtained cell parameters were compared with the literature values. Moreover the compound was confirmed by the identification of functional groups using Fourier transform infrared analysis. The grown crystal was subjected to optical studies to find the transmittance in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation of wavelength in the range 200 to 1100 nm. Thermal studies such as Thermogravimetric and Differential thermal analysis were carried out to find the thermal stability of the grown crystal. Vickers microhardness testing was made on the as grown crystalline surface to find the surface hardness, yield strength and other related mechanical properties of the crystal.