II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals and hybrids polymer–nanocrystal systems have been subject of intense interdisciplinary research activity in the last few years. This research includes the development of synthesis protocols for obtaining nanocrystals with high control of chemical composition, shape, size and optical and electronic properties, the investigation of the electronic properties by a wide range of advanced spectroscopic techniques and the demonstration and optimization of a wide range of devices, such as light emitting diodes, solar cells, optically-pumped lasers, and sensors. Moreover the combination of nanocrystals with organic polymers allows the development of novel functional materials combining the best properties of the components and thus with performances improved with respect to the ones of the individual components. This Special Issue of Nanomaterials aims to describe the state-of-the-art and the recent advances of the synthesis methods of II-VI nanocrystals, of the photophysics investigation of their electronic properties and of their possible applications in photonic and optoelectronic devices.
Keywords: Colloidal synthesis; Ultrafast Spectroscopy; Single emitter Spectroscopy; Optically pumped Lasers; Light Emitting Diodes; Solar cells; Biomarkers; semiconductor nanocrystals; hybrids polymer-nanocrystal; nanodevices.