Dielectric and Pyroelectric Properties of Ammonium Hydrogen-DL-Malate Monohydrate, NH4(C4H5O5) H2O
The dielectric and pyroelectric properties of ammonium hydrogen-DL-malate monohydrate NH⊕ (⊖OOCCHOHCH2COOH) • H20 were studied as a function of temperature and crystallographic direction. The components of the dielectric tensor at room temperature are within the limits 5.9 ≦ ε≦ 8.6. The pyroelectric coefficient |p| increases from ≈ 18 μC m-2 K-1 at T= 100 K to 32 μC m-2 K-1 at room temperature. The angular variation of p in the ac-plane of the crystal with symmetry Cc is ≈ 10°.Using an INDO procedure which includes crystal field effects in a self-consistent way (SCEF) the charge distribution in the solid was calculated. With the therefrom resulting dipole moment and together with the dielectric measurements the pyroelectric coefficient |p| and the change of |p| with temperature was calculated. Experiment and theoretical result agree satisfactory.