Development and characterization of CMC/rGO biocomposites: Enhanced optical and nonlinear properties for sustainable optoelectronic and energy applications

MERGEN Ö. B., KARA S., ARDA E.

Optical Materials, cilt.174, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 174
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.optmat.2026.118023
  • Dergi Adı: Optical Materials
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chimica, Compendex, INSPEC
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: CMC/rGO biocomposites, Linear optical properties, Non-linear optical properties, Optical band gap, Optical dielectric properties, Urbach energy
  • Trakya Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study explores the development and characterization of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) biocomposites for optoelectronic and energy storage applications. Biocomposites with varying rGO content were fabricated using an ultrasonication-assisted solution casting method, ensuring environmentally friendly and cost-effective production. Comprehensive analyses were conducted using Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the structural, optical, and nonlinear optical properties of the biocomposites. The inclusion of rGO significantly enhanced the optical bandgap (Eg), Urbach energy (Eu), and extinction coefficient (k), while improving optical dielectric properties. This study presents a sustainable, fully aqueous method to produce CMC/rGO biocomposites with homogeneous rGO dispersion and strong hydrogen bonding. Unlike previous work, it demonstrates both linear and nonlinear optical enhancements, with tunable bandgap, highlighting their potential for optoelectronic and energy storage applications. Key findings reveal that the rGO addition increased nonlinear optical parameters, such as third-order susceptibility (χ(3)) and nonlinear refractive index (n2), highlighting the potential of CMC/rGO biocomposites for advanced optoelectronic devices. Furthermore, dispersion energy parameters derived using the Wemple-DiDomenico model demonstrated improved polarization and energy carrier dynamics. These results underscore the importance of rGO in optimizing the optical and electronic properties of biopolymer-based nanocomposites, presenting them as a sustainable alternative for next-generation technologies.