D-A-D type conjugated polymers in dual electrochromic devices tuning from green to blue colors

Abstract

In this study, the electrochemical and electro-optical properties of four different dual electrochromic devices were unraveled. In all devices, soluble donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) type conjugated electrochromic polymers based on didecyl substituted 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene and heterodiazole analogs were used, and they were coated on ITO electrochemically for the construction of the electrochromic devices. Because all D-A-D polymers and PEDOT are colorful in their neutral states and colorless in their oxidized states, it is possible to observe one-to-one colors of pure two polymers in their electrochromic devices rather than a mixture of colors. It was observed that devices changed their colors from the tunes of green to blue under applied external voltage. Switching times, coloration efficiencies and stabilities of the electrochromic devices were calculated as ranging from 1.0 to 6.0 s, 133–544 cm2/C and 54–91 %, respectively, after 5000 cycles. The P(PSeP-C10)-P(PNP-C10) device showed the highest coloration efficiency (544 cm2/C) as well as the best optical and electrochemical stabilities among the electrochromic devices after 5000 cycles (91 % and 92 %, respectively).