Patent ID: 8847197

Claim:
A composite material comprising: (a) a particle comprising: a microbead comprising a primary matrix material; a population of semiconductor nanoparticles contained within the microbead, the nanoparticles comprising at least one surface-bound ligand; a first additive to enhance the physical, chemical and/or photo-stability of the semiconductor nanoparticles and, a surface coating disposed on the surface of the microbead; wherein, the primary matrix material, the surface bound ligand, the additive, and the surface coating are different materials; and (b) a secondary matrix material in the form of one or more secondary particles containing one or more secondary additives to enhance the physical, chemical and/or photo-stability of the semiconductor nanoparticles, wherein (c) the particle of (a) is dispersed within the secondary matrix material of (b) and wherein the first additive and the one or more secondary additives are the same or different.