Enhanced electro-optic activity of two novel bichromophores which are synthesized by Cu(I) catalyzed click-reaction

Abstract

Two novel bichromophores YL1 and YL2 based on traditional aniline chromophore YL were synthesized by Cu(I) catalyzed click-reaction and systematically investigated in this paper. The UV–Vis, electrochemical property, thermal stability and EO activity of these chromophores were systematically studied and discussed. These two bichromophores showed good thermal stability. Then nonlinear optical polymer films were fabricated by doping chromophores into polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The doped films containing bichromophores YL1 and YL2 showed r33 values of 20 and 17 p.m./V at concentration of 25 wt% at 1310 nm. These values were respectively 2.85 times and 2.43 times of the EO activity of chromophore YL (7 p.m./V). High r33 values indicated that the new structure of bichromophores YL1 and YL2 can reduce intermolecular electrostatic interactions, thus enhancing macroscopic EO activity. These properties suggested the potential use of the new bichromophores in nonlinear optical materials.