Open AccessFacile and economical synthesis of an electrochromic copolymer for black based on electropolymerization of thiophene and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene
Author(s) -
Yijie Tao,
Zhaoyang Zhang,
Xiaojun Xu,
Nannan Wang,
YongWu Zhou,
Haifeng Cheng
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.20.015121
Subject(s) - electrochromism , copolymer , materials science , boron trifluoride , thiophene , transmittance , electrochromic devices , electrochemistry , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , photochemistry , optoelectronics , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , catalysis , electrode , engineering
We report the facile and economical synthesis of an electrochromic copolymer for black based on electrochemical copolymerization of thiophene and 3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate. The resultant copolymer presents multicolor electrochromism with reversible color change between drab color and blue black. Furthermore, in the polar state the resultant copolymer shows strong and broad absorption in the whole visible region and then exhibits black color. The copolymer presents a transmittance variation of 25% at 522 nm, and corresponding response times for bleaching and coloration are 4.2 and 3.3 s, respectively. Good electrochemical stability can be achieved by the copolymer film, which retains 87% of its original electroactivity after 2000 cycles.