Enhanced linear and nonlinear optical properties of thermally stable ZnO/poly(styrene)-poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite films

► Transparent, ZnO/poly(styrene)-poly(methyl methacrylate) composite films are prepared. ► The nanocomposite films with 10 wt.% ZnO content exhibit good UV-shielding property. ► These films exhibit optical absorptive nonlinearity due to two photon absorption. ► Transmittance minimum around 0.25 has been observed in these nanocomposite films. ► These films show a self-defocusing type negative nonlinear refraction.