Synthesis and properties of Prussian blue nanoparticles prepared by using Cetyl Pyridinium Chloride as protecting agent

A new approach for the synthesis of Prussian blue nanoparticles using the cationic surfactant Cetyl Pyridinium Chloride (CPC) as capping agent has been developed in the present work. Powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis absorption spectra, and IR spectroscopy were employed to characterize the product. The TEM image showed that the Prussian blue nanoparticles with diameters of 8-22 nm were obtained. A particle size effect on optical and conductivity properties of the Prussian blue particles was observed. The higher value of activation energy for the nano compound compared to bulk Prussian blue indicates that the ionic conductions are predominant in the nano compound.