This invention concerns a polymer coating material composition (PCM) comprising as components a polymer matrix, carbon nanotubes (CNT) as optical power limiters (OPL), and carbon rich molecules. One aspect of the invention is where the Polymer Matrix is a hyperbranched polymer, such as a hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane polymer. Another aspect of the invention is where the CNT is a short multiwall carbon nanotube (sMWNT). A further aspect of the invention is where the carbon-rich molecules are triethoxysilyl anthracene derivatives. The composition wherein the ratio in weight percent of Polymer Matrix to CNT to carbon-rich molecule is from 94:3:3 to 99.8:0.1:0.1. The composition can further contain one or more of multi-photon absorbers (MPA) chromophores or reverse saturable absorbers (RSA) chromophores. These compositions can be used as: a) a film, b) a coating, c) a liquid, d) a solution, or e) a sandwiched film between two transparent substrates.