Significant optical-limiting properties of fulleropyrrolidine loaded Nafion membrane

A novel method of incorporating a series of fulleropyrrolidines into the nanoscale cavities of Nafion membrane through forgoing chemical reaction and successive electrostatic interaction was invented, which was confirmed by UV–Vis–NIR absorption and XPS studies. The aggregated sizes and structures of fulleropyrrolidines were controlled by the cavities of Nafion membrane, which were confirmed by TEM study. The incorporation was a diffusion-controlled process as evidenced from the absorption spectroscopic method. The different diffusion coefficients of fulleropyrrolidines, 1–4, incorporation into Nafion membranes were analyzed. The absorption spectra of fulleropyrrolidines extended to the near infrared region, and the fluorescence emission spectra shifted to the red due to the polar environment of Nafion membrane and the formation of nanoaggregates. The resulting fulleropyrrolidine-Nafion nanocomposites exhibit significant optical-limiting effects at 532 nm, which imply their potential as broadband optical limiters to protect optical devices from damage by lasers.