Copper hexacyanoferrate(II) (Cuhcf(II)) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by using a simple and straightforward methodology using aqueous solution without the need of any further passivating agent. The 15 nm NPs (obtained by TEM) were fully characterized by XRD, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy that revealed a high number of structural defects. These structural defects are responsible to produce a strong internal dipole moment. This leads to an anisotropic growth onto the electrode surface by using the layer-by-layer technique. Specular Reflectance FTIR corroborates with our assumption. The defects are also responsible for the high electroactivity of the Cuhcf(II)NPs modified electrodes in sodium based electrolytes. Our results contrast with others in which the authors attributed the cell distortion as the main phenomenon. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.