Optical Functions, Thermal Stability and Anti-Bacterial Assessment of 4-Chloro-N-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl) - aniline (CMA) Crystal

Abstract

A organic nonlinear optical crystal, 4-Chloro-N-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl)aniline (CMA), was successfully integrated and grown using the slow evaporation method. The molecular was manipulated using piperonaldehyde, 4-chloroaniline, and sodium borohydride to obtain a structurally stable, optically transparent, and suitable for crystal growth. Single X-ray diffraction confirmed that CMA crystallizes in the orthorhombic noncentrosymmetric space group Pca2₁. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns are used to sharp and intense reflections, confirming high crystallinity and structural order. Ultraviol visible showed two characteristic absorption edges, 282 nm and 343 nm, followed by more than 90% transmittance in the visible region. The optical band gap was determined to be 3.16 eV, indicating wide bandgap behaviour and a strong insulating nature. Dielectric analysis yielded a dielectric constant of 1.35, substantiating low dielectric loss and stable polarization response. Thermogravimetric and differential Thermal analysis (TG/DTA) analysis indicates thermal stability of the melting point of 153 °C. Antibacterial studies revealed the inhibition of the Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The SHG efficiency of the CMA was found to be 27 % of KDP, confirming the NLO activity.