A novel approach to analyze photoinduced effects in a DR1 dye-doped hybrid nanocomposite film

Abstract

Photoinduced effects were analyzed through a novel approach in a guest-host DR1 dye-doped organic–inorganic nanocomposite at two cured and uncured cases. Moreover, the investigation was performed for the material over curing process. The results reflect that by increasing the heating time and completing the curing procedure, birefringence, dichroism, and the maximum probe transmittance will be enhanced. The best time of complete curing of the sample at the temperature 140 °C was also determined by measuring the saturated birefringence-probe intensity once every 40 min. In this approach, it was proved that the least time needed for complete curing of the sample was about 4 h. Last but not least, comparing rise and fall times in the birefringence-probe intensity of the cured sample (as a thermoset polymer) with that of a DR1 dye-doped poly (methyl methacrylate; PMMA; as a thermoplastic polymer of the second kind) showed that how the dye molecules can behave completely different in the two microscopically rigid and flexible structures.