a-hopeite single crystals were grown for the first time by single diffusion gel growth technique in sodium metasilicate gel media. Structural characteristics of the grown crystals were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Surface morphology and composition of materials were studied using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis of Xrays. The presence of various functional groups in the grown crystals was identified by performing FTIR studies. Optical transmission study revealed the transparency of the crystal in the entire visible region. Differential thermal and thermo gravimetric analysis established the thermal stability of the a-hopeite crystal.
