Nonlinear Optical Stability of Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU)-Containing Anthraquinones with High Transmittance

In a previous study, three kinds of polymers are synthesized by the covalent bonding of three anthraquinone chromophores to polyphenylene sulfone. Herein, the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of solutions and thin films of anthraquinone-containing polyphenylsulfone, which can function as effective optical limiting materials are discussed in detail. The reasons for the improved NLO properties of the thin films are explained from the perspective of chromophore content, polarization orientation, and energy level transition. In addition, the NLO properties thermal stability and chemical stability of the three polymers are tested. The results show that the three types of polyphenylsulfone materials have excellent optical limiting properties. Further, since the nonlinear optical coefficient decreases by less than 8% after treatment by heat and acid or basic solutions, they exhibit excellent nonlinear optical stability.