Preparation, characterization, and nonlinear optical properties of graphene oxide-carboxymethyl cellulose composite films

•Free-standing composite films were prepared by doping graphene oxide (GO) into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) matrix.•The nonlinear optical (NLO) performance was studied using the open aperture Z-scan technique.•Pure CMC possesses an optical limiting property.•GO–CMC composite films display enhanced NLO performance when compared with CMC at 532 nm.

The preparation and characterization of free-standing films made of a graphene oxide-carboxymethyl cellulose composite material is described. Characterization was accomplished using transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The nonlinear optical performance of this composite material was studied using the open aperture Z-scan technique in the nanosecond regime using a 532-nm wavelength laser. Results show that the composite has nonlinear optical properties that are much enhanced when composited with graphene oxide. All phenomena indicate that the film is a potential candidate for optical limiting applications.