Nanocrystal Based Luminescent Composites for Nano Imprinting Lithography

The design of new functional materials, able to join novel tailored physical and chemical properties with versatile and reliable processing capabilities, represents one of the most crucial challenges in modern materials science. In this view, nanocomposite materials, based on polymers functionalized with inorganic nanoparticles, are particularly attractive.[1-3] Indeed they are considered a high-impact class of materials, able to convey the unique size-dependent properties of nanosized particles into highly processable polymers, char- acterized by peculiar mechanical and optical qualities.[4, 5] The realized nanocomposites may then exhibit extraordi- nary optical[6, 7] and magnetic[8] properties, as well as conduc- tivity,[9, 10] permeability,[11] catalytic activity,[12] and mechani- cal strength.[13] At the same time, these functional materials are suitable for flexible and innovative fabrication processes, allowing for micro- and nanometric patterning required for the manufacture of original devices in photonic and opto- electronic applications.