Durable electrochromic coatings prepared from electronically conductive poly(3HT-co-3TPP)-silica hybrid materials

Abstract

In this paper, a series of organic-inorganic hybrid materials, consisting of heterocyclic conjugated poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT, network, and silica particles, were successfully prepared for electrochromic studies. First, the heterocyclic co-polymer of poly[3-hexylthiophene-co-N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl) pyrrole], P(3HT-co-3TPP), containing trimethoxysilyl functional groups in the co-polymer backbone as the sol-gel precursor were prepared by conventional oxidative polymerization. Subsequently, P(3HT-co-3TPP)-silica hybrid sol-gel materials in the form of coatings were prepared by baking the microslides and ITO-coated electrodes that had been cast with homogeneous blending solutions containing co-polymer, acid-dopant, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), and a few drops of water. The microstructures of silica particles formed in the P(3HT-co-3TPP)-silica hybrid materials were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The as-prepared hybrid coatings had improved adhesion capability on inorganic glass substrates relative to the pure P3HT on the basis of electrochemical cyclic voltammetric studies and Scotch tape test evaluations. During potential cycling, the film color of P(3HT-co-3TPP)-silica hybrid materials and P3HT coated on ITO electrode changed from orange yellow (i.e., reduced form) to dark blue (i.e., oxidized form) as the redox reactions proceeded. Effects of the material composition of P3HT along with hybrid materials on the electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity were also studied.