In this work, different compositions of lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) and tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) nanoparticles were doped into poly(vinylbutyral) (PVB) matrix to prepare PVB/LaB₆–ITO nanocomposite (PLINC) films by a solution casting method. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and ultraviolet–visible–near infrared spectroscopy (UV–vis–NIR) were employed to characterize the PLINCs. The TGA and UV–vis–NIR results reveal that the nanocomposite films possessed outstanding thermal stability. The temperature where 5 % weight loss of the PVB matrix was improved after the addition of LaB₆ and ITO particles and the property for blocking near infrared light was also enhanced as compared with the case of pure PVB film.

The structural, electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of GdB6 are studied using the first-principles calculations. Calculated values for magnetic and optical properties and lattice constant are found to be consistent with previously reported experimental results. The calculated results show that GdB6 is a perfect near-infrared absorption/reflectance material that could serve as a solar radiation shielding material for windows with high visible light transmittance, similar to LaB6, which is assigned to its plasma oscillation and a collective oscillation (volume plasmon) of carrier electrons. It was found that the magnetic 4f electrons of Gd are not relevant to the important optical properties of GdB6. These theoretical studies serve as a reference for future studies.