Enhanced nonlinear optical properties of graphene-oligothiophene hybrid material

The nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of an oligothiophene (6THIOP) covalently functionalized graphene hybrid material (Graphene-6THIOP) were investigated by using Z-scan technique with a 5ns Q-switched pulsed laser at 532 nm. Results show that the hybrid material of Graphene-6THIOP exhibits enhanced nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties in comparison to individual 6THIOP, graphene moiety and C-60. The enhanced nonlinear optical properties of Graphene-6THIOP should be attributed to the combination of the observed nonlinear scattering with the possible photoinduced electron or energy transfer mechanism between 6THIOP moiety and graphene. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America