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Nonlinear Interactions of Zinc Phthalocyanine-Graphene Quantum Dots Nanocomposites: Investigation of Effects of Surface Functionalization with Heteroatoms

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Abstract

This study reports the development of functional optical limiting materials composed of pristine graphene (GQDs), nitrogen-doped (NGQDs) and sulfur-nitrogen co-doped (SNGQDs) graphene quantum dots covalently linked to mono-amino substituted zinc phthalocyanine (Pc). Open aperture Z-scan technique was employed to monitor the behaviour of the conjugates under tightly focussed Gaussian laser beam using a mode-locked Nd:YAG laser delivering 10 nanosecond (FWHM) pulses at 532 nm wavelength. Nonlinear effect due to reverse saturable absorption was the predominant mechanism; and was attributed to the moderately enhanced triplet population. The major factor(s) responsible for the enhanced nonlinearities in the Pc-NGQDs and Pc-SNGQDs was fully described and attributed to the surface defects caused by the presence of heteroatoms of N and S.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST)/Nanotechnology (NIC) and National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa through DST/NRF South African Research Chairs Initiative for Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology (UID 62620) and Rhodes University.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa

    Owolabi M. Bankole, Ojodomo J. Achadu & Tebello Nyokong

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  1. Owolabi M. Bankole
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  2. Ojodomo J. Achadu
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Correspondence to Tebello Nyokong.

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There are no potential conflicts of interest with regard to this manuscript. The funders have agreed to publication. The research does not involve human participants and/or Animals.

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Bankole, O.M., Achadu, O.J. & Nyokong, T. Nonlinear Interactions of Zinc Phthalocyanine-Graphene Quantum Dots Nanocomposites: Investigation of Effects of Surface Functionalization with Heteroatoms. J Fluoresc 27, 755–766 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-016-2008-8

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