Gel growth and perfection of orthorhombic potassium perchlorate single crystals

Abstract

The present paper describes detailed studies made on the growth and perfection of potassium perchlorate (KClO₄) single crystals. Studies of various reactants on the growth of these crystals have been discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of different acid set gels to grow these crystals have also been discussed. It has been shown that in test tube experiments, percholic acid set gels are better, whereas in a beaker-single tube system, organic acid set gels yield better results than the mineral acid set gels. The effect of temperature on nucleation, growth and morphology of these crystals has been studied. It has been found that the nucleation density decreases as the temperature increases. A mixture of 36N H₂SO₄ and 0.25M Na₂SO₃ in the volume ratio 1:1 has been found to reveal as grown as well as freshly introduced dislocations in these crystals.