Polymers are widely used in many areas, but often their individual properties are not sufficient for use in certain applications. One of the solutions is the creation of polymer-based composites and nanocomposites. In such materials, in order to improve their properties, nanoscale particles (at least in one dimension) are dispersed in the polymer matrix. These properties include increased mechanical strength and durability, the ability to create a developed inner surface, adjustable thermal and electrical conductivity, and many others. The materials created can have a wide range of applications, such as biomimetic materials and technologies, smart materials, renewable energy sources, packaging, etc. This article reviews the usage of composites as a matrix for the optical sensors and biosensors. It highlights several methods that have been used to enhance performance and properties by optimizing the filler. It shows the main methods of combining indicator dyes with the material of the sensor matrix. Furthermore, the role of co-fillers or a hybrid filler in a polymer composite system is discussed, revealing the great potential and prospect of such matrixes in the field of fine properties tuning for advanced applications.

Silicon dioxide thin films with organic fluorescent dyes with different amount of matrix layers were prepared by sol–gel spin coating and dripping technique, synthetic and subsequent treatment parameters were proposed for obtaining materials with high homogeneity and dye stability. The structural, morphological and optical properties of obtained materials have been studied by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Immobilisation of the dye increases the degree of film amorphousness. Immobilisation greatly affects the spectral properties of coumarin 6 and BODIPY due to the dye protonation by acid catalyst, this effect is reversible in case of coumarin 6. Rhodamine 6G spectral characteristics are not influenced by immobilisation. In the hybrid materials monomeric form of the dyes retained at higher concentration compared with solutions. Dye immobilisation was found to increase dyes photostability.

Hybrid materails with dipyrrin based luminophores are of major interest in different areas of material chemistry, sensors and photovoltaics. Vast variety of the materials with BODIPY motif were synthesized and investigated up to date. Modern trend in the material chemistry is the aimed functionalization of them by immobilizing in their structure an active components. Based on interactions between matrix and dye we can control spectral and photophysical characteristics of hybrid material for tuning practically valuable properties for specific tasks. Presented paper summarize the results of our research group, working in the field of hybrid materials with BODIPY dyes: synthesis, spectral characteristics evaluation and possibilities of practical application investigation. Discussion is focused on the methods of synthesis of materials and practical application of them as sensors for pH, polarity and in OLED devices.