The phenomenon of optical bistability in multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) suspensions
was investigated. Two suspensions of carbon nanotubes were prepared by sonicating MWNT bundles
and dispersing them in distilled water and chloroform, respectively...
The phenomenon of optical bistability in multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) suspensions
was investigated. Two suspensions of carbon nanotubes were prepared by sonicating MWNT bundles
and dispersing them in distilled water and chloroform, respectively. The light source was a
modulated diode-pumped-solid-state Nd:YVO4 laser with a wavelength of 532 nm. Through the
study of the optical bistability in MWNT suspensions, we found that MWNT suspended in chloroform
was more effective than that in water, which was explained by the nonlinear absorption
coefficient related to the thermodynamic properties of the solvents and the heat exchange between
the carbon nanotubes and the solvents.<?