The effects of liquid environments on the optical properties of linear carbon chains prepared by laser ablation generated plasmas

► Linear carbon chains are produced by laser ablation in different solvents. ► UV-vis spectra show that solvent effects are negligible for these species. ► DFT calculations indicate that polyynes are the main species produced. ► Solvent's polarity and chain length play a driving role in nonlinear optical response. ► A change from RSA to SA is observed as function of both solvent polarity and acidity.