Growth, structure and spectral studies of a novel mixed crystal potassium zinc manganese sulphate

Mixed crystals of K2Zn0.84 Mn0.16(SO4)2·6H2O were grown from an equimolar aqueous solution of Tutton's salt, K2 Zn(SO4)2·6H2O and MnSO4 by slow evaporation solution growth technique. The crystal composition as determined by single crystal XRD analysis reveals the co-existence of zinc and manganese in the mixed crystal. The surface morphological changes are observed by scanning electron microscopy. Small variations in cell parameter values, slight shifts in characteristic vibrational patterns in FT-IR and reduction in intensities observed in XRD confirm the crystal stress as a result of formation of mixed crystal. High resolution XRD diffraction estimates the crystalline perfection of the mixed crystal with predominantly vacancy type of defects. It belongs to P21/c space group with cell parameter values, a=6.1530 Å, b=12.2230 Å, c=9.0430 Å, α=β=ν=90°, V=657.56 Å(3), Z=4. High transmittance in the visible region is observed.