Photoluminescent zinc oxide polymer nanocomposites fabricated using picosecond laser ablation in an organic solvent

► We ablated zinc in a polyurethane-doped tetrahydrofuran solution by picosecond laser pulses. ► As reaction product zinc oxide-polymer nanocomposites are formed. ► The nanocomposites consist of an oxidized and crystalline ZnO core and a polymer shell. ► The use of tetrahydrofuran as solvent enables the use of polar or semi-polar polymer. ► The laser-generated nanocomposites show green photolumiscence due to oxygen defects.