Synthesis, crystal growth of an adduct 2:1 4-aminobenzoic acid-nicotinic acid (AMN) and characterization are reported. The crystallographic data of the title compound are obtained from single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The optical absorbance spectrum from 200 to 2250 nm shows the cutoff occurs at 490 nm. Thermal analysis carried out reveals the melting point and thermal stability of the grown crystal. Dielectric studies were carried out at different temperatures and frequencies. Vicker's microhardness test was performed to analyze the mechanical strength of the grown specimen. The grown features were analyzed by chemical etching. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V.