Enhanced broadband nonlinear optical response of TiO2/CuO nanosheets via oxygen vacancy engineering

Cupric oxide (CuO), as a transition metal oxide (TMO) semiconductor, has attracted tremendous attention for various applications. In the present work, we synthesize the CuO nanosheets modified by TiO2 nanoparticles via a facile, non-toxic two-step method. Subsequently, the morphology and the structu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dong Li, Chu Hongwei, Wang Xiao, Li Ying, Zhao Shengzhi, Li Dechun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: De Gruyter 2021-02-01
Series:Nanophotonics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1515/nanoph-2020-0649
Description
Summary:Cupric oxide (CuO), as a transition metal oxide (TMO) semiconductor, has attracted tremendous attention for various applications. In the present work, we synthesize the CuO nanosheets modified by TiO2 nanoparticles via a facile, non-toxic two-step method. Subsequently, the morphology and the structures of CuO and TiO2/CuO nanocomposites are investigated. By utilizing the common Z-scan technology, broadband nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the as-prepared CuO nanosheets and TiO2/CuO nanocomposites are demonstrated, elucidating the enhancement on the NLO response via the TiO2 dopant, which is attributed to the more oxygen vacancies and the formed p-n junctions. Furthermore, CuO nanosheets and TiO2/CuO nanocomposites are implemented to the passively Q-switched bulk lasers operating in the near-infrared (NIR) region, generating broadband ultrastable pulses. Ultimately, TiO2/CuO nanocomposites were intergrated in a passive mode-locking bulk laser for the first time, achieving stable mode-locked pulses and verifying its ultrafast optical response potential. Our results illustrate the tremendous prospects of the CuO nanosheets modified by oxygen vacancy engineering as a broadband NLO material in ultrafast photonics field.
ISSN:2192-8606
2192-8614