Di(pyridin‐4‐yl)aniline Derivatives with a Push‐Pull Electronic Structure: Synthesis and Electrochromic Properties

Abstract

Traditionally, electrochromic materials rely on counter redox materials like ferrocene to realize redox processes. In this work, two novel, closely related series of electrochromic materials bearing push‐pull electronic structure were designed and synthesised (N,N,N’,N’‐tetra(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,4‐phenylenediamine derivatives (TPPDs) and N,N,N′,N′‐tetra(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzidine derivatives (TPBDs)). When stimulated by an external electric field, both series of compounds exhibited intramolecular charge transfer because of their push‐pull electronic structures. Therefore, the TPPDs and TPBDs could undergo redox processes without the assistance of counter electrode chemicals. Furthermore, the TPPDs and TPBDs could replace the electrolyte that is required in conventional electrochromic devices (ECDs) because of their conductivity. This allowed the fabrication of a simple, single‐component ECD.

Electrochemical Preparation of Covalently Bonded PEDOT ‐ Graphene Oxide Composite Electrochromic Materials Using Thiophene‐2‐methylanine as Bridging Group

“…In recent years, conducting polymers (CP) have attracted much attention in the various research fields. They are widely used in the fields of electrochromism, supercapacitors, solar cells, light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), chemical and biological sensors, etc. Among CP, poly (3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) has become a research hotspot in the area of electrochromism due to its simple synthesis method, low cost, good film‐forming property and excellent thermochemical stability …”