Molecular orientation in single crystal thin films of N-(4-nitrophenyl)-(L)-prolinol

Abstract

Thin single crystal films of N-(4-nitrophenyl)-(L)-prolinol (NPP) were prepared using the modified shear method. The surface orientation of the single crystal films was determined by x-ray diffraction and was found to be [101]. Polarized microscopy showed uniform birefringence and complete extinction when the thin film was rotated under crossed polarization, implying single crystal thin films with uniform surface were obtained. The molecular orientation in the NPP thin film was studied by polarized UV-visible and polarized micro-FTIR spectroscopy along with x-ray diffraction. The orientation of the NPP molecules was found to be almost parallel to the plane of the film. This parallel orientation is because of the polar (hydrogen bonding) interaction of the −(OH) and the N=O groups of the NPP molecule with the hydrophilic substrate surface. The results of the second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements are consistent with such a molecular orientation. These results show that the final molecular and crystallographic orientation in the film is determined by its initial molecule-substrate interaction.