Hybrid nanocomposite materials with organic and inorganic components for opto-electronic devices

Hybrid structures consisting of semiconducting organic polymers and strongly luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals offer favorable perspectives through highly saturated, tunable emission and tunable absorption, in combination with an easy processability from solution and low materials cost, which is of importance for several high-tech applications such as hybrid organic–inorganic light-emitting diodes and solar cells. This Feature Article describes selected examples of the design and synthesis of polymer compounds and inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals, followed by operation principles and material choices for devices that are based on combinations of polymers with semiconductor nanocrystals.