A novel hybrid single crystal of bis[4-(2-aminoethyl) morpholine] cadmium diacetate tetrahydrate (AEMCA) with a bar-like transparent morphology was grown by the slow evaporation solution growth technique. The unit-cell parameters of AEMCA were determined as a = 8.8639(4) Å, b = 9.1035(5) Å, c = 9.2106(5) Å, α = 66.004(2)°, β = 73.603(2)°, γ = 70.161(2)°, and V = 629.63(6) ų by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups through molecular vibrations. The UV–Vis study revealed a cut-off wavelength of 260 nm and an optical band gap of 4.75 eV, highlighting its potential for optical applications. Z-scan analysis was used to evaluate nonlinear optical parameters such as the nonlinear refractive index (n₀), nonlinear absorption coefficient (β), and third-order nonlinear susceptibility (χ³), which was found to be 2.148 × 10⁻⁷ esu. Interestingly, the χ³ value of AEMCA is significantly higher than that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP). The crystal exhibits thermal stability up to 100 °C. Vickers microhardness measurements indicate that AEMCA belongs to the soft material category. The frequency-dependent electrical response of the sample was studied at room temperature.
