Thermo-responsive Hercosett/Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) films: A new, fast, optically responsive coating

► A new smart composite film was prepared using a cationic resin and thermo-responsive nanoparticles. ► The composite film showed impressive thermo-responsiveness with morphological and optical changes. ► The composite film showed very high response speed around the critical transition temperature. ► “Smart substrates” were prepared for optically triggered actuation/sensing.