Synthesis of a dipyrromethane functionalized monomer and optoelectrochromic properties of its polymer

A dipyrromethane functionalized monomer; 5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)dipyrromethane (BPDP) was synthesized. The structure of the monomer was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR and 13C NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. Electrochemical polymerization of BPDP was performed in acetonitrile (AN)/LiClO4. The resulting conducting polymer was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and electrical conductivity measurements. Spectroelectrochemical behavior and switching ability of P(BPDP) film were investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy. P(BPDP) revealed color changes between yellow and blue in the reduced and oxidized states, respectively. In order to investigate electrochromic properties and stability of the P(BPDP) in electrochromic device (ECDs) application, dual type polymer ECD based on P(BPDP) and poly(ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) were constructed. Spectroelectrochemistry, switching ability and stability of the devices were investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.