A Solution-Processable (Tetraaniline-b -Polyethylene Glycol)₃ Star-Shaped Rod-Coil Block Copolymer with Enhanced Electrochromic Properties

Abstract

A novel electroactive star-shaped rod-coil copolymer composed of a benzene core and three symmetrically positioned tetraaniline-b-poly(ethylene glycol) arms, (TAni-b-PEG)3 rod-coil block copolymer, is synthesized successfully and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis, (1)H NMR, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. Uniform and high-quality (TAni-b-PEG)3 thin films onto indium tin oxide-coated glass surface are fabricated simply from its DMF solution. Resulting (TAni-b-PEG)3 copolymer thin films possess excellent electrochromic properties with a high optical contrast of 73.3%, superb coloration efficiency of 318.5 cm(2) C(-1) at 750 nm. Very short switching times, that is, 2.11 s and 2.14 s for coloring and bleaching times, respectively, are observed as well. The mechanism of these impressive electrochromic properties of (TAni-b-PEG)3 thin films possessed is proposed based on the atomic force microscopy investigation, star-shaped molecular geometry, synergetic electronic and ionic conductivity and amphiphilic self-assembly feature of (TAni-b-PEG)3 copolymer, which can self-assemble to form cylinder pattern consisting of quick pathways for electronic charges and ionic species, respectively.

Flexible and Robust Electro‐Optically Responsive Films Based on Novel Silica/Oligoaniline/Carbon Dots Composite

“…We surmised it might be possible to create composite films with properties similar to organic electronic materials by decorating electroactive components with ortho silicates units, cast them on an ITO surface, and crosslink the ortho silicates hydrolytically. [22][23][24][25] To improve electrochromic performance of these polymers (such as stability, switching rate, color gamut, and operating voltage, etc. To these ends we chose a combination of oligoanilines (based on our previous work) [9,10] and carbon dots (chosen for a number of reasons highlighted below).…”

Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of polyamic acid containing oligoaniline and triphenylamine

“…Recently, ample research work has been conducted on the design and synthesis of electrochromic polymers bearing oligoaniline segments, as a means to impart electroactivity and electrochromism into a series of polymeric architectures . In contrary to their parent polyaniline, the resulting electrochromic polymers bearing oligoaniline segments exhibit good solubility, processability, and tunability, while retaining much of polyaniline's electrochromic capability . The interaction and/or synergistic effect among the functional groups has also been utilized to improve the key parameters of electrochromism, including switching speed, coloration efficiency, lifetime, color gamut, and so forth.…”

Electroactive Amphiphiles for Addressable Supramolecular Nanostructures

“…Each oxidation state has a distinct associated colour, making such EAAs very attractive as electrochromic materials. Cao et al . synthesised a star‐shaped molecule consisting of a benzene core and three TANI‐polyethylene glycol arms.…”