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The coupling of TiO2 and phosphorus-doped carbon nanodot and their effective optical limiting applications are explored in the current study. The Z-scan technique is used for probing the characteristic optical limiting properties of the hybrid. It's interesting to point out that the optical limiting value of the P-CND/TiO2 hybrid in its crystalline phase (C-TiO2) displays a lower limiting threshold value (1.98 × 1012 Wm−2) than that of TiO2 alone (2.24 × 1012 Wm−2). The morphology of hybrids, such as the distribution of TiO2 nanoparticles on the exfoliated layers of P-CND (FE-SEM), and the characteristic bonding, Ti–O–C, of the hybrid (FT-IR), point out that there exists a synergistic coupling between the TiO2 nanoparticle and P-CND. The π-conjugated electrons and higher optical density facilitate electron/energy transfer in the hybrid. This apparently enhances the nonlinear optical absorption in C-TiO2. Compared to crystalline phase, TiO2 in the amorphous phase shows substantially lower optical limiting threshold value (1.08 × 1012 Wm−2). This is due to the enhanced oscillation strength induced by the localised excitonic interaction. Conversely, the hybrid in the amorphous phase lowers the nonlinear optical absorption value. The results of hybrids in both crystalline and amorphous phases indicated the optical limiting tunability of the materials. This suggests the use of materials in applications such as fibre optic communication, Q-switching, laser light shielding, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano cellulose is a material of current interest that has attracted considerable attention from researchers due to its interesting properties such as low toxicity, availability, natural abundance, biodegradability, and flexible surface chemistry. Cellulose fiber, usually derived from wood, plant walls or cotton is an eco‐friendly thermal insulation material. The cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) described in this work were derived from cotton via sulfuric acid hydrolysis followed by ultrasonication. The formation of CNF and its morphology were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermooptic parameters of the prepared sample, which to the author's knowledge has not been reported so far, were studied by the dual beam mode‐matched thermal lens technique. Thermal diffusivity (2.61 × 10−8 m2/s) and thermal conductivity (0.108 W/mK) values of the prepared CNFs clearly point to the application potential of the material. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48272. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]