Defect-controlled fabrication of reduced graphene oxide/ZnO/PMMA-based solid-state optical limiting filters with SA/RSA switching property

Abstract

A solid-state optical limiting filter was fabricated by noncovalently functionalizing a graphene-based nanocomposite with a polymer. Graphene oxide was reduced by varying reducing agent concentration and functionalized with metal oxide nanoparticles to enhance electronic transitions and third-order nonlinear optical characteristics. The nanocomposite was dispersed over the PMMA polymer framework, and thin films with μm-scale thickness were fabricated using the dip coating method. XRD analysis confirmed the wurtzite crystal structure of ZnO nanoparticles and the amorphous nature of PMMA. The carbon structural integrity was analyzed using Raman spectra. Linear optical studies revealed a redshift in the π-π* transition peak in rGO, suggesting enhanced conjugation. Third-order nonlinear refraction and absorption properties were assessed using the Z-scan technique, revealing a switching behavior in nonlinear absorption at different input intensities. An increase in the relative concentration of sp2 domains enhanced the nonlinear absorption. Optical limiting potential, determined using open aperture Z-scan data, yielded a threshold value of 0.066 GW/cm2. This study aims to develop a solid-state optical filter with a high laser damage threshold by adjusting the reduction rate, tuning defect levels, and analyzing its effect on the optical limiting potential.