Optical limiting properties of a 1,3,5,7-tetraaryl-azaBODIPY dye and its silver nanoparticle conjugate

The optical limiting properties of a 1,7-dithien-3-yl-3,5-di-4-hydroxyphenyl-azaBODIPY dye and its silver nanoparticle (AgNP) conjugate on the nanosecond timescale at 532 nm are reported. The photophysicochemical properties are compared to those of the parent 1,3,5,7-tetraphenylazaBODIPY complex. The thien-3-yl rings at the distal positions facilitate conjugation to AgNPs through the Ag-S interaction and a significant red shift of the main azaBODIPY spectral band. Favorable optical limiting properties are obtained that suggest 1,3,5,7-tetraarylazaBODIPYs and their nanoparticle conjugates merit further in-depth study in this context. This is further enhanced by conjugation to AgNPs.