Synthesis and characterization of a new fluorinated nonlinear optical chromophore

A new fluorinated azobenzene chromophore and its non-fluorinated analogue have been synthesized and characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The hyperpolarizabilities were characterized through solvatochromic method and the dispersions of hyperpolarizabilities were studied in terms of the quantum-mechanical two-level model. In contrast with its non-fluorinated analogue, the new fluorinated chromophore exhibits a considerable hypsochromic shift of the absorption maximum and cut-off absorption wavelength, which could lead to a better transparency in operating wavelength of electronic devices. The results also show that the fluorinated chromophore possesses higher thermal stability and the same order of the hyperpolarizability comparing with its non-fluorinated analogue.