Synthesis, surface profile, nonlinear reflective index and photophysical properties of curcumin compound

Curcumin and other three curcuminoids (bisdemethoxycurcumin, α-chlorocurcumin and α-methylcurcumin) were synthesized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Fluorescence quantum yields, AFM analysis and image surface profiles were characterized. All compounds possessed electron donor moieties at both ends of the conjugated π-system and an electron acceptor moiety in the middle of the molecules (D-A-D system) and should exhibit different optical properties depending on substituents on the benzene rings. The third order nonlinear optical properties of the curcuminoids have been investigated by z-scan technique. The optical response was characterized by measuring the refractive index (n2) of the derivatives of curcumin using the Z-scan technique. The compounds showed negative and large nonlinear refractive index values of the order of 10−7 cm2/W and reverse saturable absorption with high values of the nonlinear absorption coefficient of the order of 10−4 cm/W. The nonlinear refractive index was found to vary with the different compound. The optical constants of the different compound films were studied and the dispersion of the refractive index was discussed in terms of the Wemple-DiDomenico single oscillator model. The photo-physical properties of these compounds are compared to those of native curcumin, in order to provide a rationale to the design of samples with molecular structures optimized for a photosensitizer. These types of materials may be considering new photonic applications.