N-Ethylcarbazole as a structure-directing agent in poly[(ethynediyl)(arylene)(ethynediyl)silylene]–poly(phenylsilsesquioxane) hybrid nanomaterials exhibiting photorefraction at telecommunication wavelengths

Abstract

Self-organisation through π-stacking occurs in poly[(ethynediyl)(arylene)(ethynediyl)silylene]–N-ethylcarbazole–poly(phenylsilsesquioxane) compositions giving rise to nanostructured hybrid layered materials exhibiting photorefraction at telecommunication wavelengths. To our knowledge, this is the first such material to be reported the poly[(ethynediyl)(arylene)(ethynediyl)silylene] acting as an optical chromophore, charge generator and conductor. The absorption band tails into the near-IR hence providing charge generation at 1500 nm excitation. The photorefractive response was investigated by using a two-beam coupling technique. The gain of the probe beam intensity, delivered from the pumping beam, reached 40 cm⁻¹ with an electric field strength of 650 kV cm⁻¹ thus confirming the photorefractive nature of the grating. The gain exceeded the absorption (30 cm⁻¹) hence showing the high potential of this material for practical applications.