Cobalt hexacyanoferrate–poly(methyl methacrylate) composite: Synthesis and characterization

The preparation of cobalt hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles–poly(methyl methacrylate) (CoHCF–PMMA) composites are described together with their characterization and thermochromic properties. CoHCF nanoparticles – investigated by dynamic light scattering – were prepared by optimizing solvent composition and temperature to obtain nanoparticles with a reduced degree of aggregation. The nanoparticles were embedded in a PMMA matrix to obtain a transparent coloured composite which was studied by transmission electron microscopy. The nanoparticle chromic features, enhanced by their reduced sizes, were investigated by UV–vis and FT-IR spectroscopy.