Abstract: The method for making carbon-coated copper nanoparticles is a simple, one-step for coating copper nanoparticles with a carbon shell to prevent rapid oxidation of the carbon nanoparticle core. The method involves heating or autoclaving thin sheets of copper hydroxide nitrate (Cu2(OH)3NO3) under supercritical conditions (a temperature of 300° C. and a pressure of 120 bar) for two hours. The autoclaving may be performed in the presence of an inert gas, such as argon, which may be used to remove any remaining gases, and the pressure may be released in the presence of the inert gas so that the product may be collected in the presence of air.

Abstract: A thermochromic polymeric nanocomposite includes layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and an embedded organic polymer. The thermochromic polymeric nanocomposite exhibits thermochromic activity, e.g., changes in color in response to a change in higher temperatures. The higher temperatures can range from 100° C.-150° C. or higher. As such, the thermochromic polymeric nanocomposite can be used to monitor temperature changes for materials approaching very high temperatures.