Efficient Optical Limiting in Carbon-Nanohorn Suspensions

Nonlinear optical properties of aqueous dispersions single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWCNH) are investigated by a simple and original technique, relating nonlinear transmittance measurements with semi-empirical model fitting allowing to identify the dominant mechanism. The nanofluids shown particularly strong limiting under irradiation nanosecond laser pulses at 355, 532 1064 nm, much stronger than that previously reported in SWCNHs smaller aggregate size. effect is more relevant 355 where nearly ideal behavior output energy practically independent on input one obtained, it attributed massive production bubbles light irradiation. This result opens interesting perspectives for use SWNCH-based suspensions smart materials applications green energy.