Development of New Classes of Optical Materials Based On Dendrimer/Polymer Composites

Dendrimers provide a unique and interesting method to introduce single or multiple chromophores into polymeric films to tailor the polymer's optical properties. The fabrication of nanostructure materials allows for new degrees of freedom for the control of absorption, index of refraction, dispersion, and nonlinear optical properties. Dendrimer/Polymer composites can be engineered for use in the visible, near IR, and mid-IR regions of the spectrum that will result in improved optical designs for military systems allowing for reduced weight and size, and improved performance over the range of temperatures. The objective of this project is to design and fabricate the Dendrimer/Polymer Composites to provide a host matrix for multicomponent systems with specific indices of refraction and dispersion in the visible (0.4-0.7 μm) and infrared (0.7-8 μm) regions of the spectrum. The possible use of Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers and Nafion polymeric membranes is under investigation. The specific properties desired for these materials, such as specific tolerances for refractive indices over a range of wavelengths and desired values for dispersion were defined. The investigative goals will be to produce materials having negative dn/dt, negative dispersion, and anomalous dispersion. The bare Nafion membranes and the PAMAM G (0.0) coated Nafion membranes were characterized using different analytical tools such as UV-Vis, FTIR, TGA, DSC, SEM, DMA and AFM. The Cauchy dispersion and Sellmeier dispersion of the membranes (uncoated and dendrimer coated) in the infrared region will be characterized using a spectroscopic ellipsometer. The composite system will be designed using the Optics Software for Layout and Optimization (OSLO) software. The specific dendrimer/polymer composites will be fabricated to accomplish the composite system.