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Amphiphilic Au nanoparticle-decorated PEGylated graphene oxides (Au@PEG-GO) are used to construct multiple plasmonic nanostructures for enhancing the performance of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Because of the long side-chains of the Au@PEG-GO nanocomposites, the nanoparticles can be well dispersed both in organic and aqueous solvents, allowing them to be incorporated readily into the buffer layers, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and the organic photoactive layers within OLEDs during the soultion processes. Herein, the Au@PEG-GO nanocomposites are blended into either the PEDOT:PSS or the emissive layer of OLEDs to trigger surface plasmonic effects, thereby improving the device efficiencies. The current efficiencies are improved by ca. 20% for both cases. More importantly, the simultaneous addition of the Au@PEG-GO nanocomposites into both layers leads to even pronounced plasmonic effects. Under the optimized condition, the current efficiency is enhanced by up to 38%, suggesting the plasmonic fields from both layers attributed to the device enhancement. We anticipate that the accumulated plasmonic effects originating from the multiple plasmonic nanostructures will open up new avenues for improving the performance of various solution-processed optoelectronic devices involving organic dyes. Image 1 • Orthogonal solvents are required to avoid the problem of intermixing of organiclayers. • Amphiphilic Au NPs are synthesized. • The NPs and can be dispered very well in both aqueous and organc solvents. • Thereofre, the Au NPs can be added into either the buffer or the emissive layersof OLEDs. • Au NPs in both organic layers exhibit accumulated plasmonic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since their inception, quantum dots have proven to be advantageous for light management applications due to their high brightness and well‐controlled absorption, scattering, and emission properties. As quantum dots become commercially available at large scale, the need for robust, stable, and flexible optical components continues to drive the development of robust and flexible quantum dot composite materials. In this review, after a thorough introduction to quantum dots, discussion delves into methods for fabricating quantum dot loaded composite optical elements such as thin films, microfabricated patterns, and microstructures. The importance of surface chemistry and ligand engineering, host matrixes, wet processing, and unique patterning methodologies is presented by considering photostability, aggregation, and phase separation of quantum dots in corresponding composites. With regard to prospective optical applications of quantum dot materials, emphasis is placed on light emitting and guiding composite materials for lasing applications, specifically whispering gallery mode‐based photonic microsystems. These developments will enable novel flexible, portable, and miniaturized optoelectronic devices such as light‐emitting diodes, flexible pixelated displays, solar cells, large‐area microwaveguides, omnidirectional micromirrors, optical metasurfaces, and directional microlasers. Herein the state of the art of quantum dot composite materials is described, with particular interest paid to light emitting and guiding technologies. Great attention is paid to micropatterning, focusing on the importance of surface chemistry and ligand engineering, host matrixes, and wet processing to achieve optimal photostability, aggregation, and phase separation of quantum dots in corresponding patterns and resulting devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]