Recent advances in electrochromic conjugated polymers prepared by direct (hetero) arylation polymerization

Abstract

Electrochromic polymers have gained significant attention in electrochromism due to their distinctive features including facile preparation and enhanced processability, high optical contrast, fast response time, and low cost. Nevertheless, the synthesis of ECPs through coupling polymerization methods like Stille, Suzuki, Kumada, and Negishi are hindered by intricate synthetic steps and substantial production of toxic metal byproducts, which restricts their application. Compared with conventional polymerization methods, direct (hetero) arylation polymerization (DHAP) simplifies the polymer purification process, reduces the generation of toxic metal byproducts, and reduces the overall cost. Since 2006, DHAP polymerization has undergone rapid development in electrochromism. This review elucidates the basic parameters of electrochromism, analyzed the synthetic methodology of DHAP-prepared electrochromic conjugated polymers, and reviews recent advances of DHAP-prepared polymers in electrochromism including materials, devices, processing technologies and applications. Finally, we put forward our perspective on the future development of this field.