Solution growth, spectral, electrical and mechanical studies of cadmium sulfate hydrate (CDSH) crystals

Cadmium compounds such as cadmium sulfate are used in batteries, pigments and in semiconductor industry. Commercially available cadmium sulfate was purchased and used for the crystal growth. The sample in salt form was dissolved in double distilled water and the saturated solution was prepared. Nearly 38 grams/50 ml are necessary to prepare the saturated solution and the solution was stirred well using a magnetic stirrer for 2 hours and it was filtered using a Whatmann filter paper. The filtered solution was kept in a growth vessel at room temperature and it was loaded into a constant temperature bath to maintain the temperature of the solution constant. Colourless, transparent crystals of size 18 x 17 x10 mm were harvested after a growth period of 25 days. The grown crystals were characterized by using different techniques like XRD, UV-visible studies, SHG, micrhohardness and electrical studies and the results are discussed.