This study designs a polymerization, in which ZnO colloids are used to initiate a copolymerization of N-vinylcarbazole and methyl acrylate, to synthesize functional composites for fabricating photoelectric devices. It is proved that a block copolymer is synthesized and a nanocomposite consisting of the ZnO and copolymer is obtained simultaneously. As a result, the ZnO nanocrystals are finely dispersed in the polymer matrix. A film-device is prepared from the obtained nanocomposite which has good film-forming ability and measured about photocurrents under illumination. (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.