The　preparation　and　characterization　of　free-standing　films　made　of　a　graphene　oxide-carboxymethyl　cellulose　composite　material　is　described.　Characterization　was　accomplished　using　transmission　electron　microscopy,　ultraviolet　visible　absorption　spectroscopy,　Raman　spectroscopy,　and　thermal　gravimetric　analysis.　The　nonlinear　optical　performance　of　this　composite　material　was　studied　using　the　open　aperture　Z-scan　technique　in　the　nanosecond　regime　using　a　532-nm　wavelength　laser.　Results　show　that　the　composite　has　nonlinear　optical　properties　that　are　much　enhanced　when　composited　with　graphene　oxide.　All　phenomena　indicate　that　the　film　is　a　potential　candidate　for　optical　limiting　applications.　(C)　2013　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.