Covalent functionalization of Sb2S3 with poly(Nvinylcarbazole) for solid-state broadband laser protection

An optimized complex multi-component nanomaterial system would help greatly enhance the optical limiting performance and applicability of 2D nanomaterials. By using antimony sulfide-[S-1-dodecyl-S0-(a,a0- dimethyl-a00-acetic acid)trithiocarbonate] (Sb2S3–DDAT) as a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent, a highly soluble poly(N-vinylcarbazole)-covalently modified Sb2S3 (Sb2S3–PVK) was synthesized in situ and embedded into a non-optically active poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) matrix producing a PMMA-based film with good optical quality. In contrast to both the Sb2S3/PMMA and Sb2S3:PVK blends/PMMA films, the Sb2S3–PVK/PMMA film exhibits more superior optical limiting performance. After annealing in N2 at 200 8C for 30 minutes, the achieved nonlinear absorption coefficient and limiting threshold are changed from 411.79 cm GWÿ1 and 1.93 J cmÿ2 at 532 nm and 242.79 cm GWÿ1 and 4.17 J cmÿ2 at 1064 nm before annealing to 478.04 cm GWÿ1 and 1.70 J cmÿ2 at 532 nm and 520.92 cm GWÿ1 and 1.40 J cmÿ2 at 1064 nm after annealing, respectively. These advantages make Sb2S3–PVK one of the potential promising candidates for a broadband laser protector in both the visible and near-infrared ranges.