Synthesis, photoluminescent and electrochromic properties of new aromatic poly(amine-hydrazide)s and poly(amine-1,3,4-oxadiazole)s derived from 4,4′-dicarboxy-4″-methyltriphenylamine

A series of new poly(amine-hydrazide)s I were prepared from the dicarboxylic acid 4,4′-dicarboxy-4″-methyltriphenylamine with terephthalic dihydrazide (TPH) and isophthalic dihydrazide (IPH), respectively, via the Yamazaki phosphorylation reaction. Polymers I were readily soluble in many common organic solvents, and could be solution cast into transparent, tough, and flexible films with good mechanical properties. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that the hydrazide polymers had Tg’s in the range of 222–223 °C and could be thermally cyclodehydrated into the corresponding oxadiazole polymers in the range of 300–400 °C. The resulting poly(amine-1,3,4-oxadiazole)s II exhibited Tg’s in the range of 269–283 °C, 10% weight-loss temperatures in excess of 511 °C, and char yield at 800 °C in nitrogen higher than 63%. These poly(amine-hydrazide)s I exhibited strong UV–Vis absorption bands at 351–355 nm in NMP solution. Their photoluminescence spectra in NMP solution and film showed maximum bands around 459–461 nm in the blue region for I series. The hole-transporting and electrochromic properties are examined by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods. Cyclic voltammograms of the poly(amine-hydrazide)s I prepared by casting polymer solution onto an indium-tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate exhibited one reversible oxidation redox couples at 1.32–1.33 V vs. Ag/AgCl in acetonitrile solution. All obtained poly(amine-hydrazide)s I revealed excellent stability of electrochromic characteristics, changing color from original pale yellowish to blue.