Fullerene-functionalized carbon nanotubes as Improved optical limiting devices

摘要

We report the synthesis, characterization and optical limiting behavior of a nanohybrid built by grafting C_(60)-fullerenes on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The nonlinear optical limiting properties of the CNT-C_(60) complex were investigated at wavelengths where C_(60) does not absorb. We found that the nanohybrid had superior performances to those of CNTs and ful-lerenes, either taken individually or as a mixture. This enhanced optical limitation of the nanohybrid suggests not only cooperative but also synergistic effects between the two carbon forms. A mechanism involving higher excitonic states of the CNTs formed by Auger recombination of low energy excitons is proposed.