Conjugated Polymers for Photo-electrochromic Devices

Abstract

It is clear that the new generation smart windows will develop much more in the coming yearsand in this sense, new multifunctional materials will be used in this field. While the easy use of suchapplications makes people happy, on the other hand, it also highlights energy efficient housing andtransportation for humanity. There are some interesting parameters such as the control of daylight enteringor leaving smart windows, self-power supply, and display functionality. Among the various chromogeniccolor changes, electrochromic methods are the fastest and easiest to control. Electrochromic materials arehigh-performance materials that are preferred both in the scientific world and in technological devices withtheir interesting electrochemical and optical properties. These materials can be inorganic or organic based,such as transition metal oxides, viologen systems and conductive polymers. Among them, electrochromicconductive polymers attract more attention with their superior mechanical, electrochemical and opticalproperties in portable electronics. Moreover, the ease and low cost of the synthesis procedures, as well asits low power and performance superiority, further solidify its rise among other materials in this sense. Bymodifying the chemical structures of conductive electrochromic polymers (or monomers) as desired, sharpand vivid color changes can be observed even at room temperature. The development of new electrochromicpolymers can be with various modifications of the main chain, as well as side chain engineering,morphology control. Electrochromic properties of thin films of conductive polymers polymerized bychemical or electrochemical methods can be used in photo-electrochromic applications for informationstorage and various imaging purposes. In this study, it is desired to give information about conjugatedpolymers for self-powered electrochromic windows.