Simultaneous synthesis of luminescent carbon nanoparticles and carbon nanocages by laser ablation of carbon black suspension and their optical limiting properties

Both luminescent carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) and carbon nanocages (CNCs) were simultaneously synthesized using laser ablation of carbon black suspension in poly(ethylene glycol). The formation of luminescent CNPs and CNCs depends on the size of carbon black and the laser power density. The optical limiting (OL) measurements of luminescent CNPs, CNCs and their mixture were performed using the open Z-scan technique at the laser wavelength of 532 nm. The mixture of luminescent CNPs and CNCs shows much stronger OL response than carbon black, luminescent CNPs and CNCs in the PEG500N solution. The luminescent CNPs can help to enhance the OL effects of CNC suspensions.