Preparation and nonlinear characterization of zinc selenide nanoparticles embedded in polymer matrix

Nanocomposites of ZnSe nanoparticles embedded in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix have been prepared by in-situ synthesis. ZnSe/PVA nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV/Vis spectra. The nanocomposite structure is confirmed by the blue-shift of the absorption edge. The nonlinear refractive index and two-photon absorption (TPA) coefficient are measured by the Z-scan technique using low power CW He–Ne laser light. The results show that the ZnSe nanocomposite films show large optical nonlinearity and the magnitude of the third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ(3) is calculated to be 2.62×13−11 m2/V2.

► In-situ synthesis of ZnSe/PVA via Chemical Bath Method at room temperature.
► Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coating to prevent the photo oxidation of ZnSe nanoparticles.
► From TEM image, the particle morphology of nanocomposites is of spherical type.
► Band gap of ZnSe/PVA nanocomposites Eg≈2.73 eV due to quantum confinement effect.
► Negative type of optical nonlinearity of ZnSe/PVA studied by Z-scan technique.