Synthesis, structure and properties of a new nonlinear optical material: Zinc cadmium tetrathiocyanate

In this communication, a new nonlinear optical crystal of coordination comp lex, zinc cadmium tetrathiocyanate (ZnCd(SCN)(4)), is reported. It was succ essfully synthesized through several reactions in water. For the crystal st ructure, optical and thermal characterization were determined by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning c alorimeter, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission spectrum. It belon gs to the tetragonal system, space group I4, with a = 11.135(2), c = 4.3760 (10) Angstrom, and z = 2. It exhibits powder SHG efficiencies superior to t hat of cadmium mercury thiocyanate (CMTC) and over 10 times that of urea, a nd the UV transparency cutoff is 290 nm, which is shifted to violet band 90 nm, compared with that of CMTC. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.