Nonlinear refraction and absorption phenomena in a novel nanocomposite based on a dye stabilized in a solid hybrid matrix

Nonlinear optical behavior of a novel nanocomposite material based on chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (ClAlPc) embedded in silica and incorporated in the structural nanopores of a Nation membrane is investigated using the Z-scan technique. The experiments are performed at 532 nm using 8 ns pulses at a pulse repetition rate of 10 Hz from a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser. The nonlinearity in the hybrid membranes is characterized by obtaining the nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient. Fluorescence lifetimes are measured using a time-correlated single photon counting technique. The effects of dynamic and static quenching on photostability are studied. Incorporating phthalocynanine molecules in the stable hybrid membrane renders them stable against photobleaching and provides a convenient solid matrix. © 2008 American Chemical Society.